PR Week (US) articles from August 2007

PR Week (US) archives from August 2007

Google source feature draws mixed reviews.
August 13, 2007... MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA: Google's newly launched experimental feature that lets sources respond directly to the news stories the company indexes was met with great fanfare from the PR industry. The new technology allows newsmakers to comment on...

J&J, Red Cross debate logo-use lawsuit online.
August 13, 2007... WASHINGTON: Johnson & Johnson and the Red Cross are publicly clashing over a lawsuit that challenges the use of the Red Cross symbol in moneymaking ventures. J&J's civil suit, filed last week, charged the Red Cross with violating a...

McCormick & Co. enlists WS as consumer unit AOR.(Weber Shandwick )(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... CHICAGO: McCormick & Co. has named Weber Shandwick AOR for its US consumer products division through 2008. Laurie Harrsen, director of consumer communications for the division, said WS will provide PR support for current initiatives, as...

Murdoch deal no threat to 'Journal,' experts say.(Rupert Murdoch )(News Corp. acquired The Wall Street Journal )
August 13, 2007... NEW YORK: The transaction that brought Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal into the hands of News Corp. and Rupert Murdoch is not the grave threat to the newspaper's future that it has been made out to be, according to financial and media PR...

Radi education push touts PressureWire to doctors.
August 13, 2007... BOSTON: As the debate surrounding the future of medical stents continues to pick up steam, Radi Medical Systems has kicked off a major education campaign for its PressureWire device, intended to help doctors determine whether stents are...

Que Rica Vida relaunched.
August 13, 2007... MINNEAPOLIS: General Mills has relaunched its Spanish-language lifestyle magazine Que Rica Vida. The magazine is the cornerstone of the company's year-old, multi-brand Hispanic marketing initiative of the same name. It's distributed quarterly...

Blood Centre hires Ruder Finn.(appointment at New York Blood Center)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... NEW YORK: New York Blood Center has hired Ruder Finn to educate target audiences on the organization's various clinical services and programs. RF will work to increase local and national awareness of the center's research in transfusion...

Animal care practice group formed.(Fleishman-Hillard )(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... KANSAS CITY, MO: Fleishman-Hillard has formed an animal care practice group to serve the growing interest in the health of the country's pets. The practice will serve the communications needs of organizations that offer animal products and...

Rogers & Cowen AOR for Montblanc North America.(authorized organizational representative)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... NEW YORK: Montblanc North America has named Rogers & Cowan AOR. The agency's efforts will focus on strategic communications, media relations, ambassador building, and event management. Rogers & Cowan will also plan and implement campaigns to...

HPRW signs Web content partnerships.(Hispanic Public Relations Wire)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... MIAMI: Hispanic PR Wire (HPRW) has signed a number of Web content partnerships, bringing the number of Hispanic news Web sites where its clients' press releases are posted to more than 100. The new sites include LaMusica. com (HPRW's first...

Vocus launches Issues Wire.(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... LANHAM, MD: On-demand software provider Vocus has launched Issues Wire, an online news release distribution service dedicated to political and public interest issues. Releases are distributed to online news portals, such as Yahoo News, the AP,...

Ketchum announces Fashion Interactive 2.0.(Ketchum Advertising/Chicago)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... NEW YORK: Ketchum has announced a new apparel marketing initiative called Fashion Interactive 2.0. The initiative will rely on traditional and new-media tactics for fashion marketing to digital consumers. Roy Edmondson, SVP of the global brand...

Zannel selects CarryOn Communication.(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... LOS ANGELES: Mobile social network Zannel has selected CarryOn Communication to manage media and analyst relations, and support the launch of its first mobile instant media messaging product, to be released this fall

Echo Research and David Michaelson & Co agree merger.(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... NEW YORK: Echo Research and David Michaelson & Co. have agreed to terms for the firms to merge, with the Michaelson firm to operate under Echo Research Ltd., the US arm of the company. David Michaelson will assume the role of president of Echo...

Correction.(Correction notice)
August 13, 2007... CORRECTION: In 'Comms pros consult on US military report' in our July 30 issue, we incorrectly referred to Paige Craig as a woman, when, in fact, he is a man. We regret the error

Adfero Group launches Homeland Security arm.(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... WASHINGTON: Adfero Group, the DC-based public affairs firm, has launched a Homeland Security public affairs practice to service government, private sector, and nonprofit clients. The five-person practice already has clients, including the...

IPG posts strong Q2 figures.(Interpublic Group of Companies Inc.)(Financial report)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... NEW YORK: Interpublic Group (IPG) posted impressive results in the second quarter with quarterly revenue of dollars 1.65 billion, a 7.8% increase from Q2 2006. Total first-half revenue was dollars 3.01 billion, up 5.3% from dollars 2.86...

P&G unveils Febreze to Go.
August 13, 2007... CINCINNATI: P&G is launching its newest product in the Febreze line, Febreze to Go. The company will forgo other marketing efforts in favor of a grassroots PR push with the American Automobile Association's (AAA) Publishing Network. The...

Launch Pad: Spock hopes to give people what they are searching for.(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Organization: Spock.com Campaign: Launching its public beta site PR team: Blodgett Communications Other marketing: None, it was only PR Launch: August 8 Budget: Undisclosed IDEA: Spock.com's PR strategy has been to demonstrate the...

Logging on to prweek.com - Don't miss out.(Editorial)
August 13, 2007... Only on prweek.com: Tonya Garcia's Web-only column looks at the Maldives' environmental issues and tourist efforts. 'Photo after photo shows the natural beauty of the country... the serene, almost otherworldly blue waters surrounding the...

Alltel takes its 'Sales Guys' campaign online.
August 13, 2007... LITTLE ROCK, AR: Alltel has expanded its ad campaign that mocks competitors by adding social networking and online media components. As the US' fifth-largest national wireless provider, the campaign targets consumers who are looking to...

VSS report lauds PR.
August 13, 2007... NEW YORK: PR is set to be one of the fastest-growing sectors in the entire media and communications industry over the next five years, according to the new edition of the annual Communications Industry Forecast by the private equity firm...

Comms key to inVentiv's Q2 success.(earnings of inVentiv Communications)(Financial report)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... SOMERSET, NJ: InVentiv Health, which acquired Chandler Chicco Agency (CCA) last month for dollars 65 million, has announced Q2 revenues were up 27% from a year ago, with its communications division showing strong growth. Q2 revenue was...

PR Play of the Week: Selig covers all his bases with Bonds.(baseball commissioner Bud Selig )
August 13, 2007... It was clear from the getgo that baseball commissioner Bud Selig had no desire to be present when Barry 'Yes please, more steroids would be great!' Bonds broke Hank Aaron's iconic all-time home run record. Just from his body language, and...

NASA can learn from morgan.(school teacher Barbara Morgan)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... It's been a bumpy past few months for NASA, with a diapered astronaut and allegations of intoxication while flying disrupting its more noble missions. But there was finally something good to discuss last week when school teacher Barbara Morgan,...

Two-phase effort helps relaunch Today Sponge.(Synova Healthcare )
August 13, 2007... MEDIA, PA: Synova Healthcare recently initiated a two-phased PR program to support the relaunch of Today Sponge. The effort is targeted at healthcare professionals, as well as consumers. The American Home Products-manufactured Today Sponge...

Union calls on UC to cut ties to H&K.(American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees)(University of California)(Hill & Knowlton)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... OAKLAND, CA: A local chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has issued a letter (below) to University of California's (UC) president seeking the end of its contract with Hill & Knowlton, which has a...

Dial, Henkel unveil push to unite brands.(Website overview)
August 13, 2007... SCOTTSDALE, AZ: Dial Corporation and its parent company Henkel Corporation have kicked off both internal and external CSR promotions in an effort to unite the two brands in consumers' minds. On July 3, Henkel launched the Henkel Helps...

McD's touts snacks.(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... CHICAGO: McDonald's has coupled the launch of 'Take Back Snack Time' with the debut of the Chipotle BBQ Snack Wrap to its menu of between-meal offerings. The viral campaign launched on July 31 with a new Web site, www.mysnacktime.com, and...

Middleberg ups focus on sustainability.(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... NEW YORK: Middleberg Communications has opened a practice dedicated to 'sustainability' that it calls 'the next step in (CSR).' It will be led by Thomas Basile, ex-communications head for the Environmental Protection Agency. 'We (will)...

Analysis: Mattel faces crisis without playing games.(Fisher-Price )
August 13, 2007... Full transparency with all relevant parties has helped company deal with latest toy recall. Though much attention is paid to new media, the Mattel recall proves that traditional communications still work very effectively when dealing with...

Newsmaker: Torrey's vision brings a fresh look to 'New York'.(Serena Torrey of New York Magazine )(Interview)
August 13, 2007... New York Magazine is considered an amusing, well-polished, and somewhat genteel journal that embodies the interests of a certain set of leisurely professionals. It's not seen by most as a battleground of any sort. But that didn't stop it from...

Companies: Corporate Profile - NYSE Euronext embarks on global exchange.(Company overview)
August 13, 2007... Comms takes on deeper role to accommodate a constantly changing, global stakeholder base. When NYSE Group acquired Paris-based Euronext earlier this year, the multibillion-dollar deal produced the first trans-Atlantic equity market. Today,...

Companies: The Agency Business - Firms find value in integrating ad and PR practices.
August 13, 2007... There was a time, not so long ago, when it seemed as if the advertising industry hardly knew PR existed. Today, however, as more agencies latch on to the model of '360' or 'integrated' communications, that once-common segregation of...

Opinion: Industry must take a risk, think small.(Viewpoint essay)
August 13, 2007... Most PR pros would step over their own mothers to land coverage in The New York Times, a feature in Fortune, or a spot on Today. We're promoters at heart - we think big. We thrive on securing top-tier hits because it makes client and agency...

Op-Ed: Mobile content movement is inevitable.(Column)
August 13, 2007... Last month, while running errands one day after work, I received a breaking news alert on my mobile phone: Explosion rocks Midtown Manhattan. My first thought was concern. Our offices in New York City are located a block from Grand Central...

Editorial: Balancing traditional, new media is essential in crises.(Editorial)
August 13, 2007... Managing and running a crisis communications effort is hard enough, but the task is getting trickier as agencies and companies work to find the right balance between the level of interaction with traditional and new-media outlets. This...

Opinion: The right reasons for engaging media do not include bullying.(Viewpoint essay)
August 13, 2007... There are a lot of people in the business world who don't 'get' the media - the vast majority, in fact. There are even those in the marketing world who don't get it, as evidenced by our recent PRWeek/MS&L Marketing Management Survey. The study...

Reg FD's impact contradicts its intent to expand dialogue.(Regulation Fair Disclosure )
August 13, 2007... If the devil is in the details, we are witnessing the devil at work when it comes to the practical impact of Reg FD. It's time to reassess whether its practical impact actually squelches communication between companies and investors instead of...

Fact File: Repositioning brands as healthy requires fact-backed initiatives.
August 13, 2007... In the news Companies like Kraft Foods - well-known for its Velveeta brand prepared pasteurized cheese goods - are trying to reposition themselves to become more focused on 'healthy living,' according to an article from Adweek. With...

Media: Analysis - Proposed blogger union sparks controversy.
August 13, 2007... When word started to circulate out of the blogger-heavy YearlyKos Convention that some were calling for the creation of a 'blogger union,' reaction was swift and widespread, both in the blogosphere and in the mainstream media. Some mocked the...

Media: Journalist Q&A - Mirko Parlevliet, ComingSoon.net; SuperheroHype.com; ShockTillYouDrop.com.(Interview)
August 13, 2007... Name: Mirko Parlevliet Outlets: ComingSoon.net; SuperheroHype.com; ShockTillYouDrop.com Title: Editor-in-chief Preferred contact method: editor@comingsoon.net Web site: www.comingsoon.net He spoke to PRWeek about his evolving...

Media Roundup: Stars give spiritual entertainment appeal.
August 13, 2007... A growing spirituality movement is having an impact on many parts of American culture, including entertainment. The resulting explosion of spiritual- and religious-themed movies and TV shows has attracted a large audience, though not...

Media: Critical hit - The Wiggles land prime-time 'Deal'.(Ryan Smith)(Interview)
August 13, 2007... Who is your client, and what are its media goals? Ryan Smith: The Wiggles are the 'premiere children's entertainment brand in the world,' with roots in Australia. Our primary role is to represent them and maximize their visibility during...

Media: Ups and Downs.(Chicago Tribune Co. appointed Louise Kiernan)(Spokane Spokesman-Review announces plans to raise its price)(Website overview)
August 13, 2007... Playboy and Rolling Stone magazines both release full versions of their archives on DVD. They are priced at dollars 100 to dollars 125 Wall Street Journal editor Paul Steiger tells the Associated Press that the paper will not change its...

Media: Inside Information - Video games show promise as training, recruiting tools.
August 13, 2007... It's no secret that businesses reach beyond PR to productively communicate with consumers. Now, companies are braving new-media waters to engage employees, as well, with blogs, podcasts... and video games. 'They're really only just...

Cover Story: Out in the open.
August 13, 2007... Eli Lilly's decision to post educational grant funding online solidifies the company's commitment to transparency. On May 1, executives from Eli Lilly and Co., one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, made an announcement...

Market Focus: A whole new world.
August 13, 2007... B-to-b companies increasingly are using new- and social-media tactics, finding them helpful in communicating with a variety of audiences. In December 2006, Cisco launched its presence in Second Life. That presence has since grown from two...

PR Technique: Thinking ahead pays off during turmoil.
August 13, 2007... Managing a financial crisis requires careful planning and outreach. In this era of the shareholder insurrection and the vigilante blogger, any crisis can be a financial crisis. To sidestep disaster, proper planning, agility, and judgment...

Campaigns: Tupperware touts confidence.
August 13, 2007... Tupperware PR Team: Tupperware (Orlando, FL) and DeVries Public Relations (New York) Campaign: Chain of Confidence Duration: January to August 2007 Budget: dollars 1.1 million 'The brand has historically been about women...

Campaigns: NOAA 200th anniversary push advances mission.(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration )(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... NOAA PR Team: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Washington) and Martin Schaffer (Bethesda, MD) Campaign: NOAA Celebrates 200 Years of Science, Service, and Stewardship Duration: January 2007-ongoing Budget: dollars 1.5...

Campaigns: Makino uses webinars to build awareness, leads.
August 13, 2007... Makino PR Team: Makino (Mason, OH) and HSR Business to Business (Cincinnati) Campaign: Restructuring Growth In a Declining Market Duration: 2006-ongoing Budget: dollars 350,000 to 450,000 for PR; dollars 933,000 for all agency...

PR Toolbox: Password-protected press rooms, tip sheets, and more.
August 13, 2007... In-language releases Do I always need my press releases translated in-language in order for Asian-American media to cover my story? 'Absolutely not,' says Leslie Yngojo-Bowes of US Asian Wire. The language of English bridges and unites...

People Moves: Ogivy Public Relations Worldwide.(Tom Reno quits Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... NEW YORK: Tom Reno, who joined Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide in February, has left the firm for personal reasons. Reno was the New York corporate practice group director. His last day at Ogilvy was August 3. Currently, Reno is working with...

People Moves: Edelman.(Becky Farina appointed at Daniel J. Edelman Inc.)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... LOS ANGELES: Becky Farina has joined Edelman as VP, digital entertainment and rights technology. She will be responsible for day-to-day client business, strategic planning, and staff management Prior to joining Edelman, she was director of...

People Moves: Marina Maher Communications.(promotions of Suzanne Haber and Janene Ferrara)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... NEW YORK: Marina Maher Communications (MMC) has promoted two people in its Media Connections practice: Suzanne Haber is now managing director and Janene Ferrara has been moved up to SVP. Haber, who has been with MMC for nine years working with...

People Moves: Speakerbox Communications.(appointment of Piper Conrad)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... McLEAN, VA: SpeakerBox Communications has named Piper Conrad senior director. Conrad will provide strategic marketing and business communications counsel for tech accounts and participate as a member of the senior team. She will lead account...

People Moves: GolinHarris.(Brian Kyhos appointed)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... CHICAGO: Brian Kyhos has joined GolinHarris as SVP in the Chicago corporate communications group. He will help lead corporate and b-to-b accounts, and will report to EVP Greg Sendi. Kyhos was previously director of media and industry analyst...

People Moves: Ketchum.(appointments of Bridget Braxton, Sara Gottman, Michele Lanza and Annie Su)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... SAN FRANCISCO: Ketchum has hired four VPs at its San Francisco office - Bridget Braxton, VP and management supervisor, tech; Sara Gottman, VP, brand marketing; Michele Lanza, VP and executive recruiter; and Annie Su, West Coast research...

People Moves: .(appointment of Richard Silverman)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... NEW YORK: Richard Silverman has been named partner at the Brunswick Group's New York office. Silverman, formerly of Lazard, will focus on the financial services sector

People Moves: Insignia.(appointment of Erik Bright )(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... BEVERLY HILLS, CA: Insignia has named Erik Bright VP and partner, according to the firm's CEO and president Eddie Michaels. Bright will continue to head Insignia's film- and TV-production publicity division, as well as oversee media strategies...

People Moves: Allison & Partners.(appointment of Matt Harris )(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... NEW YORK: Allison & Partners has hired Matt Harris as SVP of media relations and brand entertainment. Harris will oversee a bi-coastal team that covers four practice areas: consumer, professional services, tech, and social impact. He previously...

Careers: Expert Advice - Steve Seeman, vice president, Makovsky & Company.(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... I'm about to see a couple of potential employers for the first time. Can you offer me some interviewing tips?. A: First and foremost, come prepared. In the Internet age, it is very easy - and nowadays expected - to conduct extensive...

Clock ticking down to 8/8/08.(Olympics)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... There are a lot of eights coming your way via Beijing. The Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Games are set to kick off at 8pm on the eighth day of the eighth month of, you guessed it, 2008. Last Wednesday, in a day full of celebration, Chinese...

Mattel takes crisis efforts global for second round of toy recalls.(Fisher-Price Inc.)
August 20, 2007... EL SEGUNDO, CA: After initiating a major crisis communications effort two weeks ago in the wake of recalling 967,000 Fisher-Price toys, Mattel was forced to launch an even larger plan last week after announcing it would recall 18 million more...

Piaggio Group taps Access as its AOR.(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... NEW YORK: Piaggio Group USA has selected Access Communications as its AOR for the Piaggio and Vespa brands. The agency will work on a two-pronged campaign that promotes the company's 'Vespanomics' initiative, which touts the role scooters...

Comcast seeks firm.(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... PHILADELPHIA: Comcast Corporation is currently conducting an agency search for corporate communications support, PRWeek has learned. The RFP, which was issued in late July, said the company is looking for an agency to provide support for...

Public-facing blog aids in Chrysler comeback.
August 20, 2007... AUBURN HILLS, MI: Wanting to prove that 'The New Chrysler' actually stands for something more than a tagline, the recently re-launched automaker debuted its public-facing blog called the 'Voices of Chrysler.' The blog,...

Survey: Entry-level PR job market not fully recovered.(Survey)(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... ATHENS, GA: The employment market for PR graduates has still not fully rebounded from 2001's dot-com crash, according to a new annual survey from the Cox Center for Mass Communication Training and Research at the University of Georgia. The...

Hill & Knowlton hired by Rio Tinto.(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... NEW YORK: Rio Tinto, a London-based global mining company, has hired Hill & Knowlton to handle corporate communications, media relations, and public affairs in North America. Rio Tinto Energy America, its US coal business, operates many mines...

Medialink reports revenue increase.(Medialink Communications revenue report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... NEW YORK: Medialink reported a revenue increase of 9.6% to dollars 8.3 million over the same time period last year, with a net loss of dollars 1.7 million for Q2. Medialink subsidiary, Teletrax, a digital video tracking service, fell short of...

Hanna Lee Communications hired by Imperial Brands.(Imperial Brands)(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL: Imperial Brands has hired Hanna Lee Communications as its AOR for Sobieski Vodka, which is scheduled to launch in the US this month. Hanna Lee will be charged with publicizing Sobieski Vodka's US launch and ongoing PR...

HiTechPR adds to its roster.(contract with he International Science and Technology Center and Safety Management Systems )(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... RYE, NY: HiTechPR has recently added to its roster Moscow-based The International Science and Technology Center (ITSC); Galorath, located near LA; and Safety Management Systems (SMS), a British company with US operations in Norwalk, CT

Crocs chooses Linhart Public Relations as AOR.(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... DENVER: Footwear designer Crocs has chosen Linhart Public Relations as its national AOR. The Denver-based agency has also done work with brands like Chipotle, Frontier Airlines, and Wild Oats Markets

Pacific Fuel Cell Corp selects Edelman as AOR.(agency of record)(Edelman)(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... LOS ANGELES: Nanotech company Pacific Fuel Cell Corp. has selected Edelman as its first AOR. The account was awarded without a review Efforts, to be managed by the agency's LA-based corporate team, will include international media, investor,...

VMS launches digital-monitoring.(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... NEW YORK: VMS has launched a proprietary digital-monitoring network that uses speech-to-text technology to capture 10,000-plus hours of FM and radio programming per week in key markets nationwide, supplementing the live radio monitoring...

Buzzlogic adds blogger function.(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... SAN FRANCISCO: BuzzLogic has added a blogger-relationship-management function that will let users keep notes on blog posts and relationships with online influencers. The blogger profile feature includes fields for blogger engagement notes and...

Critical Mention launches beta version of Real-Time Radia.(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... NEW YORK: Critical Mention has launched the beta version of its new Real-Time Radio (RTR) monitoring platform. Voice-to-text speech recognition technology allows audio streams to be searched seconds after broadcast. RTR reports can be delivered...

Rival CT casinos tout property expansions.(Foxwoods Resort Casino)(Mohegan Sun)(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... MASHANTUCKET and UNCASVILLE, CT: Foxwoods Resorts & Casino and Mohegan Sun, Native American tribe-owned casinos that serve the Boston and New York areas, are both stepping up promotion of major new property expansions. Foxwoods, which...

Pfizer unveils consumer site.(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... NEW YORK: Pfizer has launched a new Web site this month with an eye towards communicating more effectively with consumers who increasingly rely on a number of online sources for healthcare information. The new site includes information not...

InfoUSA retains Sloane & Co.(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... NEW YORK: InfoUSA has hired Sloane & Company to provide strategic and crisis communications support, as the company counters negative press coverage and activist hedge funds challenging senior leadership. A provider of customer information...

Launch Pad: Safety angle puts backpack solidly in front of the media.(MJ Safety Solutions's new bags)(Brief article)
August 20, 2007... Company: MJ Safety Solutions Campaign: Launch of My Child's Pack PR team: In-house Other marketing: Advertising Launch: August 7 Budget: Under dollars 10,000 IDEA: 'My efforts as a realtor have been (to use) grassroots Web site...

Logging on to prweek.com: Don't miss out.
August 20, 2007... Make sure you're the first to hear about all the latest industry news and editorial features by logging on to prweek.com. Only on prweek.com: Alexandra Bruell's Web-only column highlights companies' perspectives on the rapid ascendancy of...

Virgin eyes partnerships as it debuts airline in US.(Virgin America Inc.)
August 20, 2007... SAN FRANCISCO AND NEW YORK: Virgin America, Sir Richard Branson's new low-fare carrier, debuted on August 8 with a media buzz that the company hopes to continue through partnerships and outreach. The inaugural flights from New York and Los...