Contact:
Cedric L. Bess
212-460-1495
cedric.bess@prsa.org

NEW YORK (October 25, 2004) – Thomas W. Hoog, chairman, Hill & Knowlton, Washington, D.C., was honored today by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) with the 2004 Gold Anvil Award.

The Gold Anvil, first awarded in 1948, is the Society’s highest individual honor and is presented to a public relations professional whose accomplishments have advanced the profession and its positive visibility.

PRSA President and CEO Del Galloway, APR, presented Hoog with the prestigious Gold Anvil Award during the Legends Luncheon, one of the many events taking place at the 2004 PRSA International Conference, Oct. 23-26, in New York City. The Legends Luncheon was hosted by special master of ceremonies, Al Roker of NBC’s “Today” show.

This year’s recipient, Thomas W. Hoog, is widely recognized as one of the industry’s leading practitioners. He personifies the leadership qualities and reflects the values that public relations professionals in this country and around the world respect and seek to communicate in their daily practice of the profession. He not only carries the banner for public relations and public affairs business, but also provides the strategic counseling that meets clients’ needs.

Hoog’s background and experience in public affairs, government relations, public service and firm management have led to his recognition as one of the “gurus” of the profession and he has been selected by PRWeek as one of the 100 most influential public relations practitioners of the 20th century.

Hoog’s vision and leadership within his own organization is widely known and respected. He served as president and CEO of Hill and Knowlton/USA from 1996 through 2001. He led the U.S. firm during an era of unprecedented growth both through the development of its internal resources and through acquisitions. His responsibilities included managing the firm’s 13 U.S. offices; leading its acquisition strategy; developing client strategies; overseeing the firm’s profit and loss centers; and redefining the U.S. company’s corporate culture.

He serves on advisory boards and boards of directors for organizations of worldwide importance such as the Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, The Wolf Trap Foundation and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. He is one of the creators of the “Glocal Forum” a worldwide gathering of local politicians and global leaders who come together to better communicate and plan the future of the planet.

Even with all of these activities, Hoog makes time to share his experience and his knowledge through teleseminars sponsored by the Counselors Academy to small and growing agencies throughout the country. In 2003, he served as chair of the Counselors Academy. He has made numerous personal appearances at his own expense with officers of PRSA and on behalf of Counselors Academy to carry the “gospel of PRSA and the value of ethics and professionalism in public relations,” supporting his belief that we should give back to our society…and to our profession.

About the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
The Public Relations Society of America (www.prsa.org), based in New York City, is the world's largest organization for public relations professionals. The Society has more than 28,000 professional and student members. PRSA is organized into 116 Chapters nationwide, 18 Professional Interest Sections along with Affinity Groups, which represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) has 255 Chapters at colleges and universities throughout the United States.