Invest Atlanta Appoints Finn Partners as International Agency of Record

NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Invest Atlanta has retained Finn Partners, a Ruder Finn Group company, to be the international agency of record for the official economic development agency for the City of Atlanta.  Finn Partners was retained to assist the organization as it transforms from the Atlanta Development Authority into Invest Atlanta. Invest Atlanta was officially announced on January 19 at the Mayor's Annual State of the City.

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The agencies are working with the Invest Atlanta team and its Board of Directors, chaired by Mayor Kasim Reed, on the development and execution of a strategic public relations program focusing on the new direction and focus of Invest Atlanta.  The agency shares the account with Atlanta-based Wilbert News Strategies who oversees the local program outreach.

The agencies are helping Invest Atlanta to strengthen its national and international profile to enhance its position in a 21^st century globalized economy. Additionally, the teams will support efforts to increase Atlanta's competitiveness, facilitate job creation and retention, creating an environment conducive to business, investments, and securing stakeholder and community support.

The communication strategy involves aggressive media relations initiatives, promoting key industry clusters, focusing on Atlanta's success stories, developing a strong online presence and utilizing key spokespeople.   

"Finn Partners presented fresh thinking and new ideas, while remaining extremely focused on our strategic initiatives," said Invest Atlanta's President and CEO Brian McGowan. "Our new communications team provides an ideal balance of local, national, and international presence and knowledge to tell Atlanta's story and position the city to be economically competitive overall."

"Atlanta has an amazing renewed energy and offers so much to businesses and residents.  We are thrilled to be part of this momentum and to inform the public on a national and international level," said Richard Funess, senior managing partner, Finn Partners.

"Our plan is goal-oriented and we will help define and differentiate the city of Atlanta to our target audiences by focusing in specific areas that will include and go beyond traditional media. Our dialogue with the public will be based on delivering consistent key messages and focusing on all that Atlanta and Invest Atlanta offers," commented Gail Moaney, managing partner and director of Finn Partners' Travel and Economic Development practice. 

About Invest Atlanta

Invest Atlanta is the official economic development authority for the City of Atlanta.  Its purpose is to strengthen Atlanta's economy and global competitiveness in order to create increased opportunity and prosperity for the people of Atlanta.

Chaired by the Mayor of Atlanta, and governed by a nine-member board of directors, Invest Atlanta's programs and initiatives focus on developing and fostering public/private partnerships to create jobs, grow the economy, revitalize neighborhoods, attract investment, spur innovation, and encourage entrepreneurship. To achieve these goals, Invest Atlanta leverages the benefits of bond financing, revolving loan funds, housing financing, tax increment financing (TIF), and tax credits.

For more information on how Invest Atlanta can provide solutions for you or your business, contact us at: 404-880-4100, e-mail: [email protected], or visit us at: www.InvestAtlanta.com. To get the latest updates, follow us on Twitter @InvestAtlanta, and Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/InvestAtlanta.

About Finn Partners

Finn Partners builds on the outstanding legacy of Ruder Finn while shaping a bold new future in which innovation and partnership are strong drivers of the brand. Finn Partners specializes in the full spectrum of public relations services, including digital and social media. Our specialty areas include technology, consumer, travel/economic development, global issues, arts and public and corporate affairs. Headquartered in New York City, the company has regional operations in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and Jerusalem, and leverages international capabilities via Ruder Finn's global network of offices and affiliates. Find us at www.finnpartners.com and follow us on Twitter @finnpartners.

About Ruder Finn Group

Ruder Finn Group is one of the most prominent independent PR agency holding companies, owned and led by the four siblings of the Finn family.  Its operations have wholly owned offices in the United States, Asia and 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 Finn Partners