Engage PR Receives ''Best Workplaces for Commuters'' Designation; Agency Earns Award From Federal Agencies for Innovative Relief Program for Employee Commute Costs

Business Wire, August 29, 2006

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Engage PR, the premier public relations agency for technology companies spanning carrier, enterprise, home networking, and emerging mobility/wireless markets, announced today that it has received the coveted "Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM)" designation for its newly instituted program providing economic relief and conservation incentives for employees with high commute costs. The award, supported through a partnership by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), recognizes employers that demonstrate leadership in meeting the EPA's National Standard of Excellence in commuter benefits. Engage PR's program includes both assistance with escalating commute costs and monetary incentives for carpooling and purchasing more fuel-efficient cars.

"Engage PR started its commute costs relief program to help employees with the very high price of gas, but we also wanted to encourage them to take actions that promote conservation," said Molly M. Miller, Engage PR founder and principal. "This recognition by the EPA and DOT highlights the value of our program not just to Engage PR but to the environment. We will continue to look at ways we can expand this benefit and provide more information about alternative commute options."

To encourage use of the public transportation that serves the company's offices in Alameda, California, and Arlington, Virginia, Engage PR reimburses half the fare for commuting and provides employees with assistance in planning a commute on public transportation. Employees who form or participate in carpools receive a monthly stipend based on the number of days per month that they carpool. Employees who commute by car, and whose round trip is longer than the average distance traveled, receive a monthly stipend based on the number of extra miles. Finally, Engage PR provides a one-time bonus of $100 to any employee who changes to a car with 25 percent or better gas mileage than his or her current car, or a bonus of $200 if the new car has 50 percent or better gas mileage.

Best Workplaces for Commuters is an innovative, voluntary business-government program that provides national recognition and distinguishes employers offering outstanding commuter benefits such as free or low-cost bus passes, strong telework programs, carpool matching, and vanpool subsidies. Employers that meet the EPA's National Standards of Excellence in commuter benefits are placed on the list of Best Workplaces for Commuters -- a fast-growing mark of excellence in environmental leadership.

Through partnerships with public and private sector employers, Best Workplaces for Commuters is demonstrating that drive-alone commuting alternatives such as transit, carpools, and teleworking are economically beneficial and provide value to workers, employers, and the environment.

About Engage PR

Engage PR is a full-service public relations and communications company with a strong track record of promoting technology companies to market success. The firm's extensive domain expertise enables it to create strategy-driven, results-oriented programs that capture the interest and respect of investors, customers, partners, and industry influencers. Engage PR is based in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area/Silicon Valley with a satellite office in Arlington, VA to support its growing East Coast client base. Engage PR has twice been recognized as one of the "Best Places to Work in the Bay Area" by the San Francisco Business Times, East Bay Business Times, San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal, and Deloitte.

For more information about Engage PR, please refer to the agency's Web site at www.engagepr.com or contact Jeannette Bitz, Engage PR. Phone: (510) 748-8200, ext. 207 or jbitz@engagepr.com.