Rohatynski/Harlow Public Relations Named Agency of Record for San Diego International Auto Show

Auto Industry Veterans to Provide PR Services on National Scale

SAN DIEGO, June 26 -- The San Diego International Auto Show (SDIAS), one of Southern California's most prestigious automotive events, announced today that it has selected Detroit-based Rohatynski/Harlow Public Relations as its agency of record for the show. Agency Principals Joe Rohatynski and Marc Harlow will provide services on a national scale to complement the strong local presence that the show currently enjoys. The announcement was made by Dean Mansfield, president, New Car Dealers Association of San Diego County (NCDA), which owns the SDIAS.

Rohatynski and Harlow are industry veterans who bring a combined 40 years of experience to the SDIAS. The team formerly headed the PR effort for Detroit's North American International Auto Show, and provides PR services for Auto Shows of North America, a division of the Automotive Trade Association Executives. The team has also held executive positions with one of Detroit's largest public relations firms, where they directed national and international public relations activities for automotive clients.

"The San Diego International Auto Show is on the verge of elevating the show to the next level on the national scene," says Mansfield. "A critical step in that process is to bring to the table an agency with the industry savvy and media relationships to operate on that level. Joe and Marc know the business and the people who work in the business."

The choice of Rohatynski/Harlow stems from the decision to bring show operations in house after ending the relationship with producer Motor Trend Auto Shows, Inc. Rohatynski/Harlow will work closely with Amy Foley, director of marketing & media relations, to coordinate both local and national public relations activities that will ultimately enhance the show's stature on the national scene.

Rohatynski/Harlow will also serve as manufacturer liaisons for the show, a role that was established and held by Rohatynski since 2001.

About the San Diego International Auto Show

Presented by the 110-member NCDA, the San Diego International Auto Show is the highest-attended five day auto show in the United States, and the second highest-attended show in California. Located in the seventh largest market in the country, the show boasts access to one of the largest and increasingly influential Hispanic markets in the U.S., and is just 17 miles away from Mexico's wealthiest city -- Tijuana -- and its population of nearly three million people. The show, which uses some 625,000 square feet of exhibit space on two floors at the waterfront San Diego Convention Center, will be presented Wednesday, Dec. 27 - Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006.