CRT/Tanaka

CRT/Tanaka is a Virginia-based independent public relations firm. It was formed when Carter Ryley Thomas Public Relations & Marketing Counsel acquired the consumer PR agency Patrice Tanaka & Company, Inc. (PT&Co.). An October 2005 press release announcing the merger noted, "CRT’s union with PT&Co. creates an agency with approximately $10.5 million in combined fees." 

The firm focuses on consumer, health and corporate issues, with accounts in "sports marketing, beauty, fashion, home furnishings, health, food & beverage and financial." 

Social media
In April 2009, CRT/Tanaka purchased the social media firm Livingston Communications, making it CRT's office in Washington, DC. Firm founder Geoff Livingston will become a senior vice-president of CRT. Livingston's services include "blogging and social networking engagement, product marketing, SEO [search engine optimization], content development and blogger relations," according to O'Dwyer's. Its clients include Ford, the Consumer Electronics Show, General Dynamics, Save Darfur and the United Way.

Food
In March 2009, CRT/Tanaka acquired the food PR specialist firm Lewis & Neale. After the merger, L&N continued "to operate separately as a subsidiary with current president Anita Fial at the helm," reported O'Dwyer's. The firm's clients include the U.S. Apple Association, Florida Tomato Committee, Kraft, Lea & Perrins and the European Union Products Campaign.

Income and employee totals
PR Week ranked CRT/Tanaka as the thirty-second largest independent PR agency in the United States in 2008, with 2007 revenue of $10,515,113, a 13% increase from the previous year's total revenue of $9,330,641. The ranking also notes its staff total of 71 (2006 total: 61), with $148,100 in revenue per employee.

Clients
From the firm's press releases and news reports:
 * Advil
 * All-Clad Metalcrafters
 * Altec Lansing Technologies
 * Atkins Nutritionals
 * BabyCenter
 * Capital One
 * Carpet One
 * Chadwick’s
 * Charles Schwab & Co.
 * Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride
 * Council for Responsible Nutrition
 * De’Longhi
 * Girl Scouts of the USA
 * HoMedics
 * Mercedes-Benz USA
 * NASCAR
 * NFL
 * PGA TOUR
 * Sprint Nextel
 * Target Stores
 * Wines from Rioja (Spain)

Personnel
From the firm's website and press releases:
 * Mark Raper - Chair and CEO
 * Patrice Tanaka - Co-Chair, Chief Creative Officer and Consumer Practice Leader
 * Mike Mulvihill - President
 * Maria Kalligeros - Executive Vice President
 * Ellen LaNicca Albanese - Executive Vice President
 * Brian Ellis - Executive Vice President - Health Practice
 * Michael Whitlow - Senior Vice President - Corporate/B2B Practice
 * Evelyn Calleja - Senior Vice President and Director of Workplace Culture
 * Debbie Myers - Senior Vice President
 * Jeff Thomas - Chief Financial Officer

Contact information
Websites: http://www.crt-tanaka.com/ http://www.crtpr.com/ http://www.ptanaka.com/

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Public relations firms

External articles

 * Firm press release, "CARTER RYLEY THOMAS ACQUIRES PATRICE TANAKA & COMPANY, INC.: Combines Forces of Two of PR Industry’s Leading Mid-Sized," October 12, 2005.
 * Keith O’Brien, "Atkins Nutritionals hires CRT/tanaka as it alters brand messaging," PR Week (sub req'd), January 19, 2006.