Planned Television Arts Celebrates 50th Anniversary; Re-launches as Finn Partners MEDIA CONNECT to Reflect Expanding Capabilities

NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- What do Jon Stewart, Jodie Foster, Pier 1 Imports, Motel 6, Tom Cruise, Taco Bell, Rosie O'Donnell, The Rolling Stones, and Planned Television Arts (PTA) have in common?  They all turn 50 years old in 2012. PTA, one of the nation's premier book publicity firms and media placement specialty shops, today marked its golden anniversary by launching its new name, MEDIA CONNECT.  MEDIA CONNECT is part of Finn Partners, a Ruder Finn Group company and one of today's fastest-growing PR agencies, specializing in the full spectrum of public relations services, including digital and social media.

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Finn Partners MEDIA CONNECT serves companies, nonprofits, associations, publishers and authors with full service media campaigns.  It is especially well known for its innovations in the Satellite TV field and Morning Drive Radio Tour arena.  Today, through its MC Interactive group, it is helping transform the way social media impacts its clients.  MEDIA CONNECT currently employs 20 full time team members with headquarters in New York City and an office in Washington, DC. 

"While many people know us for our prowess in placing authors and spokespeople with traditional media, the truth is we've spent a great deal of time and energy over the past five years enhancing our online and social media offerings. We wanted to ensure our name accurately reflected the work that we are already doing on a daily basis," said David Hahn, managing director of Finn Partners MEDIA CONNECT. "It's no secret that the way people consume media has changed – it's important that those we promote are out in front, connecting with people across all mediums. MEDIA CONNECT (http://www.media-connect.com) captures the essence of who we are and what we do."

Planned Television Arts was founded in 1962 by Mike Levine based on the huge upswing in TV's popularity and TV purchases reaching a tipping point.  The group's early services included organizing fashion shows for clients to exhibit their designs on popular programs such as The Mike Douglas Show and The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, which also debuted in 1962.  The firm started specializing in book publicity in the mid 70's doing tours for authors Mickey Spillane and Wayne Dyer.

Since then authors ranging from Jimmy Carter to Dean Koontz and Sophia Loren to Tom Brokaw have benefitted from PTA's unique arsenal of book publicity vehicles.  In addition, a wide variety of organizations including JWT, The Sierra Club, AAA, Consumer Reports and National Geographic have utilized MEDIA CONNECT to reach key audiences through its Satellite TV, Radio, and Online Tours. 

"We are proud to celebrate 50 years of Planned Television Arts success, and to recognize the team as they transition to their new brand, MEDIA CONNECT," said Peter Finn, founding partner of Finn Partners. "Since Ruder Finn acquired PTA in 1993, we've enjoyed a unique collaboration of shared services that has reaped tremendous benefits for our clients. Now, as part of the Finn Partners team, we expect to create even more opportunities for MEDIA CONNECT to serve our network."

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