Five Independent Public Relations Firms Join Forces To Launch Lumin
First-of-its-kind agency collaborative will emphasize innovation and
joint product development
Richmond, Va., (June 26, 2003) -Five of the nation's leading mid-sized
public relations agencies announced today that they have formed Lumin,
the industry's first "intellectual collaborative," under which the firms will
work together to support clients with breakthrough ideas, innovative service
offerings, strategy and expanded resources.
The founding member agencies include Carter Ryley Thomas (Richmond,
Va.), PainePR (Los Angeles), Padilla Speer Beardsley (Minneapolis), Patrice
Tanaka & Company, Inc. (New York), and Peppercom (New York). The firms
have nearly 300 employees, 11 offices and approximately $35 million in fees.
A shared passion to develop "what's next" in public relations consulting
services inspired the group's creation, according to Mark Raper, chairman of
Carter Ryley Thomas and chairman of Lumin. "Research we conducted with
corporate communications decision-makers made it very clear that ideas
and innovation are top priorities," Raper said. "Each of our agencies brings
diverse creative and strategic talents that, when combined, will allow us to
deliver an even higher degree of innovative thinking and problem solving
capabilities. Our clients and prospects have everything to gain by tapping
into this resource."
A Unique Niche
Lumin's charter differs in principle and practice from agency networks,
which focus primarily on bringing together independent public relations
firms that represent different geographic regions of the world. Lumin is the
first effort in the public relations industry to bring together selected best
in class firms to focus on collectively developing and branding intellectual
property. Bottom-line impact and a keen understanding of the business
issues at the heart of a communication challenge will underscore all product
development and consulting assignments.
Raper added that, while the five founding Lumin member firms have built
their own national reputations as independent organizations, access to
broader industry sector expertise and capabilities will strengthen each firm's
competitive position and the services available to its current clients. Lumin
will allow each of the five firms to compete with larger agencies on a totally
new level "where the best ideas win."
"Where innovation is concerned, we think we have a real competitive
advantage over traditionally structured agencies that hinder the sharing
of information and talent because of antiquated cultures, profit center
mentalities and rigid practice areas," said Raper. "We intend to rely on
a very strong understanding of core business issues - something we as
entrepreneurial firms bring to the table - and apply that knowledge to clients'
communications needs."
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About Lumin
Founded in 2003, Lumin is an intellectual collaborative of like-minded, independent PR firms dedicated to developing and providing next-generation communications solutions for mid- to large- size companies around the world. Lumin is composed of five leading mid-sized firms that include: Carter Ryley Thomas, Padilla Speer Beardsley, PainePR, Patrice Tanaka & Company, Inc., and Peppercom. The collaborative consists of nearly 300 professionals in 11 offices throughout the U.S. and Europe. The Board of Directors includes Mark Raper and Mike Mulvihill from Carter Ryley Thomas, Lynn Casey and Matt Kucharski from Padilla Speer Beardsley, David Paine and Daryl McCullough from PainePR, Patrice Tanaka and Ellen LaNicca
from Patrice Tanaka & Company, Inc. and Steve Cody and Ed Moed from Peppercom. Additional information is available at www.luminllc.com.
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