FoodMinds Jump Starts 2012 with a Powerful First Quarter: Expands Client Portfolio and Talent Roster!

CHICAGO, April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- FoodMinds, which was recently ranked by O'Dwyer's as the #5 food and beverage public relations firm in the U.S., continues to grow this year with a new Chicago office location, eight new client partnerships and an expanding roster of employees.

New Client Partnerships

FoodMinds secured eight new client relationships in the first quarter of 2012, expanding its portfolio at a rapid rate with leading food and ingredient companies, commodities and associations. New to FoodMinds' client portfolio are the American Heart Association, Can Manufacturer's Institute, OnVu, Almond Board of California and Micropharma, among others. FoodMinds is leading development and implementation of a variety of health and wellness initiatives on behalf of its new client partners, including thought leader communications, strategic planning, message development media relations and crisis management.

"We're in an ever-changing food and nutrition environment, with multiple voices driving consumer recommendations – from the White House and Capitol Hill to scientists, registered dietitians, chefs and bloggers," said Susan Pitman, MA, RD, FoodMinds partner. "FoodMinds understands these diverse audiences and optimizes the intersection of public policy, nutrition science and consumer perception to help clients develop novel, effective food and nutrition programs."

FoodMinds Talent Roster Grows

The FoodMinds team is comprised of more than 60 experts in the U.S. and key regions around the globe, including communications specialists, registered dietitians and nutrition scientists. In the first quarter of 2012, four experts joined the FoodMinds employee roster:

• Erin DeSimone, MS, RD, LDN, managing director, is a leader in the food, nutrition, health and wellness communications arena, with more than 17 years of experience. She specializes in science translation, application and education for a variety of clients and health professional, thought leader and consumer audiences, as well as manages health and nutrition-related marketing programs;
• Ashley Laatz, senior account executive, previously worked for the White House and Weber Shandwick, developing a diverse background in public affairs and food and nutrition marketing. She specializes in crisis and issues management, digital communications, advocacy outreach, nutrition affairs and grassroots campaigns;
• Kathryn Scott, office coordinator, has several years experience as an office coordinator, most recently working at APCO Worldwide; and
• Maureen Varnon joined FoodMinds from Porter Novelli as managing director. She brings more than 20 years of public relations and marketing experience, with expertise in integrated account management, crisis counsel, traditional and social media relations, and strategic planning in food and nutrition issues for a variety of multi-faceted consumer packaged goods companies and commodity associations.

"We pride ourselves on bringing together the right mix of talented and seasoned people to challenge the status quo and achieve great things," said Bill Layden, FoodMinds partner. "We apply our knowledge, critical thinking and connections in food and nutrition to create ideas, strategies and programs to help our clients tell a better story that makes a difference."

About FoodMinds

Founded in 2006, FoodMinds is a food and nutrition company that harnesses science, public affairs and communications to help its clients tell a better story that makes a difference. Ranked the #5 food and beverage public relations firm in the U.S. by O'Dwyer's in 2012, FoodMinds works with a range of food companies, commodities and associations, such as the American Heart Association, Dairy Management Inc., Hass Avocado Board and Kellogg Company. Visit www.FoodMinds.com to learn more.

SOURCE FoodMinds