NEW BRIGHTON, MINN. (July 28, 2009) – Risdall McKinney Public Relations (RMPR) today announced the addition of Ryan May as vice president.

May is well known throughout the public relations community as the founder and editor of the Minnesota Public Relations Blog, one of the first blogs to cover the communications industry and today has a significant and loyal following.

“Ryan is an entrepreneur, innovator and unifier within the public relations community,” said Rose McKinney, APR, president of RMPR. “His extremely positive reputation has grown from Minnesota to national and international recognition.”

May joins RMPR after working for seven years as communications manager for the Armament Systems division of BAE Systems, a global defense and aerospace company. At BAE Systems, he led a team in the development of public relations and marketing efforts for major U.S. military contracts including media relations, congressional briefings, internal communications, video creation and collateral to support business development.

“Coming back to the agency side is a huge opportunity to use my experience in client service and brand and reputation management,” said May. “Risdall McKinney’s focus on innovation and its reputation as a world-class PR firm made this an easy decision for me.”

Prior to BAE Systems, May was an account executive at Strother Communications Group.

May is an active member of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), National Defense Industrial Association, the Association of the United States Army and the Defense Alliance of Minnesota. May has received Minnesota PRSA Classics Awards and an International Association of Business Communications Gold Quill Award for his work.

May has an M.B.A. from Augsburg College and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.

About Risdall McKinney Public Relations
Risdall McKinney Public Relations, a division of Risdall Marketing Group, LLC, is an integrated, marketing-oriented PR agency headquartered in New Brighton, Minn. With 2008 billings of $4.4 million, the agency is ranked as the seventh largest PR firm in Minnesota and is number 182 among the top 250 global firms ranked by the Holmes Report. Its client roster includes local, national and international work for business-to-business and consumer accounts, among others. Visit www.risdallmckinneypr.com for more information.

Brant Skogrand, APR, MBC
Risdall McKinney Public Relations
651.286.6729

Amanda Draxton
Risdall McKinney Public Relations
651.286.6776