Itron, Inc. Appoints Makovsky + Company

 New York, NY – June 16, 2010 – Makovsky + Company, one of the nation’s largest independent public relations and investor relations firms, today announced that it has been retained by Itron, Inc., the world’s leading provider of intelligent metering, data collection and utility software solutions, with nearly 8,000 utilities worldwide relying on its technology to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water. 
 
The program will be focused on corporate communications counsel and for the development of an education program targeted at business, investor and consumer audiences around its advanced and expanding smart metering/smart grid products and solutions. It will also include thought leadership initiatives for senior management and monitoring the public dialogue on this fast-growing area. The account, estimated in the mid six-figure range, was awarded after a competitive review involving four firms, three of which included Ruder Finn, Abernathy MacGregor and Hill & Knowlton.
 
Makovsky joins its Spokane, Washington IPREX partner, Desautel Hege, in serving Itron.  Desautel has worked with Itron, also based in Spokane, for seven years, as its marketing communications partner.
 
“We selected Makovsky because their strategy and program were on the mark, and their team was sharp and asked the right questions.  Not only were they the most strategic among the competitors, but their link with Desautel Hege was an advantage,” said Russ Vanos, Itron’s Vice President of Marketing.
 
About Makovsky + Company
Founded in 1979, Makovsky + Company (www.makovsky.com <http://www.makovsky.com>  ) is one of the nation’s leading independent global public relations, investor relations and branding consultancies, focused in financial services, professional services, health care, technology, energy and branding and interactive.  The firm attributes its success to its original vision: that the Power of Specialized Thinking™ is the best way to build reputation, sales and fair valuation for a client. Based in New York City, the firm has agency partners in more than 25 countries and in 35 U.S. cities through IPREX (www.IPREX.com <http://www.IPREX.com> ), the second largest worldwide public relations agency partnership, of which Makovsky is a founder.