RALEIGH, N.C. (January 29, 2008)  – French/West/Vaughan (FWV), one of the nation’s largest independent public relations, public affairs and brand communications agencies, has been selected by Healthy Living Academies to provide PR counsel and execute a comprehensive media relations campaign to raise visibility for the organization.

Healthy Living Academies (www.healthylivingacademies.com), based in Cerritos, Calif., was founded in 2004 and is the leading organization of weight loss programs for children, teenagers and young adults. Healthy Living Academies’ scientifically-based “Sierras Solution” has the best documented weight loss outcomes of any non-surgical weight loss program, for any age group. FWV will provide media relations support nationally with a focus on local markets where Healthy Living Academies campuses are located.

“We were impressed with the results of the media campaigns FWV generated for other healthcare companies, specifically weight loss facilities,” said John Gordon, chief marketing & business development officer for Healthy Living Academies. “We know their support and strategic thinking will help us manage all of the attention our program success generates, and further raise awareness of our organization and the epidemic of childhood overweight and obesity.”

“Healthy Living Academies has an inspiring story to tell and so do its participants who come from all corners of the world,” said Rick French, FWV president & CEO. “Our extensive work in the health care arena makes FWV a natural fit to handle this assignment.”

About French/West/Vaughan
French/West/Vaughan (FWV) is the Southeast’s largest independent public relations, public affairs and brand communications agency. FWV was named a 2006 finalist for PR Week magazine’s “Midsize PR Agency of the Year” award, and was named the Holmes Report’s 2004 National Consumer Agency of the Year. National and international clients represented by the agency include the Global Water Foundation, the Coca-Cola Company, Wrangler, the Justin Boot Company, Canada Post, Speedo, AstroTurf, Gemstar-TV Guide, the International Gemological Institute, the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism and bioMérieux. Regional public relations clients include North Carolina State University, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and Tweetsie Railroad, among many others. The agency is headquartered in Raleigh and has offices in both New York City and Tampa. The agency’s creative arm, FWV Distilled, was established in 2007 and provides award-winning advertising, graphic design and eMERGING media services for a wide range of clients. For more information, please visit www.fwv-us.com.