WEST VIRGINIA RECORD

CHARLESTON -- Steptoe & Johnson has received a Crystal Award from the West Virginia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America for the firm's development of West Virginia First, a promotional booklet highlighting unique facts about the Mountain State.

The award reflects an outstanding public relations project in a single issue booklet and serves as public recognition by fellow public relations practitioners. The Crystal Award was presented at PRSA's annual award gala June 21 in Charleston.

The pocketsize booklet was produced initially as a takeaway for attendees of the 2005 West Virginia Business Summit. A primary objective of the West Virginia First project was to challenge business people throughout the state to serve as ambassadors -- to arm them with positive information to improve West Virginia's image.

"As West Virginians, it is our challenge to spread the positive and do our part to uphold the rich history of the Mountain State," said Betsy Spellman, Steptoe & Johnson's Director of Client Services. "Receiving this award is a great honor and will serve as inspiration to continue to promote a positive image of West Virginia within the state and beyond."

From touting the fact that West Virginia University was the first university in the world to offer a degree in forensic and investigative science and biometric systems to noting that Toyota Motor Manufacturing WV is recognized as a national benchmark for four- and six-cylinder manufacturing facilities, the publication features a wealth of information and conversation starters.

The booklet was distributed to more than 5,000 people following last year's Business Summit at The Greenbrier, including students at the West Virginia State Social Studies Fair and in numerous classrooms throughout the state.

Steptoe & Johnson currently is working on producing a second version of West Virginia First with new and interesting figures. To view the West Virginia First facts online, visit Steptoe & Johnson's Web site at www.steptoe-johnson.com.

The Arnold Agency, a Charleston-based communications company, researched the booklet's facts and produced the publication for the firm.