NEW COMMUNICATIONS FIRM LAUNCHED
HOCHHARTSOOK INC. BRINGS 60 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
TO THE FOR-PROFIT AND NON-PROFIT MARKETPLACE

(Kansas City, Missouri) - With 60 years of professional communications experience supporting them, Bill Hoch and Bob Hartsook have founded HochHartsook Inc., a full-service communications firm that will simultaneously serve for-profit and non-profit clients in the Kansas City metropolitan area and in markets across the nation.

Bob Hartsook is Chairman of the new firm. Bill Hoch is President and Chief Executive Officer.

Bob Hartsook said, "Our firm will provide contemporary communications services to a broad array of clients in both the non-profit and for-profit worlds. We believe HochHartsook Inc. is uniquely qualified to serve both markets simultaneously, which is not typical of most communications firms. My extensive background in the non-profit arena, coupled with Bill's similar background and experience with for-profit entities, creates a dynamic combination. We are tremendously excited about the potential our new firm has to bring a fresh dimension to the communications industry in Kansas City and across the nation."

Bill Hoch said, "We draw upon both depth of knowledge and breadth of experience as we launch our new company. We know first-hand that the messages that penetrate most effectively are those with the keenest strategy supporting them. We know that in today's ever-changing world, traditional modes of communication must be enhanced by state-of-the-art applications in order for communications initiatives to be successful. Our vision, and our goal, is to bring our clients the very best, most informed message management and communications creativity."

As a full-service communications firm, HochHartsook Inc. will provide clients a service platform emphasizing:

• Long-range Strategic Communications Planning and Execution
• Media Relations - Local, Regional and National
• Video Production and New Media Communications
• Crisis Communications Management
• Executive Communications Counseling

HochHartsook Inc. will be served by a National Advisory Council, which will provide the firm with on-going information and insights into societal, economic and technological changes that impact on the delivery of effective communications services. Members of the HochHartsook Inc. National Advisory Council are:

Dan Glickman
CEO, Motion Picture Association of America
Washington, D.C./Los Angeles, California

David Bushong
International Business/Public Affairs Consultant, Diplomat
Wellington, New Zealand

Jill Docking
Vice President-Investments, A.G. Edwards
Wichita, Kansas

Merwyn Hayes
President/CEO, The Hayes Group International
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Drue Jennings
Shughart Thomson & Kilroy
Retired Chairman, Kansas City Power & Light Company
Prairie Village, Kansas

Ron Loewen
National Media Consultant, Former Senior Executive, Liberty Corporation
Columbia, South Carolina

Annie Presley
Principal, The McKellar Group
Kansas City, Missouri

Bob Regnier
President/CEO, The Bank of Blue Valley
Overland Park, Kansas

Teri Rogers
President/Owner, T2 Productions
Kansas City, Missouri

Phil Witt
Anchor/Senior Reporter, FOX 4 News, WDAF-TV
Kansas City, Missouri

Bob Hartsook is best known as the Chairman and CEO of the nation's premiere fundraising firm, Hartsook Companies, Inc., which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Bob is also the owner of several additional business enterprises, including a small business consulting company; a book publishing firm; an executive search firm; and a residential resort development enterprise with properties in North Carolina, South Carolina, Maine, Missouri and Hawaii. Prior to his career in fundraising and business, Bob was Vice President of Wichita State University and Washburn University. He resides in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.

Bill Hoch's career in communications spans a quarter-century of service to clients in the Kansas City market and across the United States. An entrepreneur, Bill had his own communications firm, Hoch & Company, through which he designed strategic communications plans and provided creative direction for companies ranging from large corporations to small businesses, as well as prominent public figures and office holders. A noted film maker, Bill produced prime-time programming for The History Channel; his creativity has been recognized with regional and national ADDY and EFFIE awards. Bill resides in Kansas City, Missouri.