former Director of Corporate Communications, G-Log (acquired by Oracle in 2005)

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Feb. 6, 2008 — Trainer Communications, a leading provider of strategic communications and public relations services for high-growth technology companies and start-up initiatives, today announced that it has been awarded the Silver Anvil, the highest honor in the public relations industry, for the agency’s pro bono work helping the Mt. Diablo Region YMCA raise close to $8 million to build new facilities and expand programs throughout Contra Costa County. For more than 50 years, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has presented the Silver Anvil to organizations in recognition of their excellence in public relations strategy and execution.

“We pride ourselves on delivering exemplary work on behalf of all of our clients, and to be recognized by our peers is especially gratifying,” said Susan Trainer, CEO, Trainer Communications. “Receiving the Silver Anvil is a testament to the creativity and commitment of the YMCA staff and Trainer Communications.”

The award-winning communications campaign included a “Family Fun Country Fair Kick-Off” hosted by the San Ramon YMCA. Designed to increase awareness of the Y’s work in addressing critical community needs and establish a more urgent fundraising mindset among potential donors, the kick-off event encouraged community members to feel “that a community’s future is built when everyone does their part – large or small,” Trainer explained.

“Research has shown that YMCAs can help decrease youth violence and isolation in critical population segments — mainly middle and high school students — while at the same time serving the communities’ senior populations,” said Mike Erwin, president and CEO, Mt. Diablo Region YMCA. “As soon as Trainer heard that our ability to support these populations was in jeopardy due to overcrowding, they volunteered to help develop our fundraising campaigns. They jumped right in and quickly became an integral part of the team. We congratulate them on receiving the Silver Anvil award and look forward to continuing our work together.”

The Silver Anvil is the second award Trainer Communications received in 2007; in an international competition for marketing and communications professionals, the agency won the Gold MarCom Creative Award in the category of Promotion Campaign: Special Event for its Buzz Event for online bookseller Alibris. Since its inception, Trainer has been named one of the top 10 agencies to work for in the United States, the number-one privately held PR firm in the East Bay, and one of the fastest-growing companies in the Bay Area.

Trainer Communications is dedicated to delivering customized marketing communications and public relations campaigns to emerging and high-growth companies. Trainer’s services enable companies to effectively communicate with their customers, partners, and investors, as well as the media and analyst communities. Trainer is the only agency that guarantees quantifiable results directly related to its clients’ business objectives. Established in 1995, Trainer Communications has aggressively grown by successfully working with more than 150 companies, supporting approximately one-third of the portfolio through a positive liquidity event. Some of Trainer's most notable successes include BookCrossing, Brocade, Cloudscape, Credant, CrossWorlds, eBoodle, G-Log, Itronix, Jericho Forum, ONStor, Presidio, Oblix, Sygate, Trigo, Versata, and WhereNet. Based in Silicon Valley with nationwide coverage, Trainer Communications offers deep domain expertise across a range of technologies, including storage, information security, enterprise software, networking, consumer technology, and communications/optical/wireless.
For more information, visit www.trainercomm.com.