DALLAS (February 15, 2007) – The Richards Group, the nation's largest independent branding agency, has renamed its public relations affiliate Richards Partners. The agency's PR capability has grown to become one of the most respected firms in the country since its inception in 1994.

"As a branding agency, this is an exciting opportunity to rebrand one of our own companies," said Stan Richards, founder and principal for The Richards Group. "Our PR group is a critical force in our success as a full-service agency. We look forward to more great work from Richards Partners."

Richards Partners is led by principal Ruth Fitzgibbons, who joined the agency in 1994. Fitzgibbons began her career in New York, where she was an editor and writer for several national magazines, including New York magazine, The New York Times, Cosmopolitan and Ladies' Home Journal. She then moved to Dallas, where she became editor-in-chief of D magazine, which was named best city magazine in the United States under her leadership. She is a member and former president of The Dallas Assembly, and a member of the Dallas chapter of the International Women's Forum.

"We recognize the power of communication and perception in today's competitive business climate, and that getting the right message to the right audience at the right time can be a daunting task," said Fitzgibbons. "We are matchmakers on a mission. Our goal is to give our clients a voice in their marketplace. Be it a civic organization or a major consumer brand, we are committed to bringing their messages to life."

Richards Partners works for a wide array of local, regional and national clients, whose businesses and organizations range from large corporations to consumer brands to museums. The firm shares many clients with The Richards Group, but also works with clients such as Behringer Harvard, Bombardier FlexJet, The Buoniconti Fund, Children's Medical Center Dallas and Hyundai Hope On Wheels.

Richards Partners' capabilities include all those that are typically provided by public relations agencies, but additional services include brand development, strategic alliances, cause branding, crisis communications, corporate reputation management, industry and investor relations, presentation training and online advocacy.

For more information, please visit www.richardspartners.com.

About Richards Partners

Richards Partners, an affiliate of The Richards Group, specializes in public relations, brand development, cause branding, and consumer, corporate and nonprofit marketing. Total estimated billings for the agency were $5.65 million in 2006. For more information, visit www.richardspartners.com.

About The Richards Group

The Richards Group, located in Dallas, is the largest independent branding agency in the nation. Agency clients include the standard-setting brands of Bridgestone Firestone, Chick-fil-A, Fruit of the Loom, The Home Depot, Hyundai, Motel 6, Red Lobster and Zales Jewelers. Total billings for the agency were $1.2 billion in 2006. The Richards Group can be found at www.richards.com.