JHG Senior Exec Named Finalist in 2008 PR News Awards for Superior Executive Leadership and Outstanding Client Services
Liya Sharif Recognized in PR Agency Executive of the Year Category

San Diego - September 10, 2008 – JHG, an interactive, marketing and public relations agency that helps companies use new techniques to engage audiences and drive results, today announced that Liya Sharif, senior vice president and managing director for JHG Townsend PR and Branding Group, has been named a finalist in the PR Agency Executive of the Year category of the PR News’ PR People Awards. The national award recognizes top talent, innovators and passionate professionals who day in and day out are making communications matter in the marketplace. This is the second award recognition this year for Sharif, who was also named finalist in the Best PR Executive category of the 2008 American Business Awards, The Stevies.

"Liya's multiple award achievements speak for themselves. We're extremely honored she's leading our PR and branding practice while also driving and expanding our role in the digital PR arena," said Jayne Hancock, chief executive officer of JHG. "Her passion, superior leadership, and fearless and innovative thinking empower our PR team to expand their own skill sets while developing effective PR strategies for our clients that deliver outstanding results."

Sharif has more than a decade of leadership in integrated marketing, PR and branding. She builds client programs through creative insight, strategic communications and delivering exceptional results. At JHG, Sharif spearheads PR, branding, and strategic planning for clients in the technology market — including wireless, semiconductor, software interactive, mobile applications, as well as companies focused on the health, wellness, higher education, sports and entertainment industries. She has a strong passion for creating compelling business stories that resonate with the media and consumers alike.

The development and creation of JHG’s Digital PR Practice program is just one example of Sharif’s innovative leadership. JHG’s Digital PR Practice addresses how interactive, mobile and social media components create new ways for conversations to develop and shape opinions in the marketplace. The Digital PR Practice employs the right social media at the right time to propel and strengthen client brands and uses solid metrics to measure those brand messages and their effectiveness in selected markets.

The 2008 PR News' PR People Awards has 55 finalists in 15 categories. Winners of the awards will be announced at a luncheon held on November 6, 2008 at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. For more information on the PR News PR People Awards, please go to: http://www.prnewsonline.com/awards/prpeopleawards2008_event.html.

About JHG-Townsend
San Diego-based JHG is a collection of integrated marketing groups that empower client companies in sports and entertainment, technology, lifestyle, and wellness to take full advantage of new techniques to engage audiences and drive results. JHG combines traditional communications with new technologies, such as interactive, mobile, digital public relations and other Web-based services, to create breakthrough marketing programs. Each of the three groups offer focused expertise or serve the needs of specific industries: JHG Townsend PR & Branding, JHG Interactive & Mobile, and JHG Sports & Entertainment. JHG clients include Qualcomm, MediaFLO USA and MediaFLO Technologies, National University System, Rogers Communications, Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc., Vidacare, Continuous Computing, Sequoia Communications, Covario, Tessera Technologies, and many more.

The rules of marketing are changing. And we’d love to help you embrace the change. For more information, www.jhg.com or call 1.858.457.4888.