PRWeek names LE&A small PR agency of the year
Elizabeth Slowik

Grand Rapids public relations firm Lambert Edwards & Associates on Thursday was named Small PR Agency of the Year for 2010 by trade publication PRWeek.

The national award was open to public relations businesses whose current annual income is from $5 million to $10 million. According to PRWeek, the award recognizes financial and client-list growth, client retention, creativity and innovation. A panel of 70 judges named LE&A was one of five finalists for the award. None of the others were from the Midwest.

PRWeek indicated that LE&A’s net profit increased by 5 percent in 2009. It reported annual adjusted operating profit of more than 30 percent for five years in a row.

In 2009, LE&A snagged business from Asprius, Perceptron, ExpressJet, Michigan Fitness Foundation and the Salvation Army’s Kroc Center. LE&A has 100 clients in 20 states and five countries. It has an emphasis in investor relations as well as public relations.

Last year, LE&A acquired John Bailey & Associates, with offices in Lansing and in the Detroit area. The firm is planning to leave its office in the National City Bank building and move into 10,000 remodeled square feet at 47 Commerce St. SW.