[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 24040]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO PETER A. MAYER ADVERTISING, INC.

 Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to 
pay tribute to Peter A. Mayer Advertising, Inc., which on Friday 
celebrated its 40th anniversary.
  This firm represents that Louisiana really is ``open for business'' 
following the devastating 2005 storms, Katrina and Rita. Not only is 
this agency profitable and strong, but part of its business practice is 
to contribute to our great city and region in the aftermath of the 
storms that completely destroyed 18,000 businesses in Louisiana alone.
  When Katrina hit, the Agency evacuated to Baton Rouge and Monroe and 
provided housing and accommodations for employees and their families. 
Soon the firm was up and running again in New Orleans and promoting the 
city's recovery. For instance, it was the Peter A. Mayer agency that 
developed the ``Come fall in love all over again'' television and print 
tourism campaign. Tourism is our State's second largest industry, and 
the agency's help getting the word out that we are ready for tourists 
was invaluable.
  Not only did the agency help the city and region, but it looked 
inward to create a support network for its own employees whose common 
thread was recovering from Katrina. The agency created a Web site, 
LivesConnected.com, where employees, though oral history, told their 
Katrina stories.
  Peter Mayer founded the firm in 1967 with just three employees and 
$200,000 in billing. It has become one of the largest advertising, 
public relations and marketing agencies in the South and an economic 
anchor in New Orleans, with a staff of 125 and annual billings of more 
than $75 million. The news media has recognized the agency's famed 
corporate culture, with New Orleans City Business and Gambit Weekly 
each naming it one of the top places to work in New Orleans.
  In celebration of its 40th anniversary and in an effort to help 
beautify our city, the agency last week began planting 40 trees in City 
Park to replace those lost in Katrina. On Friday evening, the agency 
celebrated its history with all past and present employees at the 
Audubon Tea Room. I thank the Senate for recognizing this outstanding 
agency for its commitment to excellence and public service.

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