Buchanan Chairman Tom VanKirk Quoted in Pittsburgh Business Times Article on Efforts to Generate Positive Media Coverage about Pittsburgh

Thomas L. VanKirk, chairman and immediate past CEO of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, was quoted in an article published in the August 21, 2009, edition of the Pittsburgh Business Times. The article, titled "CEOs carry Pittsburgh's good-news story internationally," discussed recent efforts Pittsburgh-based CEOs are taking to "sing the city's praises" to foreign journalists prior to the G-20 Summit, taking place September 24 and 25 in Pittsburgh.

According to the article, "In an attempt to help shape foreign press coverage of the city, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development has tapped … CEOs to talk up the Pittsburgh region to reporters while the CEOs are on already-scheduled business trips."

The article noted that VanKirk has been working his connection with Lord Digby Jones —former trade minister for the United Kingdom and current business ambassador for UK Trade & Investment — to get him to talk publicly about his appreciation for the city.

"He loves Pittsburgh," VanKirk said. "He offered to speak to both the English press and the New York and D.C. press to give them his experiences doing business in Pittsburgh."

VanKirk said the timing of the CEO outreach on Pittsburgh's behalf was key.

"Once (the foreign press) get here, all the stories will be all about the G-20," he said. "Now is the time to get their attention and give them the stories of Pittsburgh."