Sage Communications and Pursuant, Inc

Sage Communications and Pursuant, Inc. Win Coveted American Marketing Association "M" Award

Companies Cited for Joint Marketing Communications Effort Focused on Pop-Culture Phenomenon 'American Idol'

Vienna, VA - May 21, 2007 — Sage Communications, one of the fastest growing full-service marketing communications firm and Pursuant, Inc., a full-service public opinion research firm, both located in Washington D.C., today announced they have been honored with an American Marketing Association (AMA) "M" Award in the "Marketing Research: Mixed Methods Project" category. AMA judges singled out Sage and Pursuant, Inc. for their joint effort on the 'American Idol' Marketing & PR Campaign.

"We are honored to receive this esteemed recognition from the AMA for our American Idol campaign," said Melissa Marcello, president, Pursuant, Inc. "The goal of the collaboration with Sage Communications was to break out of the business-to-business, industry-specific market and hit mainstream media. After witnessing the magnitude of this campaign, we've demonstrated that integrating research and marketing communications programs is an extremely effective way of bolstering a company's standing with the public and other important audiences."

In April 2006 Sage and Pursuant conducted a public opinion research study around the pop-culture phenomenon, Fox Network's "American Idol" through a nationwide public opinion poll. Pursuant's research study revealed, among other findings, that one in 10 of the entire United States adult population voted during the 2006 season. A second notable finding was 58 percent of voters respected Simon Cowell's opinion the most, more than twice that of the 26 percent who valued Randy Jackson's opinion and nine times more than the 6 percent who valued Paula Abdul's. To ensure widespread coverage of the survey's findings, Sage packaged the research data with a teaser pitch for distribution to every major U.S. daily and broadcast outlet.

From a PR perspective, Sage knew its American Idol campaign had reached all-time success the moment Simon Cowell quoted the survey's results on the national television show - live. Other notable coverage included Pursuant conducting a focus group for ABC that was aired during its "Good Morning America" broadcast, an interview for Marcello on MSNBC's "Scarborough Country" as well as coverage spots on MTV, CNN, FOX, ABC. For weeks following the official press release, Sage and Pursuant garnered multiple media hits in many of the world's most widely read major newspapers, magazines, and Web sites. Moreover, coverage appeared in every major U.S. media market, including New York City; San Jose; Austin; Chicago; Charleston, SC; Myrtle Beach, SC; Honolulu; Detroit; Los Angeles; Columbus, OH; Duluth, MN; Wichita, KS; Monterey, CA and more.

"This award exemplifies the true meaning of integrated marketing," said Julie Litzenberger, partner and vice president of public relations, Sage Communications. "What started as a fun project between marketing colleagues became a worldwide phenomenon and a proven example of a successful marriage of marketing communications tactics in mainstream media."

Sage and Pursuant received their award at an AMA ceremony on May 17 held at the Marriott Metro Center.

About Sage Communications

Sage Communications, a full-service marketing communications firm, is located in the Greater Washington D.C. area with a second office in San Francisco, CA. Sage offers public relations, advertising, marketing and branding services to a number of IT companies, including Juniper Networks, Dynamics Research Corporation, Apogen Technologies, AT&T Government Solutions, K2M and National Institute of Health. Sage Communications also supports Washington, D.C.'s own Duke Ellington Jazz Festival as well as Goodwill of Greater Washington. For more information please visit our website at www.aboutsage.com.

About Pursuant, Inc.

Pursuant, Inc. is a full-service public opinion research firm that provides qualitative and quantitative research-based solutions. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Pursuant was founded on the belief that precise research solves complex problems and provides significant insight into what motivates preferences and behaviors. Focused on the consumer, health care, pharmaceutical and non-profit sectors, Pursuant's client roster includes the American Dietetic Association Foundation, Dairy Management, Inc., Kaiser Permanente, NCQA, and the National Institutes of Health, to name a few. For additional information, please visit: www.pursuantresearch.com.