WORLDCOM Chair Presented to PRSA Members the Benefits of Joining a Public Relations Network

Business Wire, June 20, 2007

Melissa Sturges Led Breakout Session at PRSA Counselors Academy Spring Conference

NEW YORK -- Fourth graph, first sentence of release should read: During the discussion, Sturges, President of Sturges Word Communications, Inc., a brand strategy and marketing communications firm based in Kansas City, MO, covered important topics such as: (sted During the discussion, Sturges, President of Sturges World Communications, Inc., a brand strategy and marketing communications firm based in Kansas City, MO, covered important topics such as:).

The corrected release reads:

WORLDCOM CHAIR PRESENTED TO PRSA MEMBERS THE BENEFITS OF JOINING A PUBLIC RELATIONS NETWORK

Melissa Sturges Led Breakout Session at PRSA Counselors Academy Spring Conference

Strategic alliances have become a popular avenue for many independently-owned public relations firms in order to remain competitive with larger corporate agencies, but when it comes to knowing what to expect and how to calculate return on an affiliation investment, many are left in the dark.

WORLDCOM Public Relations Group Americas Region Chair Melissa Sturges shed light on the benefits of joining a strategic public relations alliance, during a breakout discussion on June 11 at the 2007 PRSA Counselors Academy Spring Conference on June 10-12 in Los Cabos, Mexico.

"Among other benefits, joining a public relations network gives firms the ability to tap expert counsel from firms around the globe," Sturges said.

During the discussion, Sturges, President of Sturges Word Communications, Inc., a brand strategy and marketing communications firm based in Kansas City, MO, covered important topics such as:

* Member needs and benefits

* Expectations of member partners

* Network structure and operations standards

* Perceptions

* The costs and return on investment

"As a member, the benefits are immediate and obvious - instant access to worldwide expertise and resources that help agencies better serve current clients; the ability to directly compete on service with multinational firms during the request for proposal process; and, the great pleasure of problem solving and idea generating with peers in a noncompetitive environment to improve firms' operations," added Sturges.

Founded more than 40 years ago, Counselors Academy is a professional interest section of the Public Relations Society of America dedicated to providing principals and senior counselors of public relations firms with the resources to grow their firms and the counseling skills of their people.

About the WORLDCOM Public Relations Group

WORLDCOM Public Relations Group is the world's leading network of independently owned public relations counseling firms, with some 100 offices in 133 cities worldwide. Established in 1988, it was formed so that the strongest, most capable independent public relations firms could serve national, international and multi-national clients while retaining the flexibility and client-service focus inherent in independent agencies. Through The WORLDCOM Group, clients have on-demand access to in-depth communications expertise from professionals who understand the language, culture and customs of the geographic arenas in which they operate. Visit www.worldcomgroup.com for more information.