Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Selects MS&LGroup as New PR Agency

CHICAGO, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC®-CNI) has selected MS&LGroup for public relations and social media marketing services after a competitive agency review.  RMHC-CNI is a non-profit organization focused on providing a "home away from home" to keep families of hospitalized children together.

"Families who stay at our Houses find care and comfort during the darkest days of their lives.  Last year we hosted more than 22,000 family nights and, many nights, all four of our Houses were full.  It was critical for us to find a PR agency that could help us reach our fundraising goals, activate volunteers, and engage the community in the development of our new House," said Doug Porter, chief executive officer, RMHC-CNI. "The team at MS&LGroup really understood our communications goals and showed a passion for our mission with an innovative, engaging marketing strategy."

In 2012, RMHC-CNI is set to open the world's largest Ronald McDonald House. The House will support families at the new Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago in addition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Prentice Women's Hospital & the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. The Chicago office of MS&LGroup will work closely with RMHC-CNI to engage audiences through consumer media relations, social media and digital communications, events and partnerships with other organizations.  

"It is an honor to be working with RMHC-CNI to help bring the world's largest Ronald McDonald House to life," said Joan Cetera, Chicago consumer group director, MS&LGroup.  "This is an exciting time for the charity and for the city of Chicago and we're eager to deliver our multi-faceted marketing and communications approach to increase awareness of RMHC's programs and the Streeterville Ronald McDonald House."

RMHC-CNI joins MS&LGroup's robust portfolio of cause marketing and non-profit clients including Rebuilding Together, Tampax/Always Protecting Futures and Dawn Saves Wildlife.  

About RMHC-CNI

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC®-CNI) is to improve the health, well-being and education of children through our core programs.

Our four Houses provide a "home away from home" to keep families together.  The Houses allow families to eat, sleep and find the emotional support they need – just blocks from where their child is being treated. To continue our mission of serving families in crisis, RMHC-CNI is building a new Ronald McDonald House – the largest in the world – right here in Chicago.  Due to open in 2012 at 211 East Grand in Streeterville, this House will support the needs of families with children at the new Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Prentice Women's Hospital & the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.  With 14-stories of care and comfort, the House will include 86 guest rooms, a rooftop healing deck and a kitchen filled with home-cooked meals and supportive conversation. For more information visit: www.RonaldHouseChicago.com.

About MS&LGroup

MS&LGroup is one of the world's top five PR and Events networks, specialists in public relations, public affairs, branding, corporate and financial communications, social media marketing and events. Operating in wholly owned and affiliate offices in more than 80 countries spanning the Americas, EMEA and Asia, MS&LGroup provides many of the world's largest companies and most recognized brands with best-in-class communication strategies to help them reach their business and communication goals. www.mslgroup.com

MS&LGroup is part of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577], the world's third largest communications group. With activities spanning 104 countries and 43,000 professionals, Publicis Groupe offers a complete range of advertising services through three global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, and two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Media consultancy and buying is offered through two worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; and interactive and digital marketing led by Digitas and Razorfish. Publicis Groupe recently launched VivaKi to leverage the combined scale of the autonomous operations of Digitas, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group, Denuo and ZenithOptimedia to develop new services, tools, and next generation digital platforms. Web site: www.publicisgroupe.com.

SOURCE MS&LGroup