For Immediate Release

Buddy Rhodes Studio Launches New Do-It-Yourself Concrete Line

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — March 19, 2003 — PhilippeBecker Design Inc. (PBD), a San Francisco based packaging and branding agency, today announced that Buddy Rhodes Studio has launched a new do-it-yourself line of concrete counter mixes and finishes. PBD designed the brand identity and packaging for this new product line, which consists of Concrete Counter Mix, Natural Look Penetrating Sealer, and Liquid Concrete Color. The products will be sold online and eventually at hardware stores nationwide.

Buddy Rhodes' innovative new product offering has attracted media attention. In a March 12, 2003 article in the San Francisco Chronicle, Laura Thomas describes Buddy Rhodes as, "one of the pioneers in using concrete for home interiors." She goes on to write that Buddy Rhodes, "has put 20 years of experience perfecting his concrete art form into a formula that should be easy for the confident veteran of home improvement projects."

San Francisco based Buddy Rhodes, originally a ceramist with a craftsman's interest in architectural integrity, abandoned his clay and potters wheel when he developed a method to meld the warmth and earthy handmade quality of pottery with the strength, versatility and architectural applicability of concrete.

The Buddy Rhodes Studio portfolio includes custom design concrete fixtures for restaurants, retail stores, showrooms, and corporate offices across the country and around the world. His work can be found at all Pottery Barns nationwide and in Canada, Illuminations, Oracle Corporation, Apple Computers, Kohler showrooms, Sephora, Bank of New York, Jamba Juice and Hold Everything.

"Buddy Rhodes is truly a craftsman and an entrepreneur," said PhilippeBecker, creative director of PBD. "He has turned concrete into a form of art and we wanted to capture the spirit of his creativity and craftsmanship in the brand identity. As well, the packaging needed to appeal to both contractors and serious do-it-yourselfers. To achieve these goals, we designed a bold, heroic icon as the centerpiece of the brand. The simple directness of the design communicates integrity, confidence and ease of use."

About PBD
PhilippeBecker Design is a San Francisco based packaging and branding agency leveraging the best of large firm experience in a smart, efficient team, yielding exceptional results for its clients. PhilippeBecker founded the company in 1998, following 11 years as senior designer for Primo Angeli Inc. His work has garnered numerous design prizes, including several Clio and Mobius awards. PBD team leads are all senior level with 10 or more years of large agency experience and particular expertise in the food and beverage industry. Their approach is client-focused and fueled by a desire to deliver effective, outstanding design with a minimum of bureaucracy. PBD's clients include Safeway, Whole Foods Market, Forbes, Stremicks Heritage Foods and the Napa Valley Wine Auction.

PR Contact:
Alexia Morici
Horn Group Inc. (for PBD)
415.905.4006
amorici@horngroup.com