Nyhus was selected to the Best Companies to Work For list based on criteria that evaluated internal communication, strong leadership and strong core values essential to developing a successful enterprise. The criteria were determined by a comprehensive statewide survey of more than 10,000 employees across a range of industries.

“Recognition as one of Washington’s best companies to work for is a great honor and reinforces the quality of the company culture we have worked hard to create for our people and clients,” said Roger Nyhus, President and CEO of Nyhus Communications.

Seattle Business magazine ranks companies based on information submitted by company representatives and the results of employee surveys. A panel of distinguished judges then decides on the final rankings for each category. The five categories included: Large Companies, Large Companies Headquartered Outside of Washington, Midsize Companies, Small Businesses and Nonprofit Organizations.

Seattle Business magazine focused on recognizing companies that valued investment in human capital and its resulting effect on business performance. A full list of the winners and various company profiles is available at: http://www.seattlebusinessmag.com/article/100-best-companies-work-0.

Nyhus’ recognition as one of Washington’s 100 Best Companies to Work For comes in addition to several other public relations industry awards and recognitions for its commitment to the community.

Nyhus was ranked No. 3,251 on Inc.’s ranking of companies based on revenue percentage growth during a four-year time period. This marks the second year Nyhus was recognized for its business growth by Inc. Magazine. Nyhus’ Inc. 5000 ranking continues the company’s reputation as an innovative and award-winning firm recognized for its creative and strategic work and its people. The complete results from Inc. 5000, including winning company profiles and a list that can be sorted by industry and region, is available at www.inc5000.com.

Nyhus was also honored by O’Dwyer’s Inside News of Public Relations and Marketing Communications as the No. 71 top independent agency in the United States. O’Dywer’s is an industry-specific company known for its focus on providing news and trends to the public relations industry.

Components of the multi-year sponsorship agreement include:

• Presenting sponsor of out of town scores on Safeco Field’s new LED Out of Town Scoreboard,
• Prime advertising signage on the Out of Town Scoreboard (12’ 2” x 11’ 8” lighted “Built Ford Tough” sign on the right side of the scoreboard),
• One half inning per game on the home plate rotational signage,
• Title sponsor of the popular Hat Trick video board feature,
• Presenting sponsor for two weekend homestands during the season,
• Ford vehicle on display at Section 142 of the Main Concourse.

The Northwest Ford Dealers agreement also contains the first social media components of a sponsorship package for the Seattle Mariners.  Mariners pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith and catcher Rob Johnson will drive various Ford vehicles over the course of the season.  Rowland-Smith, who has 5,215 followers on his Twitter feed http://twitter.com/hyphen18, will post comments about his driving experience.

“The Mariners and Ford have both been on a bit of a roll lately and this new partnership comes at a great time for both organizations.  We’re glad to welcome Ford to Safeco Field as one of our newest corporate sponsors,” said Bob Aylward, Executive Vice President Corporate Business, Seattle Mariners.

“As Chairman of the Northwest Ford Dealers I can say we are thrilled to be teamed with the Mariners.  It is a perfect union, the Mariners are coming off a great 2009, and have strengthened their lineup, as has Ford Motor Company.  We have quality that is second to none, and a lineup of vehicles that fit with the diversity of baseball fans.  From Hybrids, to family haulers, to work trucks, to horsepower, Ford has it all.  We are looking forward to a long partnership with the Mariners, and the first of many World Series crowns in 2010,” said D.J. Tapley, Skagit River Ford owner and Chairman of the Northwest Ford Dealers.

Fans will also get an up close experience with Ford products at 24 Mariners home games this season with the Street Team mobile multi-media exhibit.  The 40-foot long trailer, pulled by a Ford F-450, has computer kiosks with access to the Northwest Ford Stores website (www.compareford.com), two video gaming systems, flat-screen TV monitors and wheel and tire displays.  Each appearance by the Street Team will also feature 7-8 Ford vehicles all on display across from the Safeco Field Home Plate Gate for every Saturday and Sunday home game.

Fans at Seattle Mariners games at Safeco Field this season will find a new line-up at concessions stands.  In addition to long-time favorites, there will be an emphasis on fresh, local and healthy options, and a focus on affordability.

Not to worry, garlic fries, Ivar’s clam chowder and hot dogs are still available, but for the more adventuresome palate, Centerplate, the exclusive caterer for Safeco Field, offers fans a variety of new offerings.  Some of the highlights are:

• Philly cheese steaks with hand cut fries, beef and lamb gyros, Greek salad, prime rib nachos,
• Dungeness crab sandwich, blackened salmon sandwich, peel & eat shrimp bucket, gluten-free halibut & chips
• Seattle’s own all natural, handmade Cucina Fresca pasta,
• An expanded vegetarian menu, featuring whole fresh fruit, gluten-free, vegan and organic selections including fruit smoothies,
• Deli option to build your own meals with grab-n-go sandwiches and sides of pasta, potato or coleslaw salads and chips,
• Hope’s Country Fresh Cookies, house-made cupcakes and caramel apples, chocolate dipped Rice Krispies Treats.

Value Menu

A Value Menu will be available at all games and there will be rotating special offers throughout the season.  The value selections will be available at the concession stand near Section 105, which is located close to the Center Field Bleachers and the Family Section at 103.  The second location is near Section 319 on the Upper Concourse.  The items available at the value locations include:

• 12 oz soda for $2.50
• 12 oz Aquafina water for $2.75
• Small hot dog for $3.50
• 4 oz bag peanuts for $2.50
• Small Cracker Jack for $1.75
• Small Popcorn for $2.50
• 16 oz beer for $5.50
• 20 oz beer for $6.50
• 130 oz popcorn tub with one free refill at all Rolling Roof stands

In addition to the value menu locations, fans can also get $2 hot dogs at all 10 Value games during the season, which offer $5 ticket discounts.

Blazing Bagels

Also joining the Safeco Field lineup is Blazing Bagels, which will operate a street level store near the flag-ship Seattle Mariners Team Store near the Left Field Gate.  Blazing Bagels will offer a selection of deli sandwiches, bagel dogs, sides, assorted bagels and schmears.  The Safeco Field store will be open Monday-Friday from 7am-3pm, during all Mariners games and for major events in the stadium district.  Blazing Bagels, which bills itself as “The Best Bagels East of New York,” has two other locations in Redmond on 176^th Ave. Northeast and in Bellevue at 108^th Ave. Northeast.

Wonderful Pistachios

Grown in California, Wonderful Pistachios will be available at Rolling Roof stands and beverage portable stands throughout the ballpark.  Wonderful Pistachios are roasted and lightly salted for a delicious all-natural, healthy snack.

Organic

The concession stand at Section 132 on the Main Concourse is being re-branded “The Natural,” and will feature a full selection of organic and vegetarian items.  In addition to the Garden Burger and veggie dog, there will be a hummus platter, rotating vegan soup, fruit juice and whole fruit, gluten-free “Kind Plus” snack bars, organic gummy snacks, and organic smoothies in strawberry, Very Berry, mango and peach.

Local Connections

Seattle’s own Cucina Fresca pasta will be featured in four dishes at the Bistro stand at Section 216 of the Wells Fargo Terrace Club.  The pasta bowls will come with a choice of toppings including vegetarian.  Bread from Essential Baking Company will be featured in sandwiches such as the Dungeness crab sandwich, available at the Sound Seafood stand, which will be served on garlic artisan French bread.  Essential Baking is an organic, artisan bakery with locations in Madison Valley and Wallingford.

The hand-cut French fries, available at the Fielder’s Choice stand at Section 136, are made with Kennebec potatoes grown by Bud-Rich Potatoes of Hermiston, OR.  The potatoes have high starch content and are prized for their firm yet creamy consistency and slight nutty flavor.  Kennebecs are multi-purpose potatoes, but are becoming the top choice in culinary circles for French frying.

Another new potato treat is Skinny Skins, house-made rustic potato chips served with sour cream, chives, cheese sauce and bacon bits.  Skinny Skins will be available at the Bases Loaded concession stand at Section 212 in the Wells Fargo Terrace Club and at the Field Grill stand in the Bullpen Market.

New foods with a new look club and a winning attitude make Safeco Field the place to be this season.  Hope to see you at the Ballpark!

If you are looking for a chamber to join – the Seattle Chamber is simply the best (even if you live in Bellevue).

BellevueBusinessJournal.com has joined with the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and Microsoft Corporation for the “It’s Time for Business with Office 2010 Video Contest.”

Participation is easy. Simply follow three steps to enter:

1. Download a FREE trial version of Office 2010 and use it in your business.
2. Create a short video about your positive experience with Office 2010. Your video must be at least 30 seconds but no more than two minutes in length. Absolutely no video production experience is needed!
3. Complete the video contest submission form at itstimeforbusiness.com. Be sure to follow all the required steps.

Videos can demonstrate your favorite feature of Office 2010, show how Office 2010 improves your productivity, or explain how Office products helped you launch your business. Submissions will be judged on five criteria: originality, creativity, concept, information, and overall presentation.

Prizes
$10,000 Best Video/Grand Prize Winner
$1,000 Best Foreign Language Video
$1,000 Best Video by a Woman-Owned Business

ABOUT THE CONTEST
No purchase is necessary but participants must meet all contest rules and eligibility requirements.

Questions? Read the contest FAQs at itstimeforbusiness.com/contest/faqs. Submissions will be accepted until April 22, 2010.

The Community Shield concept comes from football clubs in Europe which annual hold matches with all proceeds benefitting local community organizations.  Proceeds from this match will benefit the team’s four community partners:  Boys and Girls Club of Washington State, Save the Children, Seattle SCORES and Washington Youth Soccer.

Are you a Sounders FC fan?  Will you be at the match?

This is a perfect opportunity to donate those purses and handbags for a great cause, Gilda’s Club of Seattle, and maybe find a new one to replace it.  Hundreds of recycled handbags will be up for silent auction and the latest designs from Seattle’s hottest bag stores will be on display for shopping.

Over 25 NW wineries will be showcasing their newest releases to taste and Seattle firefighters will also be on hand to sell and sign their 2010 calendars.

Joan Kelly, from Seattle’s Fashion First Annual Fashion Show, will be the Emcee/Auctioneer for a very lively auction of incredible celebrity handbags.  Yes, celebrities are into recycling too and have donated their slightly used, but still gorgeous, handbags for auction.  Attendees can walk away with a handbag once carried by Carol Burnett, Olivia Newton John, Shawn Johnson, Tina Fey, Sharon Osbourne, Regina King, Lili Taylor, Sweet P, Scarlett Johansson, Rachel Ray, Elisabeth Moss, Aya Sumika, Marcia Cross, author Rebecca Wells or the Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray! And the most unique handbag to be auctioned will be one specially decorated by famed glass artist, Dale Chihuly.

“Bags & Bottles” is a fundraiser for Gilda’s Club of Seattle, a meeting place where men, women and children living with cancer, along with their families, partners and friends, join with others to build social and emotional support. Tickets are $40, and can be purchased at www.gildasclubseattle.org.

Bags & Bottles: 4^th Annual Handbag Auction & Wine Tasting

Sunday, March 14^th 2010

4pm – 7pm, Registration opens at 3:30pm

Westin Hotel

1900 5^th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101

Tickets: $40