Nancy Marshall AUGUSTA - Marshall Communications was the most frequently cited advertising, public relations and branding company by business decision-makers on Critical Insight's 2009 Minding Maine's Business survey.

As part of the survey, Mainebased business decision-makers were asked questions about the state's business climate and business community. Marshall Communications was the most frequently mentioned PR agency by the 400 survey participants.

"Our team values the many lasting relationships we have built with people throughout Maine over the last 18 years. I'd like to think that those positive connections and our enthusiasm for what we do have helped spread the word about the firm," Nancy Marshall, agency principal, said.

For more information on the survey, visit http://www.criticalinsights. com/offerings.mindingmainesbusiness.asp.

Marshall recently wrote an article titled, "How to Build a Stronger Brand Image through Public Relations," which was recently published in A.V. Bala Krishna's book, Brand Building - - New Dimensions. With articles written by industry leaders in the fields of e-commerce, marketing and public relations, the book details different approaches businesses take to connect with potential customers. It was published by Icfai University Press of India.

"A successful brand lives in the minds and hearts of your customers. It is all of the things they think of when they think of your company or your product. Sometimes, a winning brand strategy can actually earn small companies with small budgets a place at the table with the big guys," Marshall wrote in the article.

The firm's Web sites are at www.marshallpr.com, www.marshallinteractive. com, and www.marketingandprinting.com.