Press Releases
PR Week Names Grassroots Enterprise's Hlinko as Finalist for "PR Professional of the Year"
Move Caps Award-Filled 2005 for Surging Public Affairs Firm
Contact:John Hlinko, 202-741-3798
John.Hlinko@grassroots.com
(WASHINGTON, D.C., January 10, 2006) PR Week, the leading public relations trade publication, today named Grassroots Enterprise's John Hlinko as one of five finalists for "PR Professional of the Year." The move caps a highly successful 2005 for the public affairs firm, a year in which it achieved record revenue and growth, won a string of high-profile awards, and even helped build last year's winner of PR Week's "Campaign of the Year." (For Medtronic)
"They like me! They really like me!" said the startled Hlinko, VP of Marketing and Creative Engagement for the firm. "But while I'm honored to receive this nomination, the real story here is the incredibly talented and frighteningly creative team I work with at Grassroots Enterprise. In the last year alone, this team has helped bring the Nationals to DC, win a $2 billion settlement for the people of Newfoundland, and shift the politics of stem cell research."
Pausing for a breath, Hlinko continued, "and this week, the team is launching a whole new effort – the Washington DC Winter Olympic Curling Team. And the truly amazing part – they've done all this stuff in their spare time."
(For more on these campaigns, see: http://www.grassroots.com/landscape/holiday2005/ )
Long recognized as an innovator on the grassroots engagement front, Hlinko was the was the founder of "DraftWesleyClark.com," one of the most successful grassroots movements in American political history, and the 2004 "Golden Dot" winner for "Best Breakout/Impact Internet Movement." In recognition of his work, the American Association of Political Consultants awarded him its prestigious "Rookie of the Year" Pollie, an award for excellence in public affairs. And in 2004, he was named one of the world's top 25, "individuals, organizations and companies that are having the greatest impact on the way the Internet is changing politics," by the World Forum on e-Democracy.
In 1998, he helped lead MoveOn.org, an anti-impeachment petition that went on to redefine American democracy. John also is the creator of ActForLove.org, a dating site for activists that promises the opportunity to "take action, get action." Prior to joining Grassroots Enterprise, John worked with Ogilvy Public Relations, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Lehman Brothers.
(For Hlinko's full bio, see: http://www.grassroots.com/about/hlinko/)
The honor follows a record-setting year for Grassroots Enterprise, one in which it achieved unparalleled growth and received a series of awards, including a Pollie for "Best use of website for volunteer/field organizing" and a Sabre for "Best Health Care Internet site."
"2005 has been an electrifying year for Grassroots Enterprise, and this honor certainly has 2006 starting off on the right note," said Arvind Rajan, President and CEO of Grassroots Enterprise. "John's creativity and out of the box thinking has really turbo-charged our efforts and been a great asset to our clients and our team. We couldn't be prouder of him."
The winner is due to be announced on March 2nd, 2006, in New York. Hlinko announced that he will likely be unable to attend, given that his wife is due to give birth to their first child that same day. He has indicated that he is considering sending Sacheen Littlefeather in his place.
(For those wondering what we're talking about, see: www.Google.com )
About Grassroots Enterprise
Grassroots Enterprise is a bipartisan public affairs firm that specializes in merging online advocacy technology with communications strategy to recruit, educate and mobilize client stakeholder networks. The firm's programs help clients shape public opinion, build and strengthen relationships with key stakeholder groups (including employees, members, volunteers, shareholders, retirees), and generate outreach from stakeholders to key decision makers and the media to advance their public affairs agenda.
Its leadership team includes senior communications professionals who have helped lead some of the most successful grassroots efforts in history, ranging from the National Rifle Association to MoveOn.org. Its Board of Directors includes Mike McCurry, a highly recognized communications and political strategist and veteran of public affairs campaigns at the highest levels, and the Honorable Randy Tate, former Member of Congress and Executive Director of the Christian Coalition.
Grassroots Enterprise, Inc. has offices in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco.
For more information, contact: John Hlinko by email at john.hlinko@grassroots.com or by phone at 202-741-3798. The company Web site address is: www.grassroots.com
Featured Project
2007
American Chemical Society
The American Chemical Society (ACS) is committed to keeping its members informed of legislation that may impact the chemical enterprise and to bringing the expertise of ACS members to bear on science policy.
That's why they turned to Grassroots Enterprise to help develop and grown their Act4Chemistry network, the Society's grassroots program for updating members on federal legislation and facilitating contact with members of Congress.
