"HLB's investment in understanding my business and our industry makes my life much easier. I don't have to spend time explaining what I need or providing a lot of background information. Whatever the assignment, our HLB team delivers exceptional value that reflects their commitment to our success."

"I always turn to HLB whenever I have a marketing communications challenge. They know my business, think strategically, have close relationships with our industry's key editors and write superbly. Plus, they're fun to work with."
--Mary Villmow, Director of Marketing
Xeikon America, Inc.


"From my perspective, the professionals at HLB have three preeminent strengths and differentiators. They listen well and closely before they offer solutions and programs; they respond quickly and effectively to available opportunities; and they genuinely attempt to build trusting, knowledgeable and sustainable relationships with their clients. I have always felt that they truly understand what my organization does and why we do it, and that they have an interest and commitment to our work that goes way beyond executing transactions and tasks."
--Morris R. Shechtman, Chairman
The Shechtman Group


"HLB not only delivers communications strategies, but more importantly, recognizes the need to implement, evaluate and measure the effectiveness of the strategy to the bottom line. They are experts in developing global strategies that can be implemented on multiple local levels and structured to meet our overall corporate goals."
--Bridget Glavaz, Marketing Communications Manager
OAG Worldwide


"HLB's knowledge of our industry and MacNeal makes them a key resource for communications solutions and counsel. They're accessible whenever we need them, and they have the willingness, enthusiasm and know-how to get things done."
--Sandy Schusteff, Director of Marketing
MacNeal Health Network


"HLB's almost immediate understanding of our organization and issues showed in the highly customized training materials. Kathy and Colleen's high-energy delivery helped our team to see the future - and their role in our success. Only 48 hours later they are already applying what HLB taught - and taking positive action!"
--John Stein, Marketing Manager
American Hospital Association, Insurance Resources Inc.


"HLB is the only outside consultant that I've worked with that operates as an extension of my own staff. They are a truly valued business partner."
--Hilarie Steinzeig, Marketing Associate
Real Estate Division
Heller Financial, Inc.


"Spencer Stuart has professionals in many practice areas and a market that reaches around the globe. HLB works well with us in every area of our business. They have helped us step up our media profile in a competitive time for executive recruiters. Plus, HLB is very responsive and thoroughly professional."
--Gail Vergara, Chicago Office Managing Partner
Spencer Stuart


"HLB's Center for Strategy and Advocacy has been an incredible planning and implementation resource to our new venture. Their suggestions are always strategic. Their market insights are cutting edge. They took the time to learn our membership customer base - and never stopped learning. Best of all, their execution is flawless. The CSA/HLB team helped us to realize the full potential of our enterprise. Simply put, they bring value and energy to all they do."
--Sean P. Hutchinson, Managing Director
Center for Advanced Real Estate Analysis

"I have been impressed with HLB at all levels. From the highly strategic to the very tactical, their consultants are quick to add significant value to every engagement. They clearly understand our business and take the time to know our culture."
--Anthony J. Burke, President/CEO
AHA Financial Solutions, Inc.

"HLB truly understands my business and marketing concerns, and went right into action producing results. Within the time constraints of a short-term project, they secured a number of television and print interviews, authored articles, and a high-profile speacking engagement, all which served to raise the profile of the company and support our business plans."
--J. Paul Beitler
The Beitler Company

"We find we get a degree of senior-level  attention at HLB that is uncommon among public relations firms -- because they all are 'senior level,' and it shows in the knowledge and counsel they provide."
--Steve Silver, Chief Marketing Officer
--Paul Wardour, Director of Marketing
CapitalSource Finance LLC

"They are the client service standard against which others are measured."
--Ted McDougal
Sears, Roebuck and Co.

We all like recognition, and HLB has received its fair share over the years for projects implemented on behalf of our Clients. A few that we are most proud of include:

International Association of Business Communicators
At the 1994 IABC Conference in Washington, D.C., the International Association of Business Communicators recognized the innovative branding work of HLB and Ameritech by presenting us with an Award of Excellence in the Management Processes: Communication Training category. HLB developed a "brand voice" for Ameritech and helped teach over 500 Ameritech communicators how to project the "attentive" brand in the content and style of media relations, employee communications and marketing communications materials.


Silver Trumpet Award
The Publicity Club of Chicago honored HLB and the Chicago Sun-Times with a Silver Trumpet Award for the paper's Student First/Marcus Palmer Foundation promotion, a community relations initiative.


Annual Travel Weekly Achievement Awards
For two consecutive years, strategic communications initiatives created by HLB on behalf of Travel and Transport, a leading travel management firm, have been honored by Travel Weekly magazine, the leading business newspaper serving the travel industry. Travel and Transport has received the prestigious Travel Weekly Achievement Award for Best Advertising/Promotional/Marketing Campaign, Best Newsletter and Outstanding Community Service, among others. In addition, another newsletter created by HLB on behalf of IVI Travel was also recognized as being the best in the industry.


DMA International ECHO Awards Competition
HLB's thought-leadership initiative, "New Frontiers in Direct Marketing," placed fifth in the prestigious International ECHO Awards Competition, sponsored by the Direct Marketing Association. The initiative was developed in cooperation with the direct marketing practice of global executive recruiter Spencer Stuart.


Chicago Skyline Award
PRSA honored HLB Communications and Verizon Wireless with the Award of  Excellence - Marketing Consumer Products for the "Take it With You Now" campaign in May 2004.  HLB developed the "Take It With You Now" campaign to showcase Verizon Wireless' unique positioning and thought leadership in what was deemed the 'biggest issue' to impact the wireless industry in recent years - Local Number Portability.  A six-month, three prong campaign was developed and implemented to educate consumers, businesses, opinion leaders and the media about the new FCC mandate requiring wireless carriers to enable customers to take their cellular phone number from one service provider to the next.  While the competition fought the legislation, Verizon Wireless embraced it - and in turn, enjoyed record local publicity and new customers.