2008 BBB International Torch Awards Sponsors

DLA Piper is a leading global legal services provider with more than 3,700 lawyers in 25 countries and 64 offices throughout the US, the UK, Continental Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.  We serve clients ranging from multinational, Global 1000 and Fortune 500 enterprises to emerging companies developing industry-leading technologies. Through our offices worldwide, we practice in commercial, corporate, finance, human resources, litigation, real estate, regulatory and legislative, tax and technology, media and communications law. We believe that when it comes to the way we serve and interact with our clients, everything matters.

The Distilled Spirits Council, a national trade association representing America’s leading distillers, oversees the spirits industry’s voluntary Code of Responsible Practices for Beverage Alcohol Advertising and Marketing -- adhered to for over 70 years.  Throughout the decades, there has been 100% compliance by DISCUS members and overwhelming compliance by nonmembers.   The Code includes 39 provisions regarding the responsible placement and content for spirits advertising materials and applies to the beer, wine and spirits brands marketed by DISCUS members.  It provides for the issuance of public semi-annual reports making the industry’s self-regulatory process visible, transparent and understandable to the public.

The Carcannon Corporation is an automotive consulting and inspection company, conceived, structured, and technologically infused to meet the evolving needs of the automobile industry.  In a business where rapid and accurate reporting is essential, Carcannon’s independent status enables clients to get the impartial and objective information they need.  Carcannon’s international field force – deployed locally and coordinated through a secure and proprietary web site – generates concise, comprehensive reporting and data analytics.  Carcannon’s goal is to support its clients with the services and systems they need to achieve swift, conclusive, and cost effective arbitration resolutions, and to help automobile manufacturers guide their certified used vehicle programs to maximize customer satisfaction, dealer retention, and increased market share.

Verizon WirelessVerizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 66 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 235,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com

Gold Sponsors

In a world of continuing change, Bryan Cave LLP is strategically positioned to provide clients with the legal capabilities they need not only to react, but anticipate and benefit from the changes. Subsidiaries BCIT and Bryan Cave Strategies LLC provide trade and customs consultancy and government relations counsel, respectively.  Over 1,000 lawyers and other professionals in 22 offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia serve clients’ needs in the world’s leading business and financial markets.

The Direct Marketing Association is the leading global trade association of businesses and nonprofit organizations using and supporting multichannel direct marketing tools and techniques.  DMA advocates standards for responsible marketing, promotes relevance as the key to reaching consumers with desirable offers, and provides cutting-edge research, education, and networking opportunities to improve results throughout the end-to-end direct marketing process.

Hewlet-Packard Companyis a technology company that operates in more than 170 countries around the world. We explore how technology and services can help people and companies address their problems and challenges, and realize their possibilities, aspirations and dreams. We apply new thinking and ideas to create more simple, valuable and trusted experiences with technology, continuously improving the way our customers live and work.

IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. Drawing on resources from across IBM and key Business Partners, IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that enable customers, large and small, to take full advantage of the new era of e-business. For more information about IBM, visit www.ibm.com

Recognized as one of the nation's leading law and consulting firms, Manatt Phelps & Phillips, LLP is at the forefront of cutting-edge issues involving the convergence of the computer, entertainment and marketing communications industries. From offices in major markets throughout the country, Manatt provides creative, production, financing and operating services to a large portion of the world's most prestigious advertising, marketing, media, technology, communications and entertainment companies.

Silver Sponsors

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. 

Hogan & Hartson LLP is an international law firm founded in Washington, D.C. with more than 1,100 lawyers in 22 offices worldwide.

Keller and Heckman LLP, founded in 1962, has a broad practice in the areas of regulatory law, public policy, litigation, and business transactions, serving both domestic and international clients. The firm serves clients from offices in Washington, D.C., Brussels, San Francisco, and Shanghai.

King & Spalding is an international law firm with more than 800 lawyers across the United States, Europe and the Middle East

The Hershey Company is the largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and sugar confectionery products, with revenues of nearly $5 billion and more than 13,000 employees worldwide.

Bronze Sponsors