Automation Alley Forms Partnership With Eisbrenner Public Relations

PONTIAC, Mich., Sept. 15 -- Automation Alley, Southeast Michigan's leading center for technological innovation and advancement, has retained Eisbrenner Public Relations as its agency of record. Eisbrenner PR will provide strategy and implementation to help Automation Alley continue to position Southeastern Michigan as a technology center through collaborative efforts with government leaders, educators and the private sector.

"Automation Alley is entering an exciting period in its development," said Ken Rogers, executive director of Automation Alley. "The Eisbrenner PR team will play a significant role in this new phase as we work to raise awareness for the Alley on a state, regional and national level."

Prior to partnering with Eisbrenner PR, Automation Alley retained John Bailey and Associates as its agency of record. John Bailey and Associates greatly contributed to Automation Alley's launch and worked to build awareness of the organization throughout Southeastern Michigan.

"Automation Alley would like to thank the John Bailey & Associates team for their four years of excellent service in making Automation Alley the premier technology organization that it is today," said Rogers.

The partnership between Automation Alley and Eisbrenner Public Relations coincides with Automation Alley's expansion in Southeastern Michigan, including the addition of Macomb County as a foundation member and the development of the consortium's new headquarters, the Automation Alley Technology Center. The Center, to be based in Troy, Mich., will provide a place for academia, government and businesses to adopt new technologies easier and faster. A groundbreaking is scheduled for January 2004 and the building is expected to be completed that fall. Automation Alley will utilize the services of Eisbrenner Events Group to organize the groundbreaking and opening event activities.

"We are honored to partner with Automation Alley's visionary thinkers to create an integrated marketing communications program," said Tom Eisbrenner, president, Eisbrenner Public Relations. "With Automation Alley's 500 members, there is a wealth of technology knowledge and expertise that can be used to showcase the advantages of doing business in Southeastern Michigan."

About Automation Alley

Automation Alley, a consortium of high-tech businesses and organizations in Southeast Michigan, is widely recognized as one of the most dynamic and affluent regions in the United States. Conceived in 1998, the Automation Alley consortium helps member companies gain competitive advantages in productivity, innovation and growth. This consortium is the first public/private partnership driven to develop Automation Alley as one of the country's premier technology corridors.

About Eisbrenner Public Relations

Eisbrenner Public Relations (www.eisbrenner.com ) provides a full range of public relations and marketing communications services, specializing in valuable media, supplier, OEM, aftermarket and association relationships within the automotive industry. Eisbrenner Events Group (www.eisbrenner.com/events ) is a full-service event management subsidiary of the firm, providing expertise in event planning, execution and evaluation. The firm drives excellence through creating strategic solutions and measurable results for clients. With headquarters in Troy, Mich., and ownership in IPREX, one of the world's largest networks of independently owned public relations firms, Eisbrenner Public Relations provides counsel and implements communications strategies on a global scale.