NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Grey today announced that its Grey New York flagship office has been selected as the advertising agency-of-record for the National Park Foundation, the philanthropic partner of the National Park Service, following a review.

Grey will spearhead an integrated multi-platform marketing and communications campaign in support of the Centennial anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.  The following Grey Group and WPP companies will participate:  Grey New York (advertising and digital marketing); Wing (multi-cultural marketing); Alliance (activation and event marketing); and Cohn & Wolfe (public engagement and public relations).

"The 100th anniversary of the National Park Service affords us a tremendous opportunity to re-introduce the American people to their nearly 400 national parks and the work that this venerable organization does every day to help communities big and small.  The campaign will invite every American to enjoy and help to preserve and support our nation's best idea --- the national parks," said Neil Mulholland, CEO of the National Park Foundation.  "Grey demonstrated outstanding creativity, strategic thinking, integrated capabilities and a deep understanding of our mission."

James R. Heekin, Chairman and CEO of Grey Group said, "We are deeply proud to partner with the National Park Foundation and honored to be entrusted with building awareness of our national parks and the National Park Service as they mark this milestone anniversary."

Jonathan B. Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service, said, "We are delighted to have Grey as our partner in this once-in-a-lifetime campaign and extraordinarily grateful to the National Park Foundation whose support is what will make this effort possible."

About The National Park Foundation

The National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit of America's national parks, raises private funds that directly aid, support and enrich America's nearly 400 national parks and their programs.  Chartered by Congress as the charitable partner of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation plays a critical role in supporting conservation and preservation efforts, establishing national parks as powerful learning environments, and giving all audiences an equal opportunity to experience, enjoy and support America's treasured places.

About The National Park Service

More than 23,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 398 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Taken together, the 84 million acres of America's national parks – from Yellowstone to the Lincoln Memorial – represent our nation's most treasured memorials, landscapes, ecosystems and historic sites and welcome more than 280 million visitors every year.  Learn more at www.nps.gov.

About Grey

Grey New York is the flagship and largest office of Grey, the advertising network of Grey Group.  Grey Group ranks among the largest global communications companies.  Its parent company is WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY).  Under the banner of Grey Famously Effective Since 1917, the agency serves a blue-chip client roster of many of the world's best known companies:  Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, Diageo, Darden Restaurants, Pfizer, Canon, 3M, ETrade, NFL, Boehringer Ingelheim, Marriott Hotels & Resorts and T.J. Maxx.  FAST COMPANY named Grey in its "The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies" issue in 2010 and 2011.  (www.grey.com) 

Contact: Owen Dougherty
212-546-2551
odougherty@grey.com

SOURCE Grey