Shaking the Creative Tree Shaking the Creative Tree Inside PR awarded Rountree Group, Inc. the 1998 Creativity in Public Relations Award (CIPRA) Certificate of Excellence in the Corporate Citizenship Category. The award recognizes the firm's work for Miracle-Ear's efforts to help a Rwandan Olympic athlete receive the medical aid needed to restore his hearing. The athlete's hearing was severely damaged after torture suffered during Rwanda's upheaval. Rountree brought the athlete from his war torn country after the Games. The firm also created a media relations campaign highlighting Miracle-Ear's lead role. Client Development Director Don Rountree cherished the opportunity to promote good corporate citizenship as well as make a difference in a person's life.

Rountree also changed the life of Tina M. Hoffman, promoting her to Assistant Account Executive. Hoffman joined Rountree in 1997 as Account Coordinator. Her responsibilities include media relations, research, and other account activities, working on accounts for a developer of residential communities, a temporary staffing agency, and a design and build firm. Prior to joining Rountree, Hoffman completed communications internships at America's Favorite Chicken Company and Coca-Cola Enterprises after graduating from The University of Georgia.