The Marcus Group Garners Rare APEX Grand Award 2009-08-27 18:00:08 - PR and Advertising agency ranks first in 21st Annual Awards for Publication Excellence LITTLE FALLS, NJ - The Marcus Group. Inc., a full-service advertising, public relations and crisis communications agency, has been awarded a prestigious Grand Award in the 2009 APEX Awards competition. APEX 2009 - the 21st Annual Awards for Publication Excellence - is an international competition that recognizes outstanding print and electronic publications. Sponsored by Communications Concepts, the competition received more than 4,000 entries, with only 100 receiving Grand Awards - making this a very special distinction for The Marcus Group. The firm received first-place recognition in the Design & Illustration - Print Ads and Advertorials category for The Provident Bank's "State of Banking in New Jersey" advertorial, which appeared in NJBIZ. The two-page spread highlighted Provident's 170-year history, as well as its service and stability, and featured a one-page letter from chairman and CEO, Paul Pantozzi. According to the APEX 2009 judges, the advertorial was, "A very smart, very timely strategy ... very effective advertising." In addition to the APEX award, The Marcus Group was recently honored with an Award of Merit in the 2009 Awards for Excellence in Environmental Communication (ECO Awards) for its work on Bluefield Holding Inc.'s "Protecting Mother Nature" print advertisement. About The Marcus Group, Inc. The Marcus Group, Inc. is a full-service advertising, public relations and crisis management agency. Founded in 1970, The Marcus Group provides award-winning strategic communication services to a diverse group of commercial and not-for-profit clients.