Winner: Deveney Communication
When Hurricane Isaac slammed into Southeast Louisiana in August 2012, New Orleans-based Deveney Communication (DC) went without electricity, phone service or access to the Web for nearly a week. But DC didn’t miss a beat. Days before Isaac’s landfall DC activated its Office Evacuation Plan, setting up team members to work from remote locations across the United States and continue counseling clients.
Despite the effects of hurricanes, the recession and the BP Oil Spill, DC continues to grow, with revenue up a whopping 75% in 2012, compared with 2011. In addition to specializing in crisis management, the 16-year-old agency develops strategic campaigns for clients working in the manufacturing, healthcare and food and beverage sectors. It also works with clients in the nonprofit and education arenas.
DC’s Super Fit Firm model uses its corps of PR executives to bring in expertise in specific practices and leverages partnerships for when DC’s clients need expanded services. The makes for a nimble PR operation, as DC is able help its clients maximize their budgets. Several Fortune 500 companies have responded in kind, with current client including Dow Chemical, Exxon-Mobile and Proctor & Gamble.
Nimbleness aside, DC is staying on top of the dramatic changes in PR. In 2012 the agency introduced advertising and digital media services, which together accounted for 30% of last year’s billings.
Honorable Mentions:
- Adfero Group
- Affect
- InkHouse Media + Marketing
- March Communications
- Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications
- Singer Associates Public Affairs/Public Relations
- Solomon McCown & Company, Inc.
- Warschawski