Public relations firms are usually stuck behind the scenes -- often playing an important part in major company news, but rarely getting any credit for their role. So I'll take an opportunity today to highlight a firm that our Plastics News reporters deal with all the time, AH&M Marketing Communications Inc.

The Pittsfield, Mass.-based Berkshire Eagle has this feature story today on AH&M, described as a "global media relations firm" celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The subject of the interview is the firm's boss, Jim Allison, a former GE Plastics spokesman.

Most of the North Street agency's clients are Fortune 500 companies that operate on the cusp of invention and technology — in plastics, chemicals, electronics, construction and health care. But such advancements often are most tantalizing within industry circles and in trade publications that track the latest buzz in carbon fiber, thermoplastics, flexible plastics and chemical advances, which eventually wind up in scores of consumer products, medical equipment, cars and electronics.

The story notes that his clients are heavy on the plastics side, including Sabic Innovative Plastics LP, GLS Corp. (which was recently acquired by PolyOne Corp.), Spartech Corp., and China Array Plastics.

I thought it was interesting that although our reporters talk to Jim and his crew frequently, and we see them at trade shows around the world, neither he nor AH&M show up in a search of our story archives.

Talk about being behind-the-scenes. Today, here's a rare chance for Jim to enjoy the spotlight.