MSLGROUP Selects Birch Family Services As Recipient Of $100,000 In Pro Bono Communications Counsel

NEW YORK, Aug. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MSLGROUP, Publicis Groupe's strategic communications and engagement network, today announced Birch Family Services as the recipient of the 2013 New York Generation Activation Be:CAUSE Grant.  In its fourth year, the program's theme is New Yorkers Enriching the Lives of New Yorkers and consists of up to $100,000 worth of pro bono communications counsel. This annual pro bono grant is part of a larger Generation Activation Initiative that represents MSLGROUP's commitment to corporate citizenship and empowers passionate Generation Y employees at the agency to get involved in the community.

An overwhelming number of New York-based non-profits applied for this year's grant, but Birch Family Services was selected for the important role they play in the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families throughout New York City.

"MSLGROUP is proud to be partnering with an organization that enriches the lives of so many members of our community," said Joel Curran, managing director, New York, MSLGROUP. "Birch Family Services is unique in that it provides support for individuals with autism at all stages of life.  The Be:CAUSE Grant will allow us to unify branding across their services and increase awareness so more families can take advantage of the resources they offer."

Founded in 1975, Birch Family Services consists of a team of more than 3,000, all working together to provide the finest education, habilitation, and residential services to people with autism and other developmental disabilities. The organization has grown from a few classrooms into a large network of schools, residences, and family support programs located throughout New York City. Committed to sharing their expertise widely for the benefit of those they serve, they also train hundreds of professionals throughout the tri-state area in the Birch Training Institute.

"We are thrilled to be selected as the 2013 MSLGROUP Be:CAUSE Grant recipient," said Gerald F. Maurer, Ph.D., CEO of Birch Family Services. "MSLGROUP's expertise and guidance will be crucial in helping Birch Family Services reach new individuals and families who will benefit from our programs. Birch Family Services has been part of the New York City community for 38 years and has served over 16,000 residents. The support of MSLGROUP's exceptional team will help further our mission and allow us to serve thousands more."

For more information on MSLGROUP's Be:CAUSE program and Grant, visit us on Facebook (http://on.fb.me/MSLBeCAUSE ) and/or Twitter (https://twitter.com/MSLBeCAUSE).

About Be:CAUSE

Be:CAUSE is MSLGROUP's effort to bring to life its passion for cause work and expertise as a leading communications and engagement agency in order to enrich the New York City metro community.  MSLGROUP established the Be:CAUSE initiative to provide employees with an opportunity to have a resounding effect within the community, while utilizing the large variety of expertise available within the agency. The initiative offers pro bono communications services to a selected local non-profit organization. Through Be:CAUSE, MSLGROUP strives to be a driving force behind organizations that, one community at a time, will make our world a better place to live.

About Generation Activation

Generation Activation is MSLGROUP's internal program designed to empower Gen-Y employees. The program is intended to create the next generation of agency leaders who have an entrepreneurial spirit and to empower members to drive innovative and revenue generating ideas. Generation Activation is comprised of three pillars: Community Connected, Be:CAUSE, and Trend-Y. Each of the pillars provides unique opportunities for Gen-Y employees to engage with the local and interoffice communities through philanthropic activities, pro bono PR support for non-profit organizations and thought leadership.

About MSLGROUP

MSLGROUP is Publicis Groupe's strategic communications and engagement group, advisors in all aspects of communication strategy: from consumer PR to financial communications, from public affairs to reputation management and from crisis communications to experiential marketing and events. With more than 3,500 people across close to 100 offices worldwide, MSLGROUP is also the largest PR network in fast-growing China and India. The group offers strategic planning and counsel, insight-guided thinking and big, compelling ideas – followed by thorough execution.

Learn more about us at: www.mslgroup.com + http://blog.mslgroup.com + Twitter + YouTube.

About Publicis Groupe

Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40] is one of the world's leading communications groups. We offer the full range of services and skills: digital (DigitasLBi, Razorfish, Rosetta, VivaKi), creative services (BBH, Leo Burnett, Publicis Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi), public affairs, corporate communications and events (MSLGROUP), media strategy, planning and buying (Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia) and healthcare communications, with Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG). Present in 108 countries, the Groupe employs 60,000 professionals.

www.publicisgroupe.com | Twitter:@PublicisGroupe | Facebook: www.facebook.com/publicisgroupe

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SOURCE MSLGROUP