Business Services Industry

Ernst & Young's James D. Speros Wins Communicator of the Year Award

Business Wire, Feb 21, 2001

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--February 21, 2001

James D. Speros, national director of external communications at professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP, was named the "Communicator of the Year" today by the Business Marketing Association of New York at a luncheon ceremony at the St. Regis Hotel.

The "Communicator of the Year" Award recognizes one company for its outstanding communications and marketing campaign. The board of directors of the Business Marketing Association and a distinguished panel of judges select the winner based on the overall campaign's clarity, creativity, and brand-building attributes, and look for a campaign that has set itself apart from the crowd.

This is the 34th year the award has been given.

Speros was presented the annual marketing-industry award for Ernst & Young's integrated marketing campaign, From Thought to Finish(TM), which has been running for two years. The campaign reinforces Ernst & Young's superior understanding of the business issues relevant to the changing economy. Elements of the campaign included public relations outreach, advertising, sponsorships, events, online marketing and thought leadership.

Ernst & Young's integrated marketing strategy has delivered powerful results. Based on research the firm conducted among more than 500 CEOs and CFOs of companies with annual revenues in excess of $200 million dollars, awareness of Ernst & Young has increased 73 percent in the past two years. Significantly, these senior business executives say that Ernst & Young is the "most likely" firm they would contact for tax, audit or corporate finance engagements.

Among the communications agencies contributing to Ernst & Young's integrated marketing efforts are D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles (advertising), Hill and Knowlton (public relations and public affairs), GlobalWorks (online), and Clarion Marketing (events and sponsorships).

D'Arcy, one of the country's leading advertising agencies, created the firm's From Thought to Finish(TM) campaign, which was launched in February 1999. The tagline conveys Ernst & Young's ability not only to develop fresh ideas that build value for a client, but also to execute and see those ideas through to completion.

The Business Marketing Association, founded in 1922 as a service organization for marketing professionals, has recognized creative campaigns for 34 years.

Steve Howe, vice president of advertising at the Wall Street Journal, sponsor of the 2001 "Communicator of the Year" award, said, "We are pleased to sponsor the Business Marketing of the Year of New York awards. It's a wonderful honor and it is more special when we can honor an outstanding leader in the industry like Jim Speros."

Under Speros's leadership, Ernst & Young has received several awards for its integrated marketing efforts. These include:

-- The 2000 MediaWeek "Plan of the Year" for the best campaign plan spending
more than $25 million;

-- The District Two American Advertising Federation Citation of
Excellence/American Advertising Awards 2000, awarded to D'Arcy/New York for the
Ernst & Young 30-second television spot "Hummingbird";

-- Delahaye/MediaLink study rating Ernst & Young as the most effective and
responsive public relations group among all the Big Five professional services
firms.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services, helps clients to quickly and confidently make financial decisions designed to enhance value. Its 77,000 people in more than 130 countries have the industry and financial experience to provide fresh perspectives on operating successfully in the new economy. Ernst & Young offers traditional audit and tax services, as well as customized services in corporate finance, online security, risk management, the valuation of intangibles and e-business acceleration. In addition, legal services are available in various parts of the world where permitted. A collection of Ernst & Young's latest ideas on the new economy can be found at www.ey.com/thoughtcenter.> Ernst & Young refers to the U.S. firm of Ernst & Young LLP and other members of the global Ernst & Young organization.

About the Business Marketing Association

The Business Marketing Association serves the professional, educational and career development needs of business-to-business marketers: advertisers, agencies, media and their partner suppliers. BMA international headquarters, located in Chicago, supports chapters in the major business centers of North America and a growing at-large membership.