– Appointment highlights Duffey Communications’ consistent growth in Public Affairs field –

ATLANTA (January 7, 2010) – As Duffey Communications continues to expand its successful Public Affairs practice, the agency’s Vice President of Public Affairs, Patrick Burns, has been selected to serve as Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Southeast Public Affairs Working Group in 2010. Burns will lead the group in identifying critical legislation and developing strategy to advocate for business interests in the Congress and Obama administration.

Burns, who has more than 18 years of experience working with elected officials, government agencies, and political candidates at the local, state and national levels, has been an active member of the U.S. Chamber’s Southeast Public Affairs Working Group since 2004, while Duffey Communications has been involved in the world’s largest business federation for several years prior.

“Duffey has a long history of working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to ensure a healthy regulatory, economic and political environment for American businesses,” says Duffey CEO Sherri Fallin Simmons. “Patrick’s appointment to the Chamber’s Southeast Public Affairs Working Group will continue to strengthen this important relationship during tumultuous economic times that demand steady, experienced leadership.”

Burns has previously served as Vice Chair for the Southeast Public Affairs Working Group and is looking forward to expanding his experience in 2010.

 About Duffey Communications, Inc. Founded in 1984, Duffey Communications has developed a long-standing reputation for unbridled creativity and a keen spirit of entrepreneurialism. Twenty-five years and nearly 500 awards later, Duffey Communications has grown into one of the nation’s leading public relations, integrated marketing and public affairs firms, and is one of the oldest independently owned, full-service agencies in the Southeast.

 About U.S. Chamber of Commerce The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, as well as 5 state and local chambers and industry associations. More than 96% of U.S. Chamber members are small businesses with 100 employees or fewer.

# # #