PR Week (US) articles from April 2003

PR Week (US) archives from April 2003

Corporate giants call on shareholders in support of Bush tax plan.(George W. Bush, dividend tax cut)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... WASHINGTON: In an unusual mix of investor relations and grassroots political outreach, several corporate giants have sent letters to shareholders asking them to contact members of Congress to support President Bush's proposed dividend tax cut....

TSA PR push shows it's 'one step ahead' of the terrorists.(U.S. Transportation Security Administration public relations campaign )
April 7, 2003... WASHINGTON: With war raging in Iraq and the threat of retaliatory strikes looming at home, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is looking to increase overseas coverage of US anti-terrorism activities to deter would-be attackers....

PhRMA sees mass exodus as Merritt leaves top PR post.(Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America; Mark Merritt to become president, chief executive officer, Pharmaceutical Care Management Association)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... WASHINGTON: Mark Merritt, head of communications for PhRMA, has quit the trade association after just five months on the job to become president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA). Merritt's resignation is...

Colle & McVoy joins dollars 25m Novartis effort.(Novartis Animal Health U.S. Inc. $25 million marketing, advertising, and public relations budget)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... GREENSBORO, NC: Novartis Animal Health US has hired Minneapolis-based Colle & McVoy to handle its dollars 25 million integrated marketing, advertising, and PR business. While exact PR spending figures have yet to be determined, Bob Seitz,...

Frisby quits Porter Novelli to head up Walker Marchant.(Michael Frisby, president, Walker Marchant Group)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... WASHINGTON: Porter Novelli's public affairs team lost yet another of its stars to small-agency life last week when former Wall Street Journal reporter Michael Frisby signed on as president of The Walker Marchant Group. Frisby, an SVP at PN...

Fleming picked as comms manager at Subaru's US arm.(Lisa Fleming, communications manager, Subaru of America Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... CHERRY HILL, NJ: Lisa Fleming has been named new communications manager at Subaru of America. Fleming came to the automaker from FreeMarkets, a Pittsburgh-based software company, where she was manager of corporate communications. She...

Movielink reels in mPRm with major push coming soon.(Movielink L.L.C. selects mPRm Public Relations)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... LOS ANGELES: Movielink, the downloadable-film service that is backed by major studios, has chosen mPRm as its AOR. Launched five months ago, Movielink is Hollywood's strongest foray into digital distribution. MGM, Paramount, Warner Bros.,...

UPS fights war coverage to launch new look.(United Parcel Service of America Inc. changes trademark, marketing plans )
April 7, 2003... ATLANTA: As UPS unveiled its first change of its trademark in over 40 years, it had to compete with the battlefield reports from Iraq that were dominating the front pages and airwaves. UPS had no choice but to go ahead with the program...

Sard charged with helping sell Sears' credit-card unit.(Citigate Sard Verbinnen will help to sell Sears Roebuck & Co.'s credit card operation)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL: Sears Roebuck& Co. is working with financial communications firm Citigate Sard Verbinnen as the giant retailer begins to shop its credit-card operation. News of the sale came as something of a surprise to much of the...

CDC takes comms lead as SARS fears grow in the US.(U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention takes domestic communications control, severe acute respiratory syndrome )(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... ATLANTA: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has taken control of domestic communications as distress over severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) continues to rise in the US. Ogilvy PR Worldwide is assisting with press...

Officials forced to clarify war stories from embed setup.(Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, message; Iraq embedded-media program)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... WASHINGTON: The Bush administration took steps last week to counter seemingly unexpected consequences stemming from its own embedded-media program in Iraq. With public opinion of the conflict rising and falling in reaction to the 24-hour,...

Sun hires Stanton Crenshaw to build on circulation rise.(The New York Sun hires public relations firm)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... NEW YORK: The New York Sun has hired Stanton Crenshaw Communications to craft a PR strategy to complement a new dollars 800,000 advertising campaign. The double-pronged PR initiative aimed at consumers and advertisers is based on the...

Teenage girls help Fleishman craft nonsmoking message in Texas.(Fleishman-Hillard )(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... AUSTIN, TX: Fleishman-Hillard recruited teenage girls to launch a public service campaign last week, aimed at preventing their peers from smoking. Last year, the Texas Cancer Council (TCC) approved a plan proposed by Fleishman to mount the...

Healthy Choice starts push to cultivate public nutrition.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... OMAHA, NE: ConAgra's Healthy Choice brand is teaming with the American Dietetic Association (ADA) to launch a new consumer education program about nutrition and healthy eating. More than 1,000 press kits have been distributed to media...

Importer pushing people to pop Dom on a regular basis.(Schieffelin & Somerset; Dom Perignon champagne )(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... NEW YORK: The US importer of Dom Perignon champagne has hired the Susan Magrino Agency to broaden market penetration for the upscale brand. PR efforts will be directed at increasing the frequency of usage. The champagne now tends to be...

Forman moves up to the number-two PR job at Visa USA.(Susan Forman promoted to senior vice president of corporate relations)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: Visa USA has promoted Susan Forman from VP, corporate relations to SVP, corporate relations, making her the second-highest-ranking person in Visa's corporate communications team. An eight-year veteran of the department,...

PAUL HOLMES: The way the US is viewing this war will have a lasting impact on how the world views the US.(Column)
April 7, 2003... The Anglo-American attack on Iraq has been both a PR triumph and a PR disaster. The two allies have done a masterful job of presenting the war to their respective domestic populations, thanks in large part to the assistance of a docile...

Journalists make their own news in Iraq war reporting.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... NEW YORK: The coverage of the war in Iraq last week continued to grab headlines almost as prominent as those for the conflict itself. But the media news coming from the Middle East took on a sour taste, as faux pas by Peter Arnett and...

EWeek upgrades its look and coverage.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... WOBURN, MA: Thriving despite the gloomy tech world, eWeek has unveiled a new glossy look and expanded its coverage of enterprise infrastructure. The move, said publisher Brian Gleason, was based on research showing that readers were as...

Madonna pulls video over fear of looking unpatriotic.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... LOS ANGELES: Madonna sparked an avalanche of press coverage last week by deciding not to release her new video over concerns it would be perceived as unpatriotic. But experts say the change may have been equally influenced by business...

Travel takes its toll as Crighton quits Edelman tech job.(Carlo Crighton resigns from Daniel J. Edelman Public Relations Worldwide Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... LONDON: Carlo Crighton has left Edelman as the international director of its tech practice, a year after joining the agency. Crighton left the firm because travel kept him from his family more than he wanted, said Alison Canning, president...

NEWS BRIEF: Maverick Advertising to undertake Nursefinders' campaign.(Maverick Advertising and Public Relations Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... FORT WORTH, TX: Maverick Advertising & PR will undertake Nursefinders' first PR campaign as a part of a broader marketing communications account. Nursefinders, based in Arlington, TX, places contract nurses in more than 6,200 US hospitals.

NEWS BRIEF: Brodeur Worldwide partners with Cymfony.(offers customized version of media monitoring, analysis software)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... NEWTON, MA: Brodeur Worldwide has partnered with Cymfony to provide clients with a customized version of Brand Dashboard, the software company's media monitoring and analysis solution. The technology identifies relevant media information and...

NEWS BRIEF: Bidz.com selects Hoffman Agency.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... CULVER CITY, CA: Online auction site Bidz.com has selected the Hoffman Agency as its new agency of record. Hoffman will look to increase the company's visibility by implementing a media relations campaign focusing on local and national...

NEWS BRIEF: Kimberly Allen joins Nieman Group.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... HARRISBURG, PA: Kimberly Allen has joined the Nieman Group as a VP and the head of the agency's consumer PR practice. Allen had been at Weber Shandwick/Rogers & Cowan in Los Angeles, where she worked on the launch of Vanilla Coke.

NEWS BRIEF: The North Face selects Ruder Finn.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... SAN LEANDRO, CA: The North Face, an outdoors and exploration apparel company, has selected Ruder Finn as its agency of record. Ruder Finn will focus on corporate and brand communications, with its first assignment the launch of The North Face's...

NEWS BRIEF: Carryon Communication acquires two firms.(MANA Communications, Schuerman Communications)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... LOS ANGELES: Carryon Communication has acquired two firms: Washington-DC based MANA Communications and Schuerman Communications. Under the terms of the acquisitions, Schuerman Communications' principal JP Schuerman will become VP and practice...

NEWS BRIEF: High Liner Foods (USA) picks Wheatley & Timmons.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... CHICAGO: High Liner Foods (USA), a frozen seafood supplier based in Portsmouth, NH, has picked Wheatley & Timmons as its PR agency of record. The firm will create a crisis communications plan for the company, which is a subsidiary of a Canadian...

NEWS BRIEF: TriMas hires Bianchi Public Relations.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... TROY, MI: TriMas has hired Bianchi Public Relations to handle media relations. TriMas manufactures a variety of products for the commercial, industrial, and consumer markets. It owns 10 companies, and employs nearly 5,000 people in 10...

NEWS BRIEF: Two new VPs join Waggener Edstrom.(public relations firm appoints new vice presidents)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... NEW YORK: Two new VPs have joined Waggener Edstrom on the East Coast. Former Cunningham PR president Kristin Hilf brings 15 years of PR experience, 13 of which were spent at the Citigate Cunningham subsidiary. Also joining WagEd is former...

NEWS BRIEF: MGM promotes Debra Nathin Solomons.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... LOS ANGELES: MGM has promoted Debra Nathin Solomons and Andrew Bernstein to SVPs. Both will report to SVP of publicity Eric Kops.

NEWS BRIEF: Sandra Moreland leaves Ogilvy PR Worldwide.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... ATLANTA: Sandra Moreland, co-managing director of Ogilvy PR Worldwide's global technology practice, has left the agency to spend more time with her family. She will continue to do PR work as an independent consultant. Stephen Jones, who shared...

Bittler named new head of comms for TNN, TV Land, Nick.(David Bittler; Nickelodeon, other MTV Networks)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... NEW YORK: David Bittler has been promoted to VP of communications for Nickelodeon, TV Land, and TNN, all channels in the MTV Networks division of Viacom. Bittler was formerly senior communications director for kid's cable channel...

Singer and Ketchum unite to pull in Pabst.(Singer Associates Ketchum agencies; Pabst Brewing Co.)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... SAN ANTONIO: Beer brewer Pabst Brewing Company has tapped Singer Associates and Ketchum to promote its more than 40 brands of beer. The agencies, which pitched for the brewer's PR business together, will work as joint AORs to strengthen...

Memphis hires firm to build support for transit system.(Memphis Area Transit Authority hired Thompson Baker & Berry PR )(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... MEMPHIS, TN: With the first phase of its new light-rail system under construction and the second on the drawing board, the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) has hired a local agency to build public support. Thompson Baker & Berry PR...

SUV owners group drives at offering media information.(Sport Utility Vehicle Owners of America markets itself)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... WASHINGTON: The Sport Utility Vehicle Owners of America, a grassroots group started in 1999, is in the midst of a major membership push and revamping of its website as it seeks to become a source of pro-SUV information that the media can turn...

Club Med gets Wiser to head marketing.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... CORAL GABLES, FL: Club Med has named Mark Wiser as its new VP of marketing for North America, also overseeing PR and special events. The company is readying an extensive two-year marketing effort to regain dominance in the...

New Allergan plan looking to change view of glaucoma.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... DURHAM, NC: Webb Patterson, AOR for Allergan's glaucoma medication Lumigan, has added a new component to its ongoing national awareness campaign: Partnership for Sight, a voluntary group designed to educate consumers about risk factors. ...

German and French brands stand to suffer.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... RESTON, VA: French and German companies operating in the US need to begin emphasizing their ties to the American economy to prevent a consumer backlash against their governments' decision not to support the US against Iraq. That conclusion...

EDITORIAL: Media pays PR a compliment by asking why HealthSouth employed Hervey to begin with.(Editorial)
April 7, 2003... Even The Wall Street Journal could not resist gleefully exposing the background of HealthSouth's head of marketing and PR. Jason Hervey, former child star of The Wonder Years, was elevated to the post of head of marketing and PR by the...

OP-ED: PR pros have the power to assuage war-induced fears.(Editorial)
April 7, 2003... Sitting at the computer, we often reach a moment where suddenly the machine flashes a 'not responding' message. In computer language it's a way to not continue, and it happens when the PC loses its direction and doesn't know what to do next....

ORGANIZATION: Case Study - Success stories help Peace Corps reinforce its ranks.
April 7, 2003... A mention in the 2002 State of the Union address buoyed the Peace Corps' strong image, but also prompted a ramped-up recruiting drive - one that PR will play a key role in facilitating. Most people remember President Bush's 2002 State of...

MEDIA WATCH: Oscar acceptance speech adds to Moore's controversial image.
April 7, 2003... Filmmaker Michael Moore is known to be a direct and controversial figure. The Detroit Free Press (March 24) referred to the Michigan native as 'a professional provocateur with deeply held left-wing beliefs,' and described his latest film,...

MEDIA ROUNDUP: Travel reporters still on the move during tough times.
April 7, 2003... It may be tough for the travel market now, but many editors still have space to fill. And with war in Iraq and a weak economy, there's more focus on cheap destinations that are closer to home, finds David Ward. It may be hard to find an...

MEDIA PROFILE: Country Home skips sleek to stay focused on 'the way we live'.
April 7, 2003... Country Home is no longer concerned with ideals suggested by its name, and instead looks at modern family life. So when pitching, keep it simple and make sure it looks good. Country Home has abandoned outdated notions of country living, and...

PROFILE: Mirelson plots new media relations course for NASA.(retired US Army Colonel Robert N. 'Doc' Mirelson )
April 7, 2003... After two decades of doing public affairs for the US Army, Robert Mirelson knows how vital it is to be open and accessible. As Kimberly Krautter reports, he has taken those qualities to NASA. His blue worsted wool suit is military crisp and...

U.S. AND THEM.
April 7, 2003... Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore had no inhibitions about speaking out against the US invasion of Iraq while receiving his Oscar But American companies doing business abroad need to be a bit more circumspect than the mercurial Moore. ...

MARKET FOCUS: MARKET RESEARCH - A question of cost.
April 7, 2003... While few in PR doubt the value of doing up-front market research, the opinions vary over who should pay for it. Sherri Deatherage Green reports. Mounting a PR campaign without market research may be a little like ordering dinner for a...

PR TECHNIQUE: MEDIA RELATIONS - Clarity not clutter: how to write boilerplates.
April 7, 2003... Boilerplates can be helpful tools in introducing a company or product to the media. The most effective ones, finds Matthew Creamer, are succinct rather than superfluous. Deadline approaches, and a journalist somewhere is trying to file a...

CAMPAIGN: AICPA focuses on women investors to build credibility.(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants )
April 7, 2003... PR Team: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (New York) and Stanton Crenshaw (New York) Campaign: Women's Financial Health Week Time Frame: January 14-18, 2002 (and January 13-17, 2003) Budget: dollars 250,000 ...

CAMPAIGN: GLAAD's efforts up press' reception of same-sex unions.(Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)
April 7, 2003... PR Team: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (New York) Campaign: Announcing Equality Time Frame: 2002 - ongoing Budget: Under dollars 5,000 The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has never been afraid of a...

CAMPAIGN: NYSCC gets good mileage pushing canals' proximity.(New York State Canal Corporation )(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... PR Team: New York State Canal Corporation (Albany, NY) and Eric Mower & Associates (Rochester, NY) Campaign: Promotion of Canal System Time Frame: February - September 2002 Budget: dollars 48,000 After the September 11...

THE PUBLICIST: Publicists' heads spin as the media displays knack for PR.
April 7, 2003... Hollywood publicists are often considered the masters of spin, capable of convincing the masses that Matthew McConaughey can act, or that the entire world actually gives a hoot about the Academy Awards. But now we're being bested by a fierce...

PR PLAY OF THE WEEK: What a Girl Wants is to stay out of war talk.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... LOS ANGELES: Warner Brothers' new chick flick, What a Girl Wants, has a message for its pre-teen audience: Be yourself. The studio's marketing arm has amended that sentiment to reflect current world conditions: Be yourself, but only if you...

TOY BOX: CD fans will like the sound of RioVolt.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... The RioVolt SP350 is found in the 'portable MP3 players' section of most stores and websites. Even the product's packaging has a prominent label that boasts Rio as the 'No 1 best selling MP3 brand.' While this is somewhat true, it is a bit...

BOOK REVIEW: Bush speechwriter talks for himself.(The Right Man: The Surprise Presidency of George W. Bush)(Book Review)
April 7, 2003... Title: The Right Man: The Surprise Presidency of George W. Bush Author: David Frum Publisher: Random House, 384 pages Reviewed by: Douglas Quenqua Speechwriters have a unique view of the White House's messaging process. ...

Tutwiler in talks to succeed Beers as head of US public diplomacy.(Margaret Tutwiler may replace Charlotte Beers as undersecretary of state for public affairs in public diplomacy)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... WASHINGTON: Margaret Tutwiler, ambassador to Morocco and longtime Republican strategist, is reportedly in negotiations with the Bush administration to assume the role recently vacated by Charlotte Beers. Beers, an icon among ad execs before...

HealthSouth looks to Joele Frank amid growing PR ills.(Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher)
April 14, 2003... BIRMINGHAM, AL: Three weeks after healthcare services provider HealthSouth began to unravel in a manner reminiscent of Enron and WorldCom, the company decided it was time to hire a crisis PR specialist, tapping New York-based Joele Frank,...

Kellogg's selects R&A to lead brand marketing efforts.(Rogers & Associates)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... LOS ANGELES: Kellogg's has chosen LA-based Rogers & Associates (R&A) as AOR for brand and marketing communications. The food giant also works with Golin/Harris International as an AOR. The two agencies will share the right to bid for...

Hong Kong taps Burson to up US interest.(Burson-Marsteller)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... WASHINGTON: The city of Hong Kong has chosen Burson-Marsteller to take over its long-running campaign to attract US business investment. The two-year, dollars 500,000 effort aims to portray Hong Kong as the most independent and...

Bank of New York names first head of global comms.(R. Jeep Bryant becomes MD and global head of corporate communications)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... NEW YORK: The Bank of New York, the US' oldest bank, has appointed R. Jeep Bryant to the new post of MD and global head of corporate communications. Bryant will report to Thomas A. Renyi, chairman and CEO. Bryant, 39, had been SVP and...

Hollywood ups security at screenings to fight piracy.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... LOS ANGELES: Night-vision goggles, bag searches, and metal detectors are just a few of the security measures Hollywood studios are turning to at media and market-research screenings in an effort to stem digital piracy of new feature films. ...

Washington Mutual issues RFQ for PR job.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... SEATTLE: Washington Mutual has issued an RFQ to PR firms for an undisclosed project. Washington Mutual runs its PR internally, said EVP of corporate relations Bill Ehrlich, but the bank often works with agencies on individual projects. ...

Soft drink makers begin to test recycling initiative.(National Soft Drink Association is involved)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... WASHINGTON: The National Soft Drink Association has begun testing an integrated campaign to promote recycling. The test is planned to coincide with the summer months, a high-soft-drink-consumption period. Davis & Co.'s Washington, DC office...

Senior staffers at Ketchum Chicago take on new tasks.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... CHICAGO: Ketchum has shuffled senior managers in its Chicago office, promoting J. Adaire Putnam to director. Michael Hatcliffe, formerly office director, has been named senior counselor, and will work with the office's largest clients. ...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Talk-Line continues using Edelman.(ConAgra's Butterball Turkey Talk-Line)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... DOWNERS GROVE, IL: ConAgra's Butterball Turkey Talk-Line has decided to continue using Edelman as its PR agency after speaking to two other agencies about possibly handling the account. The assignment is expected to generate between dollars...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Burton named officer at Golin/Harris.(Keith Burton will become chief client officer at Golin/Harris International)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... CHICAGO: Keith Burton has been named chief client officer at Golin/Harris International, and Ellen Ryan Mardiks has been named chief marketing officer. Burton is worldwide director of Golin's corporate and employee communications practice, and...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Kessler joins Fleishman-Hillard board.(David Kessler)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... ST. LOUIS: David Kessler, former commissioner of the FDA, has joined Fleishman-Hillard's international advisory board. He becomes a part of a panel that includes Louis Sullivan, former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Newt Gingrich,...

NEWS IN BRIEF: EOne Global selects AOR.(Citigate Cunningham has been chosen)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... ATLANTA: EOne Global has selected Citigate Cunningham as its AOR. The agency's Cambridge, MA office will provide strategic counsel, media relations, speaking opportunities, and event support for the company. The company develops transaction...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Ogilvy PR Worldwide adds to unit.(Advent Software, Legato Systems and Tadpole Computer are added)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: Ogilvy PR Worldwide has added three clients to its global technology unit: Advent Software, which develops software for investment professionals in the financial industry; enterprise information-management company Legato Systems;...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Wayne Hummer retains Weber Shandwick.(Wayne Hummer Investments)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... CHICAGO: Weber Shandwick has been retained by Wayne Hummer Investments following a competitive review. The account will be handled by WS' financial services marketing practice based in Chicago. Wayne Hummer Investments offers advice and...

NEWS IN BRIEF: T3 hired to help build brand.(NetSolve is the chooser)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... AUSTIN, TX: NetSolve has hired T3 to help build the company's brand, develop customer-acquisition programs, and create customer-development programs. NetSolve develops remote network and security-management technology and services.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Modulog selects HMH.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... PORTLAND, OR: Modulog, which manufactures log siding that makes framed houses look like custom log homes, has selected HMH to help the company publicize its products.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Rubenstein adds to roster.(Rubenstein Public Relations adds HealthExpo and New York College of Health Professionals)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... NEW YORK: Rubenstein Public Relations has added two new clients to its roster. HealthExpo is a channel that puts marketers in touch with consumers at state fairs and other entertainment venues. In addition, Rubenstein will provide PR support to...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Trylon named AOR.(Corbis chooses Trylon Communications)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... NEW YORK: Trylon Communications has been named AOR by Corbis, a Seattle-based company that licenses images for use by ad agencies, filmmakers, and magazines. The firm will begin working to position the brand and develop a messaging strategy.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Levy opens own agency.(Amy Levy)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... LOS ANGELES: Amy Levy, former director of marketing and media relations for the Anti-Defamation League in its Pacific Southwest region, has opened her own agency. The firm specializes in cultural institutions, restaurants, gourmet food...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Datatel hires Raleigh.(hires French/West/Vaughan public affairs and public relations work)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... WASHINGTON, DC: Datatel has hired Raleigh, NC-based French/West/Vaughan for public affairs and PR work. The information technology company serves institutions of higher education across the country.

Miramax charges Pflug, Hiltzik with corporate PR task.(Paul Pflug hired by Miramax Films as EVP of media relations and corporate communications)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... LOS ANGELES: Miramax Films has hired Paul Pflug, Artisan Entertainment's former head of PR, as EVP of media relations and corporate communications. The studio has also promoted Matthew Hiltzik to SVP of corporate communications. Pflug...

Siebel hires Tenderich away from Applied.(Burghardt Tenderich hired as vice president of public relations at Siebel Systems)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... SAN MATEO, CA: Burghardt Tenderich has left Applied Communications to take the new role of VP of public relations at Siebel Systems. The appointment of Tenderich, who was SVP and partner at Applied, follows the arrival of Jeff Pulver, who...

Al-Sahaf charade prompts ethical questions for press.
April 14, 2003... NEW YORK: As the voice of Iraqi officialdom and the link between the Hussein regime and the outside world, Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf has been the face of the Iraqi wartime PR effort. But al-Sahaf's apocalyptic rhetoric bespeaking the...

Burson teams with Jasculca to pick up PA jobs in Midwest.(Burson-Marsteller, Jasculca/Terman & Associates team to gain public affairs business)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... CHICAGO: Burson-Marsteller has formed a strategic alliance with public affairs shop Jasculca/ Terman & Associates, designed to expand Burson's public affairs capabilities in the Midwest. Jasculca, which will remain independent, expects to...

Foreign companies look to build boycott strategy.(Organization for International Investment represents foreign companies)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... WASHINGTON: A group representing foreign companies operating in the US hopes to work with the US Chamber of Commerce and other business associations to formulate PR messages that multinationals can use globally to deflect possible boycotts and...

Library issues RFP with major events starting next year.(Library of Congress)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... WASHINGTON: The Library of Congress, one of the world's largest reading institutions, has issued an RFP for public relations and event support. The contract could span five years. The solicitation includes several tasks, including the...

Contestants were lining up around block.(CBS' Star Search uses Formula PR to hype its "Star Search Express" mobile audition bus)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... At the start of the reality TV craze, contestants were lining up around the block for a chance at money and infamy alike. With dozens of new shows hitting the airwaves, celebrity wannabes still show up for their chance at the big time, but the...