Over the years Ruder Finn grew rapidly as a leader in a variety of special areas of public relations. It devoted considerable energy to pioneering health care marketing activities, developing a premier position in science programming. Today the firm has one of the world's largest dedicated health care groups with considerable depth and breadth of agency expertise. It also has a strong global presence in technology, engineering and environmental programming. Other major specializations in the company include Corporate Relations, Public Affairs, Government Affairs, Professional and Financial Services, Investor Relations, Consumer/Product Marketing, Lifestyle Marketing, High Tech, Visual Technology, Design/Publishing, Crisis Communications, Travel/Hospitality, International. It was the first public relations firm to develop a field network of affiliates around the country and later around the world. It was also the first to develop a public relations research facility, Research & Forecasts, Inc., a full-fledged design division and a publications division.