Hyundai's Hope on Wheels Selects Ruder Finn as Agency of Record

LOS ANGELES, March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ruder Finn has been awarded a three-year contract as the agency of record (AOR) by Hyundai Hope on Wheels, an independent 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization which is supported nationwide by all of Hyundai's more than 800 dealers and Hyundai Motor America.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels selected Ruder Finn because of its strong and involved senior leadership and its commitment to creating an experienced team of subject-matter experts. The account will be headquartered in Los Angeles and led by Joe Foster, vice president, Ruder Finn/West, who will manage a national team of associates from across the company's offices in San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, Washington DC and New York. Overall program budget estimate is high six figures. The program will be overseen by RF/West's managing director, Howard Solomon.  

"The Ruder Finn team proved that they were the right partner for us by bringing keen insights and ideas, as well as demonstrating the chemistry and commitment we were looking for," commented Zafar Brooks, director, Government Relations and Diversity Outreach of Hyundai Motor America. "We have a lot of work to do, and the agency's ability to scale quickly, its commitment to partnership and its understanding of the significance of our mission won both our hearts and votes."

The goal for this effort is to bring national attention to childhood cancer and the associated survivorship issues. Since 1998 Hyundai and its dealers have supported the fight against childhood cancer. At the end of 2010, Hyundai Hope on Wheels will have donated more than $23 million to children's hospitals nationwide to help kids fight cancer.  Additionally, its Hope on Wheels Tour traveled to 42 children's hospitals across the country and donated more than $2 million to support further training and research for doctors involved in childhood cancer research.

"Being awarded AOR by Hyundai Hope on Wheels is a both a phenomenal opportunity and an honor," noted Solomon. "My team and I are eager to work alongside Hyundai in its effort to help children with their fight against cancer. This will undoubtedly be among our most rewarding efforts, and we're thrilled to help them fulfill their mission."

Ruder Finn kicked off its partnership with Hyundai Hope on Wheels on March 1, 2011. The agency will support both its annual Hope on Wheels Tour, which is the united effort of Hyundai dealers across the country to raise awareness about childhood cancer and celebrate the lives of the courageous children battling the disease, as well as the organization's activities over the course of the year, including its major push in September, which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

For more information on Hyundai Hope on Wheels, please visit www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org.

About Ruder Finn

Ruder Finn is one of the world's largest independent PR agencies, with wholly-owned offices in the U.S., in Asia, Europe and an affiliate network throughout Latin America.  Expertise includes reputation management, branding, cultural and social issues, and intent driven social media through its digital practices.

SOURCE Ruder Finn, Inc.