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When Ackermann PR was first established 28 years ago, Knoxville, Tennessee, had no full-service corporate communications firms. However, the 1982 World’s Fair provided a unique opportunity to launch a public relations firm in an atmosphere of unsurpassed business optimism. As a result of Cathy Ackermann's national and international contacts while serving as Director of Corporate Marketing and Promotions for the fair, the company had instant, high-level business, with several Fortune 500 companies as its first clients. In an unusual twist, Ackermann had an impressive national client roster first, and then began developing solid local and regional business. In its first five years, the company grew 650% and was recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the country.
 
Throughout the 1990’s, Ackermann continued to add marquee clients, build a network of national affiliates, double its headquarters space in Knoxville, and establish branch offices in Nashville, Tennessee, and Dallas, Texas, where it acquired another PR firm. The company also established an affiliate office in Washington, D.C. In 2001, Ackermann PR was the second-largest agency in Tennessee.
 
Today, Ackermann PR has matured from its entrepreneurial beginnings to a position as one of the region’s premier public relations firms. The agency has in place a strong management team to oversee day-to-day operations and client services, and has refocused its efforts on offering strategic marketing communications services to clients who place value on ROI-based, think-outside-the-box marketing and business partner.