Agency plays “vital role” in clients’ corporate brand planning, new product development, advertising and marketing campaigns

(Richmond, Va; May 2, 2005) – Watson, the ultimate agency business partner, has been retained by two Richmond, Virginia companies to develop and manage their brands, taking them to the next level of growth. EVM Brands, a manufacturer of consumer health and beauty care goods, selected Watson to assist them in developing an overall branding strategy for two of their brands, Dry Sportª antiperspirant deodorant and body powder and Clean Sportª shampoo and body wash. The company also manufactures Doctor’s Choiceª Baby Products. EVM Brands is a women-owned, Virginia Corporation with manufacturing and distribution facilities in Chicago, Il. and Richmond, Va.

EVM Brands Vice President Michael A. Zeher, Jr. says the move to Watson represents a new strategy for the company: rather than merely promoting a label, EVM is building its existing brands and creating new brands that meet the lifestyle of consumers. Watson is playing a vital role in a collaborative effort of generating broad excitement and support for the company’s brands from within the EVM organization, as well as in the retail channel and among consumers. The agency will bring its expertise in branding and packaging for new product development, as well as developing promotional advertising and marketing campaigns, to EVM Brands’ marketing program. In addition, Watson is assisting EVM Brands in the strategic development of new brands, refining concepts and evaluating a wide range of packaging and labeling options.

Watson was also hired recently by Cornerstone Architects, PLC, a well-recognized Richmond architecture and interior design firm, to help them expand market perception of their brand to compete and win in new markets. Founded in 1991, Cornerstone is already strongly positioned in the medical office market with a long list of current healthcare projects throughout Virginia as well as in West Virginia, Indiana and Pennsylvania. Hospital clients retaining Cornerstone’s services include HCA, Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Medical College of Virginia and Bon Secours. Other commissions include corporate offices, adaptive re-use and general architecture.

As Cornerstone’s marketing partner, Watson will not only help develop their corporate brand but will also work collaboratively with Cornerstone on corporate brand planning and repositioning. Creative development will include a new graphic identity and collateral materials.

In the highly competitive world of advertising, Richmond, Virginia’s WATSON has emerged as one of a new breed of full service agencies now doing business a different way to create and build measurable value for clients’ brands.

Watson is providing high impact creative, brand strategy and responsive account management to its clients through a cost effective integration of in-house and outside strategic resources. This network, which the agency has branded the Watson League is driven by strategic collaborations. More clients today are recognizing and valuing the many types of specialized services and results-driven marketing communications firepower the Watson League provides.

Watson’s client roster, which the agency calls the Watson Society, represents a diverse client community that spans a broad range of product and service categories. They include Super 8 Motels; Wingate Inns; Riggs Bank, N.A.; YY Spa and Beauty Products; Gettysburg National Battlefield Foundation; the Virginia Housing Development Authority; the Steamboat Era Museum and Nesbit Salon. Watson, the ultimate partner, provides its clients world-class creative, and inventive, customized marketing communications solutions to deliver bottom-line results. The agency is located at 23 West Broad Street, Richmond, Va. Visit us at www.watsonway.com