Manning Selvage & Lee today announced the formal creation of a global ECO Network designed to help clients compete successfully in the burgeoning green marketplace.

“MS&L’s ECO Network relies on research-based insights to develop environmental communications strategies and programs that help bring our clients’ values to life and build trust with critical audiences,” said Mark Hass, global chief executive officer of MS&L.  “It is no longer a matter of corporate citizenship or sustainability, but driving business value.”

This approach has been applied successfully to environmental and energy programs for clients in the US, Europe and Asia including General Motors, the U.S. Department of Energy, Philips, Akeena Solar, Renewable Fuels Now coalition,SPX Corporation and Underwriter's Laboratories.

MS&L’s ECO capabilities include corporate reputation communications and program development; eco-friendly technology and product introductions; community and public affairs; crisis communications; financial communications and investor relations; issues management and stakeholder relations; as well as corporate responsibility consulting and program development to support local, national and global initiatives. 

Its comprehensive approach draws on strong energy and environmental expertise and multiple disciplines across several offices globally, including corporate and public affairs in Washington, DC; consumer and social network campaigns in Los Angeles and San Francisco; B2B and corporate programs in Detroit, Atlanta, New York and London; and corporate branding and consumer programs in Asia. 

In the U.S., MS&L’s recent work includes the launch of Akeena Solar’s Andalay,  a new solar panel that resembles designer-produced skylights.  MS&L's work in Asia Pacific includes energy-efficient consumer education and other environmental initiatives for Philips; B2B programs in China for SPX, which provides innovative solutions and environmentally-friendly products to support the growing worldwide demand for energy; and thought leadership campaigns for Underwriters Laboratories to help governments and manufacturers address environmental safety issues, and comply with restricted substance guidelines.

MS&L’s ECO Network will be co-led globally by Megan Jordan, senior vice president in MS&L’s Los Angeles office, and Sheila Gruber McLean, MS&L’s director of corporate affairs in Washington, DC, who have worked on sustainable issues for large clients like General Motors as well as smaller, local clients.  The network will be led regionally in Europe by Richard Campbell, managing director of Capital MS&L, MS&L’s financial communications practice, and in Asia by Shijun Ma, Shanghai director.  Capital MS&L’s sustainability and environmental communications team has a number of clients in this area including Royal Philips Electronics, the Financial Times, and Generation Investment Management, a sustainability-focused asset management firm founded by Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States and David Blood, former CEO of Goldman Sachs Asset Management.

“The green category is evolving daily with the advent of new science and technology,” said Jordan.  “As a result, we’re developing programs for clients along a full ECO continuum, from those first entering the green space with a single, new product or even just plans for future business models to major corporate branding campaigns for market leaders.”

As part of its own commitment to the environment, MS&L will continue to pursue new policies designed to make its business operations more sustainable, including local “Green Teams” focused on encouraging employees to implement changes in the way they conduct daily business.  Capital MS&L was one of the first financial communications consultancies to achieve Carbon Neutral status.

About Manning Selvage & Lee
MS&L is one of the world's leading global public relations firms. Headquartered in New York, MS&L has 54 offices throughout North America, Latin America, EMEA and Asia-Pacific, as well as an extensive global affiliate network.  The agency meets the needs of global and local clients by providing best-in-class services in consumer marketing PR, healthcare PR, corporate communications and technology communications, as well as industry-leading work in digital communications.  MS&L won PRWeek's Best Use of Internet/New Media Award in both 2006 and 2007.

MS&L is a member of the Publicis Groupe(Euronext Paris: FR0000130577 and NYSE: PUB), the world’s fourth largest communications group, and a global leader in digital and online advertising, media consulting, and healthcare communications. With some 42,000 professionals in 104 countries, the Groupe's activities cover advertising through three global advertising networks:  Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, as well as through its two multi-hub networks Fallon Worldwide and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty; media agencies with two worldwide networks ZenithOptimedia and Starcom MediaVest Group; and marketing services, including digital and interactive communications through Digitas, relationship and direct marketing, public and media relations, corporate and financial communications, multicultural communications, and event communications. The Groupe is also the world leader in healthcare communications. Web site: www.publicisgroupe.com