CONTACT: Renate Geerlings
Qorvis Communications
202-448-3133
rgeerlings@qorvis.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Qorvis, PhRMA Announce New Partnership
Major Trade Association Taps Qorvis to Help Continue Image Development Campaign

WASHINGTON, DC – September 15, 2006 – Qorvis Communications, LLC, a leading independent public relations firm, today announced that the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the trade group representing the leading research-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the United States, has selected Qorvis to assist their nationwide strategic communications efforts. 

Since assuming the role of CEO at PhRMA more than a year ago, Billy Tauzin and his communications team, led by Ken Johnson, have been implementing an aggressive and effective public relations campaign. The strategy emphasizes the education of the general public and media about the organization’s core mission and values of advocacy for public policies that encourage the discovery of important new medicines for patients. Qorvis will assist PhRMA both in Washington, DC, and nationwide in its education efforts.

“Billy and Ken have reinvented and reinvigorated what a communications department for a trade association should be, and we believe that the partnership between two such creative and dynamic organizations as PhRMA and Qorvis will yield incredible results,” said Michael Petruzzello, Qorvis’ Managing Partner.

Qorvis’ innovative campaign-style approach will complement PhRMA’s new communications department, which has replaced its rigid issue silos with a flat, team-based, success-driven model, allowing for increased flexibility and creativity. 

“In choosing our consulting team, we looked at innovative agencies that understand how to win and are not stuck in the ways of the past,” remarked Senior Vice President Ken Johnson. “What we like most about Qorvis is their broad-based, results-oriented campaign approach to tackling complex public policy debates. They’ve assembled a first-rate team, and we’re excited to get started.” 

About Qorvis Communications, LLC.

Qorvis Communications is a client service driven public relations firm.  Formed in August 2000, Qorvis has offices in Washington, DC, and McLean, VA, 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 Patton Boggs is an investor in and strategic partner to Qorvis.  For more information, visit www.qorvis.com.  For Qorvis news, visit www.qorvisnews.com.