Recent News from TPG

Mary Ann Pires and her Husband Ed (far R) are shown at a recent NYC meeting with Citigroup Chairman Richard Parsons (second from L) and Burson Marsteller PR Firm founder Harold Burson---both long-time friends.

Mary Ann Pires appointed to Greenville Area Development Corporation
In the Spring of 2010, Mary Ann Pires became the first challenger to be appointed by County Council to serve on the Board of the Greenville Area Development Corporation, the County-chartered organization tasked with promoting and enhancing the growth of Greenville County. "Ms. Pires is extremely knowledgable about the Greenville community and has long been involved in economic development activities, whether on behalf of her employers or the dozens of corporate clients her public relations consulting firm has served nationwide," said Jerry Howard, GADC President and CEO, in making the announcement. "She will make a valuable addition to the leadership team of this organization." Ms. Pires was subsequently appointed to the Board's Public Relations Committee. [click to view press release]

Pires Group Adds Three Prestigious New Clients
Manufacturing giant Hubbell Lighting, well-established Greenville contractors/developers Creative Builders, Inc., and a Confidential Client in the financial services industry, all became clients of The Pires Group in 2010. Services focused on TPG's Strategic Philanthropy and PR Marketing expertise. Community Relations and Positioning services to the President of Bob Jones University also continued, highlighted by a new relationship with The Greenville Drive, the Class-A Boston Red Sox affiliate in Greenville.

Pires Provides Facilitation and Fund-Raising Support to Guild of Greenville Symphony
The Pires Group facilitated a first-time meeting for the Symphony Guild at the Museum & Gallery on Heritage Green (see photo on Home Page), and provided certain other pro bono services for the latter. Additionally, Ed and Mary Ann Pires played a major role in the Guild's premiere fundraising event of the year: its annual Fall Tour of Homes. The Pires opened their own house (one of five selected) to visitors at this popular event. Nearly 900 "guests" toured their home.

Earlier Successes

Yo-Yo-Ma Sponsorship Facilitated by The Pires Group
The generosity of client Dixon Hughes PLLC and the ingenuity of The Pires Group (TPG) combined to present world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo-Ma in a second Upstate appearance, under the auspices of the celebrated Greenville Symphony Orchestra. TPG, for whom such corporate/non-profit partnering is a signature service of 25 years, facilitated the sponsorship and has worked with the GSO on behalf of its client on this sold-out event, a high point in the Upstate's cultural year.

TPG Completes First Upstate Emergency Communication Plan
With over 100 Emergency Communication Plans around the country to its credit when The Pires Group relocated to South Carolina five years ago, the firm has now begun to develop this facet of its specialty-offerings in the Upstate. It took an important step in that direction recently, with the completion of its first Emergency Communication Plan for a major Upstate employer. This discrete plan, needed by businesses of all sizes, provides a step-by-step guide to the vital emergency communication that must begin simultaneous with addressing the operational aspects of any emergency.

Pires Featured Again in Greenville News
Having contributed over two dozen bylined Op-Eds to The Greenville News in '05 and '06, Mary Ann Pires returned with occasional, topical submissions in '09 and 2010.

TPG Continues Pro Bono Help to Area Non-Profits
The Pires Group's long history of successful Strategic Philanthropy consulting services and CEO Mary Ann Pires' personal 40-year record of volunteerism have evolved to The Pires Group's business practice of assisting non profit organizations with PR Marketing advice. Since relocating to the Upstate in 2004, TPG has helped some 25 Greenville-Spartanburg Area non profits with their missions, most notably The Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce's Advantage Greenville group, for which TPG contributed a detailed marketing plan. Unlike most consulting firms that work in the area of philanthropy, The Pires Group works only with grantors. Thus, its advice to business clients is not only informed, thanks to its considerable knowledge of the local non-profit scene, but is free of any conflict of interest.

TPG Oversees Second Successful Year of Carolina Panthers Project
For a second straight year, The Pires Group oversaw the project it conceived and initiated for client Dixon Hughes PLLC, involving voluntary donations solicited at The Carolina Panthers Summer Training Camp to benefit Boys and Girls Clubs of the Upstate. A first-ever Training Camp partnership of its kind for The Panthers, the joint effort has thus far resulted in some $19K in contributions to BGC by Dixon Hughes' Western Carolinas Region, thanks to the efforts of over 100 volunteers from the accounting firm.

Pires Initiates Non Profit Feature Series for Cliffs Magazine
Under the auspices of client The Cliffs Communities, The Pires Group provided a series of features on area non-profits for The Cliffs' popular "Lifestyle" magazine, with an international circulation in the thousands. The articles elicited many positive comments from the non profits highlighted, who reported that the features helped to both boost attendance and financial support.

Pires Writes Feature Series for Community Journals
Pires Group CEO Mary Ann Pires originated and authored an 18-part series of profiles of area business leaders for Community Journals LLC, which were featured during 2007 and 2008 in both The Greenville Journal and The Spartanburg Journal.

• About Us