“The House's bipartisan passage of the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009 is an important step in restoring access to credit and lending for the millions of small businesses who are the backbone of our economy. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is pleased that the House listened to the thousands of architects who contacted their representatives asking them to pass this bill without a proposed amendment that would have crippled these programs right when they were needed the most,” said AIA EVP/CEO, Christine McEntee.

“For small architecture firms, the ability to access short-term lines of credit can mean the difference between survival and liquidation. In this economic crisis, too many firms have faced the horrible choice of having to lay off staff or going without pay in order to keep their doors open. As Florida architect Mickey Jacob, FAIA, told the House Small Business Committee two weeks ago, architects aren’t looking for bailouts. They need tools that help them and their clients create jobs through new building projects.” 

“The Small Business Financing and Investment Act is one key plank in our Rebuild and Renew plan for long-term prosperity. Now Congress and the administration need to ensure a steady flow of credit to the real estate industry and enact policies that empower architects to design livable, sustainable and vibrant communities.”

AMP Agency, a full-service experiential and digital marketing agency, has announced receiving a total of three nominations and being named as a finalist in two categories for the 14th Annual Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange (MITX) Awards.

The MITX Awards are the largest and most prestigious awards competition in the country for interactive and web innovations and celebrates the best creative and technological accomplishments emerging from New England.

AMP Agency received a nomination for "Best Cross Media Campaign" and two nominations for "Best Use of Search" in this year's MITX Awards. The nominees were:

Best Cross Media Campaign 2009
Client: John Hancock
Project: John Hancock Financial Services Cross Channel Campaign

Best Use of Search 2009
Client: Squaw Valley
Project: Squaw Valley 50/60 Pass Paid Search Campaign

Integrated Search Campaign
Client: Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean & Mexico Resorts
Project: Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean & Mexico Resorts

"We are extremely proud to be nominated for these three standout campaigns," said Karen Macumber, SVP, Media Services for AMP Agency.

"Being recognized for our achievements across multiple efforts is testament to the incredible team we've put together under AMP's media services."

"These programs firmly represent AMP's vision for delivering the greatest impact for our clients through the most innovative and effective digital marketing practices."

AMP Agency acquired Fulgent Media Group, a media strategy and planning firm with focus across emerging "digital" media platforms, in 2008 and Rock Coast Media, a digital marketing agency focusing on search engine marketing, search engine optimization and social media strategy, in 2009, significantly enhancing its comprehensive media and marketing services 

The MITX Awards finalists comprise a "who's who" of companies active in the Internet business and marketing industry in Massachusetts and the surrounding New England area. The 130 awards finalists competed in 27 categories in vertical industries ranging from consumer goods to government to education and tourism.

According to MITX, this year's finalists stood out among an increasing number of high-quality nominations representing notable improvements in how technology is being used to enhance the user experience via interactive communications strategies.

Nominees and award-winners from the region`s advertising agencies, marketing services firms, media companies and corporations will be honored at the annual MITX gala event 17 November at the Boston Marriott Copley Place.