LONDON and SAN FRANCISCO, Sep. 30, 2009 (PR Newswire Europe) -- v>

- ex-Next Fifteen Board Director to Spearhead Opening of Atomic Offices Outside the U.S.

Global communications company Huntsworth plc (www.huntsworth.com) today announced that it has made an early stage investment in a new, London-based venture with Atomic Public Relations (www.atomicpr.com), a leading American technology PR agency, to open Atomic PR offices outside the U.S. Sandeep Kalsi, a former board director of Next Fifteen Communications Group, has been appointed European Managing Director.

The first of four new Atomic PR offices planned opened this month in London with an initial staff of five, and will serve as the hub for Atomic's European operations. The office's starting client portfolio includes global security leader ArcSight, global smart grid technology provider Echelon Corporation, and Roamware, a global provider of voice and data roaming solutions. In addition to early stage capital, Huntsworth is providing managerial and operational support as well as access to its network of wholly owned agencies in major markets outside the U.S. where Atomic does not presently have its own offices.

"Atomic PR has emerged as one of the most interesting and fastest growing technology practices in the U.S., bundling classical PR capabilities with social media, video and search engine optimization, guided by the clever use of analytics for strategy building and programme measurement," said Vikki Stace of Huntsworth's business development team and a board director of the new London-based Atomic Communications Holdings, Ltd. "We are enthusiastic to help Atomic establish itself outside the U.S."

Atomic has powered many recent breakthrough campaigns for progressive technology brands from high profile start-ups like Bebo, Mint.com and Smule, to growing mid-stage companies such as Ingres and LinkedIn, as well as publicly listed companies including Echelon, Sigma Designs and the northern California region of Verizon.

"Atomic PR has the model for smart, modern PR," said Joanna Shields, former CEO of Bebo, acquired by AOL in 2008.

"Atomic PR's mix of people, analytics-enhanced strategies and multi-discipline capabilities is very effective for guiding programmes through strategy, positioning and messaging plus managing the mix of offline and social media," said Linda Hansen, vice president of corporate marketing, Echelon Corporation. "The difference in Echelon's results between Atomic's approach and past efforts is significant."

Andrew Getsey, co-founder & CEO of Atomic Public Relations, remarked, "Huntsworth brings the level of resources, international experience, and global network that Atomic needs to expand the reach of our services more quickly and effectively outside the U.S.; we're quite happy to have their support."

About Huntsworth plc

Huntsworth is a leading publicly listed global communications company, operating from 70 principal offices in 30 countries. The group has particular strengths in the consumer, financial, public affairs, integrated healthcare and technology sectors. More information at www.huntsworth.com.

About Atomic PR

Atomic PR mixes classical PR with digital/social media, video and search optimization, enhanced with the sophisticated use of data and analytics for strategy building, creative planning and detailed program measurement. Many Atomic clients achieve significant increases across numerous measures of PR program yield when compared to pre-Atomic baselines, often on lower budgets than before. Atomic PR has powered numerous breakthrough campaigns for progressive technology brands from start ups like Bebo, Mint.com and Smule, to growing mid-sized companies such as Ingres and LinkedIn and leading publicly traded companies including Verizon, Echelon and Hitachi. Atomic has offices in London, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York, and is affiliated with the Huntsworth agency network across the world. More information at www.atomicpr.com.

For further information call: Andy Getsey: +1-415-402-0230 USA Vikki Stace: +44-(0)-7771-854643 UK Sandeep Kalsi: +44-(0)-7974-161104 UK