PR Week (US) articles from August 2003

PR Week (US) archives from August 2003

Omnicom optimistic as its PR agencies show top-line improvement.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK: The senior management of Omnicom Group, which owns several of the world's largest PR agencies, last week gave a cautiously optimistic outlook for the PR business for the first time in recent memory. On a conference call with...

CA reputation impacted as recall media frenzy grows.
August 4, 2003... SACRAMENTO: The media frenzy surrounding the attempt to recall Gov. Gray Davis (D-CA) has left both sides scrambling to gain advantage heading into the expected ballot measure this October. Recall supporters' efforts have focused on rallies...

Cox hires Jimenez as new director of corporate comms.(Cox Enterprises, Robert Jimenez)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... ATLANTA: Cox Enterprises has named Robert Jimenez its director of corporate communications. The move is effective August 18. In his new position, Jimenez will report to Tim Hughes, SVP for administration, and will oversee internal...

Pentagon makes moves to contain complaints from US troops in Iraq.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... WASHINGTON: After several troops made some highly publicized negative comments to the media about the war effort in Iraq, the Pentagon has taken steps to keep the frustrations of both soldiers and their families out of reports. According...

CBS report shows value of catering to older audience.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... LOS ANGELES: When CBS released findings two weeks ago that showed that the 25-54 age demographic is the most important to media buyers, it seemed like a deft PR move. But the network's poll of more than 1,000 media buyers and planners did...

Marx, Sprung add IRG to their portfolio.(Independent Research Group has hired Marx Communications and Sprung PR )(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK: Independent Research Group (IRG), a wholly owned subsidiary of financial news website TheStreet.com, has hired Marx Communications and Sprung PR as a joint team to promote IRG's new independent stock research. IRG is one of a...

Fuji picks Text 100 to take over for Edelman as AOR.(Fuji Photo Film USA; agency of record)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... ELMSFORD, NY: Fuji Photo Film USA has picked Text 100 as its new AOR after a three-month review that came down to Text 100 and Stanton Crenshaw. Fuji had previously worked with Edelman for 21 years. Text 100 will work with Fuji on corporate...

Ketchum creates leading role for its entertainment unit.(Mark Malinowski will act as director for Ketchum Entertaiment Marketing)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK: Ketchum last week named SVP Mark Malinowski to the newly created role of director of entertainment marketing for the agency's network. Malinowski is now director of Ketchum Entertainment Marketing (KEM). Filling this position...

NEWS BRIEF: Applied and Sun working together again.(Applied Communications and Sun Microsystems)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: Just days after Applied Communications and Sun Microsystems parted ways, the two are working together again. Applied stopped working with Sun in late July after just three months because of a conflict. However, Applied resolved...

NEWS BRIEF: Appointments at WWE.(World Wrestling Entertainment has named Neil Lawi VP of publicity and Dan Levi as VP of brand marketing)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... STAMFORD, CT: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) announced that it has named Neil Lawi VP of publicity and Dan Levi as VP of brand marketing. Lawi, a former VP of media for Columbia Records, will be in charge of the placement of WWE superstars...

NEWS BRIEF: Jay Devine and Vince Powers launch new PR firm.(called Devine & Powers Communications Group)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... PHILADELPHIA: Jay Devine, former EVP and GM of PR at Tierney Communications, and Vince Powers, former president of Boyd Tamney Cross Public Relations and VP with Tierney, have announced the launch of Devine & Powers Communications Group, a new...

NEWS BRIEF: F/W/V hired for marketing campaign.(French/West/Vaughan has been hired by the America's Historic Triangle Vacation Package)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... RALEIGH, NC: French/West/Vaughan (F/W/V) has been hired by the America's Historic Triangle Vacation Package. F/W/V will create a marketing campaign promoting the package, which includes Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, the...

NEWS BRIEF: James Baar forms new virtual agency.(called The Literati Group)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... CHICAGO: James Baar, former worldwide director of Hill & Knowlton's advanced technology practice, has formed a new virtual agency, The Literati Group.

NEWS BRIEF: Domco Tarkett retains Gibbs & Soell.(Gibbs & Soell Public Relations)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK: Domco Tarkett has retained Gibbs & Soell Public Relations to promote its new corporate identity and brand-positioning program. Domco Tarkett is one of the world's largest manufacturers of resilient and hardwood flooring.

NEWS BRIEF: Ketchum picks up five new accounts.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... WASHINGTON: Ketchum has picked up five new healthcare accounts: Montefiore Medical Center, Wyeth Consumer Health (Robitussin), Celera Genomics, Celera Diagnostics, and Solvay Pharmaceuticals.

NEWS BRIEF: AtomicPR adds two new clients to roster.(AmberPoint and Creation Point)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: AtomicPR has added two new start-up technology clients to its roster: AmberPoint and Creation Point. Creation Point has hired the agency to help with PR strategy and launch activities for its network security and recovery...

NEWS BRIEF: Kamber Group names president.(Dr. Thomas J. Mackell Jr.)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... WASHINGTON: Dr. Thomas J. Mackell Jr. has been named president and COO of The Kamber Group, a public affairs and communications firm. Victor Kamber, who founded the company in 1980, will continue as chairman and CEO.

NEWS BRIEF: Appointments at Weber Shandwick.(named Roderick Clayton an EVP in its corporate issues group and Carmen Lawrence VP of its multicultural communications group)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... LOS ANGELES: Weber Shandwick has named Roderick Clayton an EVP in the firm's corporate issues group, and Carmen Lawrence VP of its multicultural communications group. Clayton was previously an SVP, while Lawrence was an account director.

NEWS BRIEF: Lewis PR to open third US office.(in downtown San Francisco)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: Lewis PR will open its third US office this week in downtown San Francisco. VP Lucy Allen will run the office, and she will bring two other staff members with her from the San Diego office.

NEWS BRIEF: Correction.(Correction Notice)
August 4, 2003... The map that accompanied the Global Report in the July 21 issue of PRWeek did not include tables for Brodeur Worldwide and The Hoffman Agency. For the fully updated map in pdf format, please go to www.prweek.com and click on Archive, then...

GM picks new AOR to handle Hispanic marketing efforts.(General Motors hired C/I Hispana as its agency of record for the Hispanic community)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... DETROIT: General Motors has hired C/I Hispana as its agency of record for the Hispanic community. GM had been using Ruido Group, a multicultural marketing firm, for Hispanic PR. That agency will continue working on Latino youth and...

New website looks to help coordinate flash-mob events.(Flocksmart.com is created to connect flash-mob organizers, participants)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: In a bizarre summer trend, flash mobs have started to appear in cities across America - and earlier this month, a website was launched to facilitate them. The stunts consist of dozens or even hundreds of participants...

KeepMedia launches with low-key PR plan.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... REDWOOD SHORES, CA: Louis Borders last week launched his first business venture since the collapse of Webvan, the online grocery store whose saga was one of the most spectacular failures of the dot-com era. The publicity strategy this time...

Telecoms open fire on MCI as new allegations surface.
August 4, 2003... ASHBURN, VA: MCI's reputation - and now perhaps its existence - is once again on the line, this time due to allegations that the company defrauded its competitors for a decade. The accusation and subsequent investigation just adds to MCI's...

Veritas hunting for agency of record to replace Applied.(Applied Communications)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA: Storage software company Veritas is issuing an RFP for a new AOR. The search will be handled in-house. Veritas has worked with Applied Communications for two-and-a-half years, but the agency has declined an invitation to...

Richardson hosts senators in NM for second TX escape.(Texas Democratic state senators flee to New Mexico to block quorum for redistricting vote)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... ALBUQUERQUE, NM: Texas' ongoing congressional redistricting fracas took a left turn to Albuquerque last week. That is where Democratic state senators fled to block a quorum in the Texas State Senate, thus preventing passage of a controversial...

Ketchum, IDC team up to evaluate channel comms.(Ketchum, International Data Corp. develop ChannelEdge service)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... CHICAGO: One year after Ketchum and International Data (IDC) teamed up to offer ChannelEdge, they are ready to unveil the next stage of that offering: the PACE Index. ChannelEdge is designed to help tech companies develop strategies for...

Belkin chosen for new VP of comms position at PhRMA.(Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America named Ed Belkin vice president of communications)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... WASHINGTON: The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has named Ed Belkin VP of communications. The former SVP for Hill & Knowlton will report to Richard Smith, PhRMA's senior VP of policy and strategic communications,...

Southwest signs on for new reality show.(A&E will feature Southwest Airlines on new "Airline" reality television program in the United States)
August 4, 2003... DALLAS: A&E made Southwest Airlines a PR offer it couldn't resist: a starring role in a realty TV show. The cable channel is teaming with Granada Productions on an American version of Airline. Granada has produced six seasons of Airline in...

Continental hits the road to show its role in car safety.(Continental Teves)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... THOMPSONVILLE, MI: A major auto supplier plans to spend more than dollars 1 million on a PR campaign to convince consumers they should ask for electronic stability controls in the new cars and SUVs they buy. Continental Teves, which makes...

Top appointments named at FD after MBO from Cordiant.(Financial Dynamics)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK: Three weeks removed from an MBO that separated London-based Financial Dynamics (FD) from its struggling parent firm Cordiant, the US-based operations of FD, which was formerly known as Morgen-Walke, began to round out its management...

Funeral directors to stage education push.(National Funeral Directors Association launching public relations campaign)
August 4, 2003... BROOKFIELD, WI: The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is launching its first-ever national PR campaign, which is designed to improve the public's image of funeral directors. Association staffers spent the past nine months...

Both sides in SUV war launch PR efforts.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... DETROIT: The PR war over SUVs is heating up with both pro-SUV and anti-SUV forces launching new initiatives to take their cases to the public. The Sport Utility Vehicle Owners of America started the latest exchange with ads - and an...

Kia picks PR21 as its new agency in American market.(Kia Motors America)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... IRVINE, CA: Kia Motors America has picked PR21 as its new PR agency in the US. The assignment should generate annual fees for the firm in the high six-figure range. The length of the contract is still being negotiated, said Kim Custer, director...

Neutral website sets record straight on Allied death toll in Iraq war.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... DECATUR, GA: One man's dissatisfaction with conflicting press reports over Allied deaths in Iraq has led to him to create a web site that has had as many as 38,000 visitors in a single day since its launch. But don't go to the bluntly...

Former Gore aide to head Northeast unit for Mindshare.(Brian Reich)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... BOSTON: Washington, DC-based online public affairs shop Mindshare Internet Campaigns has tapped a former aide to Vice President Al Gore, Brian Reich, to head its Northeast operations. Reich will also head the firm's new office in Boston. ...

New casino draws workers with dollars 200k research effort.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... ATLANTIC CITY, NJ: The Borgata, which opened its doors in early July as Atlantic City's first new casino in 13 years, enlisted New Jersey PR firm The Cherenson Group to conduct an employee relations market-research campaign that cost the casino...

Manugistics drops Ogilvy as AOR and brings in Edelman.(Ogilvy PR Worldwide, agency of record)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... ROCKVILLE, MD: Supply-chain management-software company Manugistics has tapped Edelman as its US agency of record, dropping Ogilvy PR Worldwide after three years with the agency. VP of corporate communications Deirdre Blackwood said she...

EDITORIAL: Surveying PR's general standing among major corporations as it looks for a 'seat at the table'.(Editorial)
August 4, 2003... PR professionals routinely use terms like 'seat at the table' to denote strategic input at the highest level of an organization. Perhaps that phrase is becoming something of a cliche, but the ideal is not. As the business community marks the...

OP-ED: Widespread scrutiny necessitates better corporate PR management.
August 4, 2003... These are the most challenging times in recent memory for today's corporate communications executives. The business and financial media are more critical than ever. Eager to make up for their 'irrational exuberance' over dot-coms and...

OP-ED: Talent strategy is key to a firm's business prospects.(Industry Overview)
August 4, 2003... It's a truism that a PR agency's most important assets leave the building each night and return the next morning. If so, then every smart agency should have a strategic plan to continually improve and build the best possible team and, in turn,...

ANALYSIS: Reviving Brands - Old brands find new life by appealing to young crowd.
August 4, 2003... Since 20-somethings don't like to be marketed to, getting them to embrace an old brand involves a careful use of key influencers, not a big media blitz. Consumer brands have life cycles much like those of rock stars and politicians: They...

PAUL HOLMES: Kobe Bryant would be well advised to save his best spin moves for the basketball court.
August 4, 2003... One of the things about spin is that it should not be too transparent. Students of the art will remember securities fraudster Michael Milken taking disadvantaged kids to baseball games in an obvious - and entirely unconvincing - attempt to...

ORGANIZATION CASE STUDY: Williamsburg's progressive PR is steeped in history.
August 4, 2003... Even though Colonial Williamsburg is all about history and the old way of doing things, its PR efforts are forward-looking and inventive in a time when tourists are hard to attract. Douglas Quenqua reports. The New York Daily News reported...

MEDIA WATCH: Corvette declared American icon upon reaching 50th birthday.
August 4, 2003... In late June, General Motors' Chevrolet division celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Corvette with a birthday party in Nashville, TN, the nearest big city to Bowling Green, KY, home to the lone Corvette factory. Reports say the event,...

MEDIA ROUNDUP: Auto racing is cruising toward media acceptance.
August 4, 2003... Though motor sports enjoy enormous popularity, mainstream outlets have been slow to provide coverage. But once they catch on, they tend to get more involved - much like the fans. David Ward reports. Auto racing is the fastest-growing sport...

MEDIA PROFILE: MBA Jungle shows the fun side of life in the white-collar world.(periodical drops MBA; changes name to Jungle)
August 4, 2003... MBA Jungle, soon to be known simply as Jungle, eschews stock advice and other serious subjects for an entertaining look at what it takes to succeed - and make life more fun. Alison Bradley reports. For three years now, MBA Jungle, a...

PROFILE: Harris' world of PR experience fits the Ducks' bill.(biography of Charles Harris, PR agent for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks)
August 4, 2003... With a PR career that has taken him from southern California to Israel and back, Charles Harris proves that sometimes the most fruitful journeys land you where it all began. Gideon Fidelzeid reports. 'You only live once. In that time, you...

STRATEGY BY NUMBERS: Up-front research doesn't yet have a permanent place in PR.
August 4, 2003... Everybody knows they should get their cars tuned up at 50,000 miles. But if money's tight, a motorist might make do with an oil change and put off the rest. Or, they might do it themselves if they have the right tools in the garage. Market...

MARKET FOCUS: Recruitment and Training - Talent count.(Industry Overview)
August 4, 2003... As the industry demands greater intellectual capital, employers are taking it upon themselves to train new hires. There's a lot of talk these days about 'the talent deficit' in PR, an alleged lack of qualified professionals to fill what...

PR TECHNIQUE: Employee Communications - Inside story: The role of employee newsletters.
August 4, 2003... Once dominated by syrupy stories, employee newsletters have become multimedia forums explaining the relevant impact of company events on staffers. Not too long ago, company newsletters weren't much more than a place where you'd find short...

CAMPAIGNS: Nordyne deal with recognized brand hits homeowners.
August 4, 2003... PR Team: Vandiver Group (St. Louis) Campaign: Maytag heating and cooling equipment launch for Nordyne (O'Fallon, MO) Time Frame: June-December 2002 Budget: About dollars 30,000 Several years ago, manufacturer Nordyne decided to take...

CAMPAIGNS: Classic-era tours recapture storied past of train travel.
August 4, 2003... PR Team: Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell (Orlando, Fla.) Campaign: Reliving the Golden Era of Rail Travel Time Frame: May 1, 2002-ongoing Budget: dollars 84,000 annually But those early stories focused on the novelty of a train...

CAMPAIGNS: Media effort helps terrorist victim tap into federal funds.
August 4, 2003... PR Team: Shearman & Sterling (New York) Campaign: September 11 and recognizing common law marriage in New York State Time Frame: January-July 2002 Budget: dollars 3,000 Shearman & Sterling, a global law firm, took on many pro bono...

THE PUBLICIST: Production can sometimes be a bigger hit than the film itself.
August 4, 2003... Anytime I watch a film I've worked on, a flood of memories comes back, good and bad. Sitting in a half-empty theater with requisite M&Ms and smuggled sandwich, I felt an entire six-month experience wash over me in 90 minutes. All those nights...

PR PLAY OF THE WEEK: Art center wins big press with dollars 150 raffle.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... LOS ANGELES: How much would you pay for an ocean-view mansion in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in southern California? How about dollars 150? Last week, the Palos Verdes Art Center (PVAC), a community organization offering art...

TOY BOX: ViewSonic's V35 displays itself proudly.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 4, 2003... ViewSonic's V35 Pocket PC is a highly functional and economical PDA choice for PC users. The crisp, full-color display also looks great on the 3.5' screen. It's preloaded with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Windows Media Player - a...

BOOK REVIEW: A look inside the world of US diplomacy.(Propaganda, Inc.: Selling America's Culture to the World, 2nd ed.)(Book Review)
August 4, 2003... Title Propaganda, Inc.: Selling America's Culture to the World, 2nd ed. Author Nancy Snow Publisher Seven Stories Press, 109 pages Reviewed by Douglas Quenqua Before the State Department absorbed it in 1999, the USIA wandered the...

H&K enacts crisis plan after sending unauthorized press release.(Hill & Knowlton)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... LOS ANGELES: Hill & Knowlton had to use its crisis-management skills on itself last week after it disseminated a press release that announced a financial transaction by one of its clients had been finalized, when in fact it had not. On...

Union and Verizon trade PR shots as details are scarce.
August 11, 2003... WASHINGTON: Few details emerged from the contract negotiations between Verizon and its two main unions last week, but that didn't mean the PR battle was any less pitched. Both sides agreed to withhold the specifics of the talks, and...

James Rubin set to deliver keynote at ICCO Summit 2003.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... NEW YORK: James Rubin, former assistant secretary of state and now a partner at Brunswick, will keynote the ICCO Summit 2003 in Berlin, Germany this coming October 16-17. The summit is being produced in association with PRWeek. 'With our...

Post claims State Dept. comms lapse fueled Powell resignation story.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... WASHINGTON: The State Department press office acted quickly to discredit a story that appeared on the front page of The Washington Post last Monday. The article reported that Secretary of State Colin Powell and his deputy Richard Armitage...

Telemarketing body calls in Klores to contest FCC list.(American Teleservices Association works with Dan Klores Communications)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... NEW YORK: Dan Klores Communications (DKC) has been working with the American Teleservices Association (ATA) to promote balanced news coverage of the national 'do not call' registry. The ATA, with offices in Indianapolis and Washington, DC,...

Trio of tech companies sign with SparkPR.(RealNetworks, nVidia, and Seybold)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: RealNetworks, nVidia, and Seybold are the latest companies to hire SparkPR for communications services. 'We've been getting slammed,' said Donna Sokolsky, senior MD of the agency. 'We just got a new client called Emode. The...

Quaker taps TV moms to introduce breakfast bar.(famous TV moms handed out samples of Quaker Oats' new Quaker Oatmeal Breakfast Squares)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... CHICAGO: Quaker Oats is putting major PR muscle behind the rollout of its new Quaker Oatmeal Breakfast Squares. Initial efforts following the July 30 product launch included having three famous TV moms hand out samples of the new squares in...

Brunswick brings in Carmichael as new partner in DC.(Brunswick Group, Barbara 'Barie' Carmichael )(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... WASHINGTON: The Brunswick Group, the trans-Atlantic PR firm, has named Barbara 'Barie' Carmichael a partner. She will be based in the firm's Washington, DC office. Most recently, Carmichael was EVP at Visa. She sat on the executive...

NEWS BRIEF: Pro Sports MVP steps aside.(as representative of New York Yankee Alfonso Soriano)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... NEW YORK: Colorado Springs, CO-based Pro Sports MVP, which had represented New York Yankee Alfonso Soriano for the past four months, has agreed to step aside to allow the second baseman's contract agent SFX handle his marketing activities.

NEWS BRIEF: Fleishman-Hillard rehires Malin Jennings.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... WASHINGTON: Fleishman-Hillard has rehired SVP Malin Jennings, who returns after three years directing public affairs for the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks. Jennings will work with the agency's corporate reputation group. Fleishman also...

NEWS BRIEF: Lewis to acquire Blackie McDonald Asia-Pacific operations.
August 11, 2003... SAN DIEGO: Technology PR firm Lewis intends to acquire the Asia-Pacific operations of Blackie McDonald, a leading communications firm in that region. The acquisition will add offices to Lewis' global network in Singapore, Melbourne, and Sydney,...

NEWS BRIEF: Q1 Labs selects Birnbach Communications.(for public relations services)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... ATLANTA: Q1 Labs has selected Birnbach Communications for PR services on an upcoming product launch. The firm will focus on media relations, product reviews, and analyst relations to launch the next version of Q1 Labs' QVision technology, which...

NEWS BRIEF: DotPhoto chooses Weber Shandwick.(as its agency of record)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... WEST TRENTON, NJ: DotPhoto has selected Weber Shandwick as its agency of record. The company provides online photo printing and sharing services, including an image portal where members can print, share, and sell digital photos online or via...

NEWS BRIEF: Allison & Partners adds two more clients to roster.(1-800-Radiator and Pillsbury & Levinson)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: Allison & Partners has added two more clients to its roster: 1-800-Radiator, the largest internet provider of automotive radiators in the US; and law firm Pillsbury & Levinson, which provides legal services regarding insurance...

NEWS BRIEF: KremsPR adds three new clients.(Comarco, Commtouch, and Natrol)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA: KremsPR has added three new clients, and expanded contracts with three others. The new clients are Comarco, which makes power-source products for mobile computing devices; Commtouch, which develops anti-spam technology;...

NEWS BRIEF: Environics Communications adds new client.(Linguagen Corporation)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... STAMFORD, CT: Environics Communications has added Cranbury, NJ-based biotechnology company Linguagen Corporation to its list of healthcare and medical clients.

NEWS BRIEF: Rubenstein adds new clients to roster.(Rubenstein Public Relations has added Meadowcroft Estate Lifestyle Services by Related Rentals and Hampton Retreats)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... NEW YORK: Rubenstein Public Relations has added Meadowcroft Estate Lifestyle Services by Related Rentals and Hampton Retreats to its real-estate client roster.

NEWS BRIEF: Investor Relations Company retained for program.(by Great Western Land and Recreation)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... DES PLAINES, IL: Scottsdale, AZ-based Great Western Land and Recreation has retained The Investor Relations Company for a full investor relations program.

NEWS BRIEF: Theatre chain hires LaBreche for annual report.(Regal Entertainment Group)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... MINNEAPOLIS: Regal Entertainment Group, Murray County's largest theater chain, has hired LaBreche to produce its annual report. Regal, based in Knoxville, TN, owns the Regal, United Artists, and Edwards movie theaters.

NEWS BRIEF: Charleston Orwig picked for PR and event management.(by the National Livestock Producers Association)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... HARTLAND, WI: The National Livestock Producers Association has picked Charleston Orwig as its marketing communications agency of record. The agency will handle PR and event management for the association, which represents cooperatives in the...

Spector finds text terror alerts tough to sell to telecoms.(Shelley Spector of Spector & Associates advocates text-messaging system for terrorism alerts)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... NEW YORK: Shelley Spector's campaign to develop a text-messaging system that would warn people of an imminent terrorist attack has been rewarding, yet frustrating. Spector, president of Spector & Associates, has applied for a patent for an...

Post covers spoof of its own attempt in tabloid market.(Washington City Paper spoofs Washington Post's The Express with The Expresso)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... WASHINGTON: The debut last week of The Washington Post's free tabloid newspaper The Express was met with a spoof from the city's alternative weekly that itself garnered high-profile media coverage - in the Post. To mock the tabloid's light...

GLAAD takes milder route in church debate.(Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... MINNEAPOLIS: Although one of the nation's leading gay-rights groups sought not to campaign aggressively over the confirmation of Rev. V. Gene Robinson as the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop, Robinson's successful accession last week...

BBG praised despite lack of information on its impact.(Broadcasting Board of Governors)
August 11, 2003... WASHINGTON: The US General Accounting Office (GAO) issued a report late last month praising recent advances in US diplomatic broadcasting efforts overseas, but stressed the need for clearer objectives and better measurement of their impact. ...

Peet's launches in hostile territory with media blitz.(Peet's Coffee and Tea Inc. enters Seattle market)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... SEATTLE: The opening of Peet's Coffee & Tea's first store in the coffee capital of America - and the home turf of industry giant Starbucks - was met with a mix of frothy excitement and dark-roasted fear. 'We have people from Seattle who...

GKV hired in dollars 30m marketing plan for ACA's new carrier.(Atlantic Coast Airlines has appointed GKV Communications for branding, marketing account for low-fare carrier)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... DULLES, VA: Atlantic Coast Airlines (ACA) has tapped Baltimore-based agency GKV Communications for a dollars 30 million branding and marketing account for its soon-to-launch low-fare carrier. ACA operates as United Express and Delta...