Bill Carlson Appointed President of Public Relations Organisation International

TAMPA, Fla. (September 6, 2007) – The management board of Public Relations Organisation International (PROI) has appointed Bill Carlson president of the 46-member group, which is the largest global partnership of independent public relations firms, with combined 2006 fee income in excess of $230-million USD. Carlson, who is also president of Florida-based Tucker/Hall, Inc., will serve as PROI president through 2009.

"PROI is in an exciting period of growth," said Carlson. "We are adding many new partners in Asia , Latin America and Eastern Europe who are among the most successful independent public relations firms in the world. More than ever before, clients are demanding global communications solutions, but they also want the creativity and entrepreneurial approach to problem solving that only independent firms can bring. As leaders in communications in their own countries, PROI partners are uniquely suited to deliver quality service worldwide.”

While serving as PROI's president, Carlson will continue to manage Tucker/Hall, where he counsels the firm's clients in brand management, corporate social responsibility and public affairs.

Carlson joined Tucker/Hall in 1994 and took over leadership of the firm in 1999. He has extensive experience helping clients in the United States , Latin America and Asia . He earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Tampa ( Fla. ) and a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University 's John F. Kennedy School of Government. He also conducted MBA studies at the National University of Singapore as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar.

About PROI
Founded in 1970, PROI is the world's oldest partnership of independent public relations firms. Many PROI partners are the leading PR or public affairs firms in their country or market. PROI has 46 partners in more than 75 cities in 27 countries in Europe , Asia , Africa and North and South America . Its partners billed $230 million in fee income in 2006 and serve more than 2,000 clients around the world.

About Tucker/Hall
Since its founding in 1990, Tucker/Hall Inc. has become one of Florida 's largest independent public relations and communications consulting firms. The firm has offices in Tampa , Orlando and Tallahassee . Tucker/Hall specializes in public affairs, crisis management and strategic communications.

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