The decision by ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) to downgrade the United States’ sovereign debt from AAA to AA+ elicited an avalanche of commentary from the industry, the media, the government and the public.

The main dialogue focused on whether or not S&P made an appropriate decision (not to mention the issue of that $2 trillion calculation error). But the controversial move also reignited ongoing debates over the state of the credits rating industry – specifically the role and position of the “big three” (S&P, Moody’s and Fitch) – in the wake of the financial crisis where the ratings agencies gave AAA status to mortgage-backed assets that quickly turned toxic.

This offered up a powerful opportunity for a new market entrant to voice its perspective on the significant and systemic problems with the credit ratings “status quo,” and the changes needed to re-establish credibility.

The number 15 was extra special for adoptable pets this year. Petfinder.com celebrated its 15th birthday, partnered with more than 1,500 shelters and rescue groups, and surpassed its goal of more than 15,000 pet adoptions at their Big Birthday Adoption Event!

CooperKatz lent a hand in planning, organizing and promoting Petfinder.com’s Big Birthday Adoption Event that took place in cities and towns across North America during the weekend of July 15-17. The largest online database of adoptable pets set the bar high for its birthday celebration and managed to exceed its adoption goal! By the end of the weekend, Petfinder.com found forever homes for more than 15,700 adoptable pets.

Our CooperKatz summer 2011 interns wrapped up their final projects on Friday, and are now heading back to their respective universities.