SANTA MONICA, Calif. - (May 14, 2010) - The Phelps Group, a leading integrated marketing communications (IMC) agency based in Santa Monica, was retained at the start of the year by Panera Bread and Goodwill Southern California. The Phelps Group is handling strategic communications for Panera Bread in the Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County and Inland Empire markets. The agency is providing a full range of integrated marketing communications services for Goodwill Southern California.

Duties for Panera Bread include strategic planning, program development, community relations, media relations, social media and event marketing for Panera Bread's 44 area bakery-cafes and additional locations scheduled to open in 2010.

Named on both the Los Angeles Business Journa's "top ad agencies" and "top public relations agencies" lists, The Phelps Group is handling advertising, social media, media buying, search engine marketing and SEO for Goodwill Southern California.

Panera Bread Company, owns and franchises 1,388 bakery-cafes as of March 30, 2010 under the Panera Bread^®, Saint Louis Bread Co.^® and Paradise Bakery & Café^® names, and offers guests a warm and welcoming environment, featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing décor and free Internet access. With their identity rooted in handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, they are committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust. Nearly all of the bakery-cafes have a menu highlighted by antibiotic free chicken, whole grain bread, and select organic and all-natural ingredients, with zero grams of artificial trans fat per serving, which provide flavorful, wholesome offerings. Panera Bread routinely donates bread and baked goods to community organizations in need.

Goodwill Southern California, with over 100 locations in southern California, serves those with barriers to employment and believes that work builds strong families and creates the economic energy that builds strong communities. Goodwill^® Industries places someone in a job every 42 seconds of every business day.

About The Phelps Group
Based in Santa Monica, CA, The Phelps Group is one of the largest independent marketing communications agencies on the West Coast and is recognized as one of L.A.'s "Best Places to Work." The firm offers public relations, advertising, interactive, media planning, direct response, promotions, strategic alliance and consulting services. Its clients, most of which are leaders in their industries, include Applied Materials, American Modular Systems, CapitalSource Bank, City of Hope, Chapman, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Great American Group, KB Home, Mitchell-Vance Laboratories LLC, Monrovia Growers, The Nielsen Company, NuSil Technology, Panasonic, Panera Bread, Public Storage, Tahiti Tourisme and Whole Foods Market.