Millennium and Hughes to Merge

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 16, 2007 – Millennium Communications Inc. and Hughes today announced plans to merge, effective Dec. 1, 2007. The newly expanded firm, operating as Hughes, will have full-service offices in downtown St. Louis and Springfield, Mo. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. (Photo, Cutline)

"Clients have new and ever-changing communications challenges," said Jim Schnurbusch, CEO of Hughes. "We've been working to change the tired model of a traditional advertising agency to be in the best position possible to address these challenges. We're doing that with proven professionals in their respective disciplines – from strategic planning, advertising, technology, design and now public relations. We've long recognized that it's not business as usual for our clients – or for Hughes."

Barbara Pierce, founder and president of Millennium, says the merger was appealing to her and her team because it provided an opportunity to become part of St. Louis' downtown revitalization and to be able to provide clients with a broader range of in-house services, including intelligence, technology, graphic design, media execution, advertising and trade show support.

"I believe we are truly in the midst of a total transformation in the communications industry," said Pierce. "We're all working and communicating in new ways, and our goal is to remain at the forefront of those approaches for our clients. We also feel this merger offers tremendous opportunities for our staff to continue to grow professionally and to be able to offer our customers a broader array of in-house, fully integrated services."

Bill Hughes, president of Hughes, noted that Hughes and Millennium have been working together for several months and the time seemed right to formalize their strategic partnership. "We've worked on several joint projects for both Hughes and Millennium clients, and Barb and her team share the same collaborative style. Our approach is successful because it starts with the assimilation of our client's objectives, knowledge and market situation, combined with our research and strategic process, all focused on the needs of our client's customers and prospects, and continues within a highly collaborative process. Clients want and need to be part of that ongoing process, not just ‘handed' an ad campaign or creative idea."

Founded in 1977, Hughes built its reputation as one of St. Louis' top strategic and creative marketing communications agencies. During the past decade, Hughes added significant intelligence capabilities, PR and also ramped up technology services to now include a team of 10 technology specialists. The firm's client list includes AAA Auto Club (Mo.), Dot Foods, Enterprise Car Sales, St. Louis Community College, the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, MiTek, Montgomery Bank, Solutia, the state of Missouri, Subway and the YMCA, , just to name a few. Hughes is a member of MAGNET, a collaborative, global network with 35 sister agencies representing more than 800 clients worldwide. MAGNET and Hughes also are affiliated with thenetworkone, which includes 250 additional international agencies. For more information, visit www.hughes-stl.com.

Founded in 1993, Millennium Communications has been recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as one of St. Louis' largest PR agencies and Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. The company's client roster includes Clayco, COZAD Commercial Real Estate Ltd., Evans & Dixon LLC, Guarantee Electrical Co., Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri, Negwer Materials Inc., RubinBrown LLP, the St. Louis Public Library Foundation, the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, St. Louis Community College, Vi-Jon Laboratories Inc. and The Westin St. Louis, among others. The company opened its Springfield office in 2004. For information, visit www.millenniumcom.com.

Combined, the companies will employ 48. Pierce has been named chief public relations officer and Carol Sheahan, Millennium's longtime senior vice president, has been appointed senior PR and brand strategist at Hughes. Michelle Mason, APR, CAAM, Millennium's account manager, has been named senior PR manager.

Sheahan, who will lead the transition of Millennium's business operations and help integrate its PR services into Hughes, commented, "I've truly enjoyed our strategic partnership with Hughes and look forward to taking it to a new level. We will now have significant resources, talent and creative thinking to challenge our clients and the marketplace. Combined, I believe our agencies will set the new standard for innovative approaches and measureable results. It's an exciting time for all of us!"