Paine celebrated its 22nd year in business in 2007. The agency considers itself a "hybrid firm with PR plus," according to CEO David McCullough, as it provides traditional PR work, as well as new strategies such as social media, experiential, and peer-to-peer programming.

Co-founder and managing partner Steve Cody credits much of the agency's 2007 financial success to employee programs, such as the job swap between junior and senior staff, and Dream Day, in which the entire office went off-site to discuss the agency's aspirations.

"We've really tried to get in deeper with our current clients, and that's represented and validated by the fact that we've had so many of our clients increase their relationships with us," says CEO Christine Barney, who adds that many of those clients have also provided additional lines of business.

Although RF reported a drop in both US and global revenues, it had a solid fall and winter, doubling the number of million-dollar accounts held after realigning various areas, says co-CEO Peter Finn.

The agency had one of its strongest new business months in March of 2008, CEO Steve Schwartz says. "The fastest-growing segment in our business last year was in healthcare," he says. "I think healthcare is more resistant to economic cycles."

Last year, Text rebranded itself as a global PR agency, rather than just a tech PR firm.

The PR industry was stronger than ever in 2007, as many firms grew consistently across practice areas and without significant numbers of acquisitions to bolster revenues.

Growth at the firm was dominated by energy issues - from renewable energy to oil and gas to research in the nuclear power industry - and health issues like obesity.

GCI experienced significant growth in its major practice area, healthcare.

Golin won numerous awards during 2007, including PRWeek's Large Agency of the Year.