Argyle Communications wins top global award for communications management

With seven PR industry awards in 2007 -- and more than 30 since 2002 -- Toronto firm ranks among industry leaders

NEW ORLEANS, LA, June 27, 2007 - Argyle Communications is celebrating this week after receiving the highest international award in the communications profession -- the Gold Quill Award of Excellence from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). The award was presented at the IABC International Conference in New Orleans on Monday evening.

Argyle earned top marks in the economic, social and environmental development category for Use Your Voice to Prevent Child Abuse, an innovative 2006 campaign for the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies. The honour caps a banner year for the Argyle team, which earned seven awards from the IABC and the Canadian Public Relations Society. Since 2002, the Toronto-based firm has won more than 30 awards from these two major industry associations, making Argyle one of Canada's most acclaimed public relations agencies.

"The Argyle team is very proud to be recognized by its international peers, and even more proud to have succeeded in taking on the difficult topic of preventing child abuse in a positive, hopeful way," said Daniel Tisch, president of Argyle Communications. "We dedicate this award to our outstanding team, and to Ontario's child welfare workers -- the unsung heroes who make life better for tens of thousands of vulnerable children every year."

The first-ever Use Your Voice Challenge, held at Toronto's Eaton Centre on October 2, 2006, challenged local personalities and the public to speak as loudly as possible into a decibel measurement device to determine who had Toronto's largest voice against child abuse. Participants included Toronto Mayor David Miller, a range of prominent local TV and radio personalities, and countless members of the general public who lined up to join the contest and take home material about preventing child abuse.

The campaign generated stories and photos in print, broadcast and online media, reaching a total audience of almost 10.9 million, as measured by the CPRS’ Media Relations Rating Points system. Staff estimated that at least 1,000 people stopped to watch at least a portion of the event over the course of 1.5 hours.

"We are very grateful to the staff of Argyle Communications and of Toronto’s Children’s Aid Societies who organized and hosted this wonderful and very significant event," said Jeanette Lewis, executive director of the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies. "The Use Your Voice Challenge highlighted the importance of preventing and reporting abuse in a powerful way."

About Argyle

Founded in 1979, Argyle Communications is one of North America’s most respected independent public relations firms. Argyle clients include major brands in consumer marketing, financial services, health sciences, manufacturing, technology and public affairs. Argyle is based in Toronto and has affiliate offices across the continent and around the world.