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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Qorvis Communications Launches State-of-the-Art Media Training Center
New Facility Coaches Lawmakers, Business Leaders and Talk Show Stars

Washington, DC – October 6, 2004 - Qorvis Communications today announced the launch of a new state-of-the-art media and presentation training center. As a fully functioning television and radio studio, the center will be dedicated full time to training people in the art of communications.

The center trains professionals from CEOs and political candidates to embassy spokespeople and talk show personalities to develop and maintain a compelling and meaningful message, interview and debate on live TV and radio, handle ambush journalism, speak with investors and manage crisis communications, among other skills.

“The launch of the media training center gives us yet another differentiator among communications firms in Washington and the nation,” said Michael Petruzzello, managing partner of Qorvis. “In addition to media and crisis training, our team will help politicians prepare for debates and corporate executives prepare for meetings with the media or other key audiences.”

The center offers coaching by a unique team of experts from The U.S. Senate, the White House and national and international newsrooms who have experience with major political campaigns, crises and news events. The team includes:

• Rich Masters, a former anchor and reporter with more than 15 years on-air experience. He also served seven years as communications director and campaign strategist for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu.
• Don Goldberg, an expert in crisis management and congressional testimony. He managed the White House’s response to the Lewinsky scandal and played a key role in damage control on every recent major political scandal and investigation from Iran Contra to Waco to campaign finance abuse.
• Jennifer Stoltz, an award-winning journalist with more than 10 years of experience. She comes to Qorvis from CNN’s Washington bureau, where she covered law, politics and international affairs. She also worked at the Republican National Committee during the tenure of Chairman Haley Barbour.
• Nina Donaghy, joining from the BBC World Service News in London. Previously, she was based in Washington, DC for five years, serving as producer for the BBC covering the state department, and then as on air correspondent for Reuters television. Prior to that, she was based in Washington, where she gained experience both behind the camera as a producer and in front of the camera as a reporter covering political, diplomatic and financial affairs.

As a full-service communications firm, Qorvis has already trained high profile media contributors including embassy spokesmen Adel Al-Jubeir, U.S. Senate candidates, senior corporate management teams, as well as print journalists who are regular contributors to national political talk and news shows.

All courses are intensive and customized to prepare clients to face any media or professional storm – from giving an interview on “The Today Show” to testifying before the U.S. Congress.

"I am really excited about the opportunity to begin giving our clients the benefit of all of our years of experience in front of and behind the camera,” said Masters. “The blend and depth of the experience in the Qorvis staff allows us to give our trainees an unmatched level of insight and skill when dealing with members of the media."

About Qorvis
Qorvis Communications is a client service driven public relations firm. 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, grassroots campaigns, public and media relations, marketing communications, Internet-based campaigns and research and opinion surveys.  The Washington, DC based law firm of Patton Boggs is an investor in and strategic partner to Qorvis.