Manning Selvage & Lee Awards $100K Pro Bono Grant to the Esplanade Association

Manning Selvage & Lee (MS&L) has named The Esplanade Association (TEA) the recipient of its 2007 Agnew Carter McCarthy Community Grant, which provides $100,000 of in-kind public relations services to a select non-profit organization over a two-year period. The agency will help enhance the reputation of TEA among Massachusetts residents through increased media visibility.

The Esplanade Association works to restore the Charles River Esplanade by acting as the primary steward, partner and advocate of Boston’s esteemed public park. The Esplanade entertains more than three million people each year, offers sweeping views of the Charles River, grants access to cultural events and provides an oasis for city dwellers.

“The Esplanade is home to many powerful memories for thousands of individuals from around our state, the nation and the world,” said Ed Cafasso, managing director of MS&L Boston.  “We're excited to support the Association’s efforts to maintain and improve a wonderful and treasured park that means so much to so many."

The Agnew Carter McCarthy Community Grant recognizes the 23-year community service legacy of Jack Agnew, Lew Carter and Terry McCarthy, whose Boston PR agency was acquired by Manning Selvage & Lee in August 1999.   Each of the three founders spent considerable time during their respective careers serving on civic, arts, community and communications industry non-profit boards in Greater Boston while managing the firm.

“We are thrilled to have MS&L’s support to help increase awareness of what The Esplanade Association means to the Boston community,” said Patrice Todisco, executive director of TEA.  “This partnership will help us highlight the Association’s accomplishments and alert the public to the continuing needs of this landmark park.”

The grant has been previously extended to The Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston (BGCB).

MS&L Boston (www.mslpr.com/boston) provides complete strategic public relations, communications and marketing services for leading enterprises in New England.  For nearly a quarter century, MS&L Boston has been working behind the scenes to develop and execute innovative programs that help strengthen the visibility and reputation of its clients.  Blending the responsiveness of a boutique-sized office with seamless access to the global resources of the MS&L network, MS&L Boston delivers a one-two punch that generates a steady stream of fresh insights and opportunities to keep client programs moving forward.

About The Esplanade Association

The Esplanade Association was founded in 2001 and has since been one of the most active “friends of the park” groups in Boston.  Within the first five years, TEA has invested more than $3 million to renovate and maintain the three-mile stretch of the Esplanade. For more information, visit www.esplanadeassiciation.org.

About Manning Selvage & Lee

MS&L is one of the world's leading global public relations firms.

We achieve our mission - to be more important to our clients - by delivering world class media relations, acting as partners and advisors, powering clients' businesses with proven methods and tools for strategic planning, corporate and product branding, corporate reputation, crisis management, and stakeholder relations.  MS&L is the winner of the 2006 PRWeek PR Innovation of the Year and Best Use of the Internet awards.

MS&L is a member of the Publicis Groupe (Euronext Paris: 13057, NYSE: PUB), whose  activities span 109 countries on six continents and include advertising, media counsel and buying, marketing services and specialized communications.  For more information, visit www.publicisgroupe.com.

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