FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2001

Contact:
Tom Trainor
Performance Communications Group
(312) 419-0735

Jim Smith
Smith Dawson & Andrews
(202) 835-0740

WASHINGTON AND CHICAGO FIRMS PARTNER TO PROVIDE
COMMUNICATIONS AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MUSCLE

Chicago—Smith Dawson & Andrews (SDA), a Washington, DC-based public affairs firm, and the Performance Communications Group (PCG), a marketing and communications firm headquartered in Chicago, have formed a strategic partnership.

Together, the two firms will provide government relations expertise and strategic marketing and communications services to clients worldwide.

SDA, one of Washington's most respected and effective government relations/public affairs firms, specializes in public policy, legislative strategy and business development for corporate and government clients. Additionally, SDA identifies and secures additional sources of federal revenue for local and municipal governments. Its clients include: Northrup Grumman/Litton Corp., San Francisco International Airport, United Technologies Corporation, the Screen Actors Guild, the George Washington University, MADD, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Nationally recognized, PCG researches, develops, and implements sophisticated strategic marketing strategies for corporations, educational institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. It creates print and electronic communications, consults on fundraising and enrollment issues, and designs advertising for its clients. PCG's clients include: Northwestern University, Motorola, United Stationers, Arizona State University, Heinz, Keebler, Catholic Charities, and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

Dr. Ronald C. Willis, PCG's Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Government Relations, will bring his own 35 years of lobbying and Capitol Hill experience to the relationship.

The alliance came about from the realization that the firms' clients "could benefit from a combination of talents," says Tom Trainor, PCG's president. "We offer exceptional marketing and communications services; SDA offers extensive government relations expertise."

"Our government affairs clients will now have valuable access to a range of sophisticated marketing services that will ensure their messages are heard not only on Capitol Hill but throughout the country," agrees Jim Smith, SDA president. "We will offer a combination of services not provided by any other firm."

The partnership will have a national reach, with offices in Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.