MRA has added more than $600,000 in annual public relations revenues in the last six months. Rheem Manufacturing Company, a manufacturer of heating and cooling products, signed the agency to execute a consumer awareness campaign for The Rheem Team, the company’s product dealer network. The assignment expanded on MRA’s previous work, which included the launch of Rheem’s aftermarket parts retail store concept and product line.

Hardin Construction, a commercial contractor, expanded MRA’s workload. The agency will be responsible for a PR campaign consisting of trade and business media relations for the company’s seven business units, industry outreach, trade advertising, and collateral development. Hardin’s affiliate, Hardin Capital has also retained MRA to support the grand openings of its hotel properties through 2001 and 2002 in addition to providing trade media relations and industry outreach services. The Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce has also signed with MRA as its agency of record.

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) pumped up its message to reduce littering on Georgia’s highways. MRA was called in to develop the campaign. Consis ting of bold advertisements, PSAs, and a community outreach program, the plan of attack was to educate Georgian’s on the costliness of littering. Besides comprising the beauty of our roadways, litter removal cost Georgia taxpayers $11 million in 2000. By bringing the impact to a personal level, or the in-your-pocket level, MRA expects the ads will have a resounding result. The agency hopes their visual concept, using simple production techniques and gritty duotones, will stand in relief of others in the mass-media arena.

The message will be delivered through television, radio, outdoor advertising, PSAs, community outreach programs featuring book wraps and messages on bump stickers, movie slides, and even an interactive web based game. The six month pilot campaign, launched in Savannah, will test effectiveness in anticipation of a statewide roll out.