Contact: Scott Warner
703-744-7824
swarner@qorvis.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

QORVIS COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCES KEY FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR 2002

Revenue Grew 52 Percent Over 2001;
Adds Eight Clients in Second Half of 2002; Four in First Two Months of 2003;
Company Emerges As Largest Independent PR Firm Based In DC Area

Washington , DC – March 12, 2003 – Qorvis Communications LLC, a privately held integrated communications firm, today released some of its key financial results for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2002.  The Company said fee revenues for the year grew to $10.7 million, a 52 percent increase over the $7.0 million in revenues achieved in 2001, which represented a 73 percent increase over revenues in the prior year. 2003 fee income is currently projected to increase another 25 percent.  The Company also said its operating margin grew by 177 percent over 2002, and that it ended the year with what it called "an extremely healthy balance sheet." 

In the second half of the year, the Company added eight new clients, including a global leader in consumer products, a major national trade association and several technology companies and organizations.  In addition, the firm boosted its employee roster to 42 employees with the addition of new partners, managing directors, directors and associates. 

 Managing Partner Michael Petruzzello said: "Our results would be considered strong in any economic environment, but given the present conditions, when most other public relations firms are reporting only modest growth or even contraction, we couldn't be more pleased." 

David Whitmore, Qorvis COO and CFO, emphasized that the revenue gains were associated with an increase in net margin, which produced a strong balance sheet.  "Our operating profit for the year was in excess of 30 percent compared to just shy of 20 percent achieved in the prior year.  This strong financial performance allowed us to end the year with a balance sheet that shows no debt and a sizeable cash position.  We will be able to leverage that balance sheet to make certain we have the high quality resources we need to continue to grow organically, and consider acquisitions that may accelerate our growth," he said.

Doug Poretz , who is a founding partner of the firm along with Petruzzello, said: "It has been our goal from the start to be a world class communications firm.  Our results and our resources are consistent with that goal.  We believe we are now the largest independently owned PR firm based in the Washington, DC area, and we certainly stand apart by our broad range of services that are locally based.  We have been able to create a firm that ties all of our various areas of expertise together seamlessly, and that differentiator is clearly resonating in the market," he said.   

Qorvis also announced the addition of four new clients in 2003: CMS Information Services, QuadraMed Corporation, SI International and Springboard Enterprises.  CMS specializes in providing government clients information technology consulting primarily in financial systems and network solutions.  QuadraMed is dedicated to improving healthcare delivery by providing innovative healthcare information technology and services.  SI International is a provider of information technology and network solutions primarily to the federal government.   Springboard Enterprises is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to accelerating women's access to the equity markets. The organization produces programs that educate, showcase and support entrepreneurs as they seek equity capital and grow their companies.

About Qorvis
Qorvis Communications is widely regarded as the largest independently owned public relations firm based in the Greater Washington, DC area.  Formed in August 2000, Qorvis has offices in Washington, DC and McLean, Virginia, and provides its clients with expertise in the areas of investor and financial relations, public affairs, grass roots campaigns, public and media relations, marketing communications and research and opinion surveys.  The Washington, DC based law firm of Patton & Boggs is an investor in and strategic partner to Qorvis.