Back in September, PRWeek reported on the PR efforts at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which was trying to balance the need to quell consumer fears about the economic recession, help the public understand what's covered by the FDIC, and acknowledge the group's 75th anniversary. PRWeek reported that the FDIC was working with Weber Shandwick and Porter Novelli on these efforts, with PN working on a $1.5 million contract. A Reuters blog reports today that as of January 1, 2009, WS earned $5.6 million for its work and PN, $1.97 million. In addition, the two agencies have paid about $4.45 million in ads to outlets including The New York Times, BusinessWeek, People, and the Kansas City Star.

Andrew Gray, director of public affairs at the FDIC, told PRWeek in an e-mail, that the contract with PN, which was originally set to expire on March 31, has been extended. He added that the FDIC will work with the firm to make improvements to and promote the EDIE system, redistribute the PSAs in both English and Spanish, and continue to build on general market and minority outreach.

The 75th anniversary campaign that WS was working on will wrap up at the end of June, Gray added.