Tech Image Named “Best Boutique PR Agency to Work For”
By The Holmes Report

Technology PR firm wins because of its commitment to senior-level talent, focus on results, and work-life balance

CHICAGO (February 27, 2006) – As the recent Olympic games have shown, being number one in a crowded field of quality competitors is no easy task. Yet that is exactly the exciting position Tech Image Ltd., Chicago’s largest independent technology public relations firm, finds itself in after being named “Best Boutique Agency to Work For” by the prestigious Holmes Report, a top PR industry publication. According to a statement issued by the Holmes Report, the award recognizes public relations agencies that realize great people make a great agency, and create an atmosphere to attract and keep top talent.

Tech Image was selected number one out of PR agencies all over the U.S. While several factors were used in making the determination, the key was comments from Tech Image employees themselves, who raved about the company’s commitment to senior-level talent (only one employee has less than 10 years experience), focus on client results, and creation of a family-friendly atmosphere that values performance over working long hours.

In describing the selection of Tech Image, the Holmes report cited the agency’s “work smarter, not harder” philosophy as being an important driving force. The Holmes Report noted that “the firm scored a perfect 10 when employees were asked whether their agency did a good job of retaining top caliber employees, and Tech Image employees were most likely to agree that morale at their agency was high.”

In typical fashion, Tech Image staffers learned of their selection in a meeting with CEO Mike Nikolich, who rang the Tech Image Achievement Bell to call everyone to the conference room to make the announcement and thank his employees for making it happen. This friendly, collegial atmosphere and flat organizational hierarchy were among the reasons given for the selection.

“This is a very meaningful award to me,” Nikolich says. “Being named number one in anything is a rarity, but to earn this type of honor for something that is such a core value is really special. It is a real tribute to the people here at Tech Image and our approach to what we do. I couldn’t be prouder of this agency and the people who make it happen every day.”

Interestingly, this award comes on the heels of Tech Image having the biggest year in company history in 2005. The sales growth rate that the agency experienced – 45% greater than 2004 – often causes stress that leads to friction within the workplace. But Tech Image was able to manage that growth while still maintaining an atmosphere of personal satisfaction and professional excellence.
The “Best Boutique Agency to Work For” award is one of four being given by the Holmes Report. The others are for the best small agency, best midsize agency, and best big agency. The Holmes Report will be selecting one of those as its “Best Agency to Work For,” with the winner being announced at the annual SABRE Awards dinner on May 10 in New York City.

“Naturally, we would love to win that award too,” Nikolich says. “But whether we receive that recognition or not, I am thrilled to have been selected over so many worthy competitors in our industry. This really is a great place to work, and we’ll be working hard to ensure it continues to be so. No,” he adds with a smile, “make that working smart.”

About Tech Image Ltd.
Based in the Chicago area, Tech Image Ltd. has a proven, 13-year reputation for positioning growing technology companies as market leaders. A partner in the WORLDCOM Public Relations Group, Tech Image provides media and analyst relations, messaging services, media coaching and sales acceleration programs for business-to-business organizations. Representative clients include CompTIA, FrontRange Solutions, GlobalSpec, NEC Display Solutions and the Society for Information Management (SIM). Learn more at www.techimage.com or call 1-888-4-TECH-PR.