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Ann Glynn 312-240-2650 Ann.glynn@edelman.com

EDELMAN AWARDS FIVE CHICAGO NONPROFITS WITH $50,000 IN PUBLIC RELATIONS PLANS Part of its 5-5-5 community grant program, public relations firm also created a video that supports its global citizenship initiatives CHICAGO, May 17, 2012 Edelman, the worlds largest public relations (PR) firm, has announced the winners of its Chicago offices inaugural 5-5-5 community grant program, part of the companys worldwide citizenship commitment. The grant benefitted five Chicago-area nonprofits focused on reducing hunger and poverty by providing them with five actionable PR plans, valued at $10,000 each, from more than 62 Edelman employees over the course of five days that began March 19th. The award recipients, who had to demonstrate a need for PR resources and prove existence for at least one year, are Care for Real: Edgewater Food Pantry, Chicago Shares, Childrens Home & Aid, Habitat for Humanity and Lakeview Food Pantry. A strategic PR plan is vital to the success of any nonprofit, but so few can make that investment or raise funding to underwrite the associated costs, said Christopher Laurent, resource development manager for Habitat for Humanity. We left our session with Edelman with new ideas and tools that we could put into place right away. 5-5-5 Award Details Over the course of the week, each six-hour day focused on one organizations goals to spread awareness around the community. Beginning with a brainstorming session and ending with a unique PowerPoint presentation and media tool kit, Edelman provided the organizations with instructions and materials on how to better engage its volunteer and financial support systems. It was a privilege for us to join together with these organizations as they work to eradicate hunger and poverty in the Chicago area, said Rick Murray, president of Edelman Chicago. They deserve this recognition, especially as they continuously provide for our community members and spread awareness that each of us has the power to help them achieve their mission. About the Winners Care for Real: Edgewater Food Pantry was established in 1970 and provides food, clothing and counseling services to those in need in the Edgewater community. Chicago Shares launched in 1993 and strives to feed community neighbors in need by offering a voucher program redeemable for food items from its participating vendors. Childrens Home & Aid was founded in 1883 and provides children with help, hope and opportunity by offering services to children, youth and families. Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness in Chicago by building safe, decent and affordable housing. Lakeview Food Pantry opened in 1970 to help people living below the poverty level who struggle to secure the food they need by providing them with nutrients.

5-5-5 Grant Video Edelman Chicago created a video that highlights the 5-5-5 program and its grant recipients, promoting media awareness for them, as well. The video is an emotion-packed piece that demonstrates the time and effort Edelman donated during the 5-5-5 event week and captures the organizations need for volunteers. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WvxlwIpuR4) About the Award and Chicago Global Citizenship The 5-5-5 community grant award is part of Edelmans global commitment to assist organizations focused on the eradication of hunger and poverty and to encourage employees to give back to their communities. As a member of the United Nations Global Compact, Edelman Chicago created the 5-5-5 community grant award as part of its global commitment to assist organizations focused on the eradication of hunger and poverty, one of the United Nations' millennium development goals, and to encourage employees to give back to their communities. The 5-5-5 community grant program is a portion of the companys dedication to donate 30 percent of its philanthropic resources, employee volunteerism and in-kind contributions to this issue. (http://www.edelman.com/citizenship/) The Chicago office is hosting its first ever Citizenship Fair, promoting charitable organizations by helping them increase their volunteer base and drive community involvement around the city. Over 20 local nonprofits plan to attend on May 17, including the 5-5-5 award winners and the other 5-5-5 grant applicants. About Edelman Edelman is the worlds largest public relations firm, with 63 offices and more than 4,200 employees worldwide, as well as affiliates in more than 30 cities. Edelman was named Advertising Ages topranked PR firm of the decade in 2009 and one of its A-List Agencies in both 2010 and 2011; Adweeks 2011 PR Agency of the Year; PRWeeks 2011 Large PR Agency of the Year; and The Holmes Reports 2011 Global Agency of the Year, its 2011 North American Large Agency of the Year and its 2011 Agency of the Year Americas region. Edelman was named one of the Best Places to Work by Advertising Age in 2010 and 2012 and among Glassdoors top five 2011 Best Places to Work. Edelman owns specialty firms Blue (advertising), A&R Edelman (technology), First&42nd (management consultancy), DJE Science (medical education/publishing and science communications), and agencies Edelman Significa (Brazil), and Pegasus (China). Visit http://www.edelman.com for more information. ###