To Advance Study of Effective Management of Climate Change, MS&LGroup Partners With the George Washington University

WASHINGTON, April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- MS&LGroup North America, one of the world's leading communications firms, has partnered with the George Washington University Institute for Corporate Responsibility (ICR) to help build a deeper understanding of the connection between management strategies and preventing climate change. The firm is sponsoring a $5,000 prize to the graduate-level student group that presents the best analysis of how management systems can contribute to leadership that positively impacts climate change.

Jennifer J. Griffin, Associate Professor of Strategy & Policy at GW's School of Business and a Director of the ICR, with MS&LGroup's Sheila McLean, SVP, Director of ECO Network, are leading the research project and student competition.  Of the agency's involvement, McLean says, "MS&LGroup understands that the next generation of business leaders has a great commitment to sustainability and social causes. By working with ICR on this program, we are gaining valuable, real-time insights into an emerging issue while at the same time providing real-world experience to future leaders."

The prize recipient will be determined by a presentation of research findings and insights on April 21 to a panel of judges comprised of MS&LGroup and executives from top companies.

"This project provides a unique and invaluable opportunity for our graduate students to share their work and perspective with the corporate leaders who are wrestling with this issue on a daily basis. I am pleased to partner with MS&LGroup to focus on an innovative, real-time management issue that will have significant competitive repercussions in the coming century," Griffin said.

This partnership comes on the heels of MS&LGroup North America being ranked second in CR Magazine's "CR Top Ten," a biennial list of public relations, marketing and advertising agencies with the strongest CSR/cause marketing offering. The ranking is based on client satisfaction surveys and follows the MS&LGroup's ranking as the #1 agency in the publication's most recent list in 2008.

The George Washington University School of Business has been ranked 13th worldwide and 10th in the United States for Environmental Stewardship and Social Impact by the Aspen Institute Beyond Grey Pinstripes ranking.

GW's School of Business prepares students for professional management careers. The depth and variety of its academic and professional programs, including five specialized master's programs, provide rich opportunities for students in the school's core bachelor of business administration, master of business administration, and doctoral programs.  GW's undergraduate- and graduate-level international business programs rank among the world's best.

About MS&L

MS&L is part of MS&LGroup a leading global communications firm, offering the best in public relations, direct marketing, social media, real-time communications, corporate and events communication. Operating in wholly owned and affiliate offices in more than 90 countries spanning the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pac, our diverse team of experts listens, researches and creates provocative campaigns that build powerful brands, engage consumers, protect reputations and rally employees. 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.

MS&LGroup is part of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577], the world's fourth largest communications group. With activities spanning 104 countries and 43,000 professionals. Publicis Groupe 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

About GWU-ICR

The Institute for Corporate Responsibility officially received its charter from George Washington University in October, 2006. The Institute is devoted to the development and dissemination of scholarship, research, and teaching corporate responsibility. It serves as a vehicle for continuing education, curriculum development, conferences and seminars on business ethics, sustainability, global stakeholder strategies and corporate governance. ICR fosters business-university-government partnerships—US and global—to create and disseminate knowledge on corporate responsibility, to build scholarly capacity for our faculty and students, and to enhance our communities worldwide.

SOURCE MS&LGroup North America