FKM Announces New Yellow Pages Unit, ConnectFKM, Focusing on $15 Billion Directory Advertising Market

Hires Industry Veteran Dale Granda as Managing Director

HOUSTON, October 1, 2007 – Connecting clients with the huge numbers of customers searching for goods and services via print, online and mobile Yellow Page directories is the goal of the newest business unit just announced by FKM^TM, one of the southwest’s largest independent marketing communication agencies.

FKM has hired Yellow Pages advertising veteran Dale Granda as Managing Director of ConnectFKM. “Our focus for ConnectFKM is about one thing: Sales lead generation,” explains Granda. “Our work generates qualified sales leads which lead to new business – considered the single, most important contributor to growth for most enterprises.”

The unit is evolutionary, adding Internet Yellow Pages (YP), Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and Mobile Marketing capabilities to FKM’s 20-year history of providing full-service Directory Advertising services, from strategy development and consumer analytics to creative execution and ROI validation.

ConnectFKM joins Granda’s expertise in online directories and search with Cissy Arnold’s long-time stewardship of FKM’s Yellow Pages print advertising. Based in Austin, Arnold has led FKM’s directory advertising effort since 1987.

“Annual Yellow Pages advertising exceeds $15 billion making it a significant medium that continues to grow in popularity – despite predictions to the contrary,” says Granda.

Print and online Yellow Pages combined reach nearly 75 percent of American adults every month, making it the sixth largest advertising medium in the country, according to a Yellow Pages industry usage study of 9,000 respondents. In fact, U.S. consumers referred to Yellow Pages an estimated 14.5 billion times a year. Monthly, 12% of all adults visit online Yellow Pages, while 71 percent refer to print YP.

“While strategically vital, Yellow Page advertising is also highly complex, fraught with a myriad of rules, regulations and technical complexities that can make it difficult to do correctly,” says Arnold. “FKM has been working this medium successfully since 1987. The new ConnectFKM now integrates print and online Yellow Pages seamlessly and effectively with SEM, Direct Marketing and Mobile Interactive Marketing.”

Granda comes to ConnectFKM from the Marquette Group, a Peoria-based national Yellow Pages sales agency, where he was Vice-president of Sales and Marketing for 11 years. The Cleveland native began his directory career in 1984 with The Berry Company, now a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T. ConnectFKM lead generation is part of FKM, one of the nation’s leading independent marketing communications agencies, with $260 million in annual billings, 200 team members and offices in Houston, Dallas and Austin. FKM’s uniquely integrated, full-service lineup also includes TorqueFKM interactive marketing, and StevensFKM public relations. For more information, visit FKM online at www.fkmagency.com.

FKM, TEXAS A&M CENTER FOR RETAILING STUDIES LAUNCH RETAIL LEADERS FORUM PODCASTS

Country’s Top Retailers Interviewed as Prelude to 2007 Retailing Summit, Sept. 28

Houston, September 5, 2007 – Some of the country’s most acclaimed retail strategists will be sharing their visions of leadership and consumer insights on a new online podcast launched as a preview to the upcoming 2007 Retailing Summit, held annually by Center for Retailing Studies at Texas A&M University.

The podcasts, available via www.retailleadersforum.com and on iTunes starting September 7, are produced by FKM, a Texas-based independent marketing communications agency, in conjunction with the Center for Retailing Studies. Leaders from FedEx, J.C. Penney, H.E.B. Grocery Stores, Payless Shoes, the Container Store and Texas A&M make up the Retail Summit’s esteemed slate of speakers and are interviewed for the podcasts hosted by Larry Kelley, FKM’s Chief Planning Officer.

For the past two decades, a veritable “who’s who” of retailing experts has attended the annual forums to share knowledge and insights with hundreds of business executives, industry leaders, managers and other decision makers. This year’s Retailing Summit, on September 27-28 in Dallas, features a vibrant lineup of retailing stars, seven of whom were interviewed for the Retail Leaders Forum podcasts:

• Jeff Allison, executive vice president for J.C. Penney, discusses “Making Everyday Matter and Customer Experience.”

• Kip Tindell, CEO and co-chairman of The Container Store, provides insight on “Internal Ambassadors: The Key to the Retailer’s Business Model”.

• Scott McClelland, president of H-E-B Houston, declares “It All Starts with the Customer”. H-E-B is the 11th largest grocery chain in the United States with more than 60,000 employees and 325 stores in Texas and Northern Mexico.

• Raj Subramian, FedEx senior vice president of International Marketing, embraces “The Customer Experience”.

• Matt Rubel, CEO of Payless ShoeSource, tackles “Brand Re-invention”.

• Leonard Berry, Distinguished Professor of Marketing, Texas A&M University, and Lou Carbone, founder/CEO of experienceengineering, will discuss their book “Clued In: How We Keep Customers Coming Back Again and Again”.

Other distinguished Retailing Summit keynote speakers include Karl Sanft, vice president for Best Buy, and John Worthington, EVP of Stores for Kohl’s.

Registration is still being accepted for the nearly sold-out 2007 Retail Summit, online at retailingsummit.org.

Proceeds from the Summit fund Texas A&M academic programs and scholarships that develop the next generation of retail leaders. Visit www.crstamu.org to learn more about the Center for Retailing Studies at the Mays Business School, Texas A&M University.

FKM is one of the nation’s leading independent marketing communications agencies, with $260 million in annual billings, 200 team members and offices in Houston, Dallas and Austin. FKM’s uniquely integrated, full-service lineup also includes TorqueFKM interactive marketing, and StevensFKM public relations. For more information, visit FKM online at www.fkmagency.com.

STEVENS FKM STRENGHTENS ACCOUNT TEAMS, PROMOTES PUBLIC RELATIONS TEAM MEMBERS

HOUSTON, July 27, 2007 – StevensFKM announces the internal promotions of Carlos Arcos to management supervisor, Paige Roane to account manager and Kristal Howard to assistant account manager. StevensFKM is the public relations arm for FKM, one of the southwest’s leading independent marketing communications agencies with offices in Houston, Dallas and Austin.

“The three internal promotions were well deserved and strengthen client account teams, while rewarding dedication and hard work,” said Bettie DeBruhl, senior vice president, general manager of Stevens FKM.

Carlos Arcos Promotion
With seven-plus years of progressive experience at StevensFKM, Arcos’ appointment as management supervisor is a tribute to his strong leadership capabilities and strategic-oriented approach for brands such as Stewart Title, Kroger, Wholesome Sweeteners, Gardere Wynne Sewell and Robbins Bros. His progressive thinking and vast understanding of the media industry enables Arcos to provide effective solutions and opportunities for clients. ““Carlos is known for his commitment, dedication and shared vision for the agency,” explained DeBruhl.

Paige Roane Promotion
Toyota, Scion and Lexus benefit from the expertise of Paige Roane, newly promoted to account manager. She excels in the arenas of tactical initiatives, event management and media relations. Roane also leads the public relations activities for The Women’s Hospital of Texas, and is currently coordinating their annual Labor Day Luncheon fundraiser and Style Show. For Stewart Title, Roane will be working to advance brand recognition within multicultural markets nationwide. Paige graduated from New York University with a B.S. in Communications Studies.

Kristal Howard Promotion
After completing an internship at Stevens FKM and earning her B.A. in Public Relations from the University of Houston, Kristal Howard joins the group as assistant account manager drawing on her skills with event planning and execution. Her roster of clients includes Kroger, Robbins Bros, Firelake, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and The Women’s Hospital of Texas.

StevensFKM public relations is part of FKM, one of the nation’s leading independent marketing communications agencies, with $260 million in annual billings, 200 team members and offices in Houston, Dallas and Austin. FKM’s uniquely integrated, full-service lineup also includes TorqueFKM interactive marketing and ConnectFKM lead generation (SEM, online/offline directories). For more information, visit FKM online at www.fkmagency.com.

StevensFKM ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF CORDÚA RESTAURANTS TO ITS CLIENT ROSTER

Account Secured Based on Agency’s Creativity and Expertise with Restaurant Groups

HOUSTON, July 25, 2007 – Stevens FKM, the public relations division of FKM^TM, a leading full-service marketing and communications agency, adds Cordúa Restaurants to its expansive list of clients that include Fortune 500 companies to intriguing start-ups.

The agency was selected for the innovative approaches it will implement in conjunction with the company’s talented marketing staff as Cordúa Restaurants opens new locations for its multiple concepts and explores expansion into new markets.

Stevens FKM is charged with on-going media and community relations to support the already successful Cordúa restaurants now in operation and introducing Chef David Cordúa, a Cordon Bleu graduate, as the rising star of the Cordúa legacy. Efforts also will include positioning Cordúa Catering as a leading full-service catering company serving the Houston community as well as other initiatives designed to propel Cordúa concepts as top-of-mind amongst restaurant-goers.

On August 8, 2008, Cordúa Restaurants – which currently operates six Houston-area restaurants – will celebrate its 20th year, a landmark occasion for owner Michael Cordúa. A self-taught chef, Cordúa opened Churrascos, the first upscale South American-style restaurant in America, in 1988 to high praises nationwide and a listing the following year in Esquire’s prestigious “Best New Restaurants in America”. Continuing the trend in adventurous new fare, Cordúa launched three additional concepts: Américas, Amazon Grill, and its Hobby Center venue – Artista – which offers contemporary American cuisine. The group will open Américas in The Woodlands this fall.

In tandem with its restaurant-focused responsibilities, the agency will support Michael Cordúa’s new venture into the entertainment field as he brings the wildly-popular, Grammy-winning Peruvian singer Gianmarco to the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts for a July 28th evening performance.

About Cordúa
Cordúa Restaurants, led by owner and culinary pioneer Michael Cordúa in partnership with his son and recent Cordon Bleu graduate, David, will soon celebrate 20 years in Houston, blazing a trail of New World cuisine that has drawn numerous accolades. Today, Cordúa operates six Houston-area restaurants with more than 500 employees, including Amazón Grill Kirby, Amazón Grill Westchase, Américas, Artista, Churrascos River Oaks, Churrascos Westchase and Cordúa Catering. Cordúa’s unique Latin style cuisine blends classic French and American influences in a harmony of flavors. A self-taught chef, Cordúa was named by Food and Wine as one of America’s “Top Ten Chefs” and is a recipient of the Robert Mondavi Award for Culinary Excellence. Churrascos was named to Esquire magazine’s prestigious annual listing of “Best New Restaurants in America” in 1989 and has been praised by the New York Times. Residents of The Woodlands can soon experience Américas Latin flair with the restaurant’s opening in fall 2007. For additional information, visit www.cordua.com or call (713) 355-6281.

About StevensFKM
StevensFKM public relations is part of FKM, one of the nation’s leading independent marketing communications agencies, with $260 million in annual billings, 200 team members and offices in Houston, Dallas and Austin. FKM’s uniquely integrated, full-service lineup also includes TorqueFKM interactive marketing and ConnectFKM lead generation (SEM, online/offline directories). For more information, visit FKM online at www.fkmagency.com.