PR Week (US) articles from August 2008

PR Week (US) archives from August 2008

SEC's recommendation impacts PR newswires.
August 4, 2008... WASHINGTON: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)'s recommendation last week that rules be set to govern how corporations disclose their earnings and other information on their Web sites could drastically impact the newswire business and...

Navy to hire outside firm.(United States. Navy)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... WASHINGTON: The US Navy plans to announce September 15 the hiring of its first outside agency to provide communications support for the Navy's Office of Information. Proposals for the RFP, issued in early July, are due August 12, according to...

New search engine Cuil sees mixed reaction to its launch.
August 4, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO: New search engine Cuil faced the dichotomy of the media establishment when it launched last week, with traditional media hyping the product as a Google-killer-in-waiting, while bloggers criticized the product for not being ready...

Virgin Galactic aims to be a brand leader with spacecraft.(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... MOJAVE, CA: Virgin Galactic unveiled its WhiteKnightTwo aircraft, part of its space tourism project, in an effort to position Virgin as an innovative brand leader. Will Whitehorn, president of Virgin Galactic and nonexecutive chairman of...

Cruise Lines' new effort plans leaked to the press.
August 4, 2008... FT. LAUDERDALE, FL: The fate of a PR campaign developed for Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) appears up in the air after it was accidentally e-mailed to a Connecticut reporter. The Greenwich Post recently reported receiving an...

BP's first lifestyle campaign showcases 'healthy' gasoline.
August 4, 2008... WARRENVILLE, IL: BP Products North America recently launched its first full-scale lifestyle effort to show consumers how its new BP gasoline with Invigorate cleans and extends the use of engine parts, in the same way a healthy lifestyle...

News brief: S&A Restaurant Corp. files for bankruptcy.
August 4, 2008... PLANO, TX: S&A Restaurant Corp. has filed for bankruptcy, effectively closing down its corporate-owned restaurants: Bennigan's, Steak & Ale, and Tavern restaurants. BizCom & Associates, the AOR for S&A's holding company, Metromedia Restaurant...

News brief: KKR gets assistance.
August 4, 2008... NEW YORK: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) is getting continued assistance from Kekst and Co. in the private equity firm's latest attempt to go public. Last year, Kekst confirmed that it was working with KKR on its efforts to go public. Now,...

News brief: Havas Group report.
August 4, 2008... PARIS: Havas Group reported revenue of about dollars 1.19 billion for the first half of 2008, up 3.6% from the same period last year at current exchange rates. In April, the company reported about dollars 551 million in revenue for Q1....

News brief: CooperKatz tapped by Popeyes.
August 4, 2008... ATLANTA: Fast-food chain Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits tapped CooperKatz to serve as its lead agency, after a competitive review. The company sought a lead agency after changes in leadership, including a new president and CEO of AFC...

News brief: Agreement reached.
August 4, 2008... NEW YORK: The Interpublic Group announced July 30 that it reached an agreement to acquire a strategic interest in independent interactive agency Huge. The financial terms were not disclosed. Huge partners David Skokna, Sasha Kirovski, Gene...

News brief: Cofounder of Hager Sharp dies.
August 4, 2008... WASHINGTON: Susan Hager, cofounder and CEO of Hager Sharp, died July 26 at her home in Washington at the age of 63. Hager also cofounded the National Association of Women Business Owners and was inducted into the Public Relations Society of...

News brief: Correction.(Correction notice)
August 4, 2008... CORRECTION: In our July 28 article on Shire Pharmaceuticals ADHD drug, the Experts on Call event was incorrectly listed as September 18; the correct date is September 17. We regret the error

News brief: dollars 1.19 bn.
August 4, 2008... The reported revenue for Havas Group's first half of 2008, up 3.6% from last year

News brief: Mervyns working with Joele Frank.
August 4, 2008... HAYWARD, CA: Retailer Mervyns is working with Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher for communications support during its Chapter 11 filing, announced July 29. The agency is conducting outreach to key vendors and investors via letters,...

Avocent taps Trainer to help increase stock price.
August 4, 2008... HUNTSVILLE, AL: IT products manufacturer Avocent selected Trainer Communications for a seven-figure task, with a goal of increasing its stock price. The company chose Trainer following a competitive review that pared its 26 global agencies...

IPG's PR profits grow in Q2.(Financial report)
August 4, 2008... NEW YORK: The Interpublic Group (IPG) division containing the holding company's PR agencies, Constituency Management Group (CMG), saw revenues of dollars 297 million during the Q2 - up from dollars 273 million last year. The division...

Tech tops in media reputation.
August 4, 2008... CHICAGO: Results from Cision's Corporate Media Reputation Index for Q2 2008 show that technology and telecomm are faring best in media coverage, while financial services are dropping. Companies representing tech sectors grabbed seven of 10...

Launch pad: Foundation backs documentary to raise US budget awareness.
August 4, 2008... Organization: Peter G. Peterson Foundation (PGPF) Campaign: Release of I.O.U.S.A documentary PR Team: Internal, Grassroots Enterprise, Rubenstein Launch: August 22 Budget: Undisclosed. IDEA: Because the issues PGPF deals with are...

News Analysis: Bank industry tries to reassure customers.
August 4, 2008... Since FDIC took control of IndyMac, the industry is attempting to send a clear and strong message. After a run on deposits at IndyMac and a subsequent government takeover of the bank, rumors swirled as to which bank would be next. Analysts...

Newsmaker: Anderson brings her passion to West Hollywood.(West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau)(Amy Anderson)
August 4, 2008... West Hollywood has long been a leader in LGBT rights. Amy Anderson, communications director at the West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau (WHMVB), says the LGBT community was instrumental in founding the city in 1984. And when the...

Companies: Organizational Profile - Booker changes the perception of Newark.(Organization overview)
August 4, 2008... The new mayor and his comms team have helped to turn around the once 'failing' city's appearance. Less than two weeks ago, the communications team for Newark, NJ Mayor Cory Booker (D) was thrown into crisis mode when an unknown toxin...

Companies: The Agency Business - The greening of PR agencies continues to take root.
August 4, 2008... Wary of rising fuel prices and imposed carbon footprints, PR firms are installing internal environmental programs that benefit staff and help address current economic and environmental issues. The programs also authenticate work on green client...

Editorial: In the age of social media, transparency is inevitable.(Editorial)
August 4, 2008... Tell one person, tell the whole world. That's the old saying about how any old rumor or secret returns inevitably to the person being talked about. It could also apply to PR campaign proposals of all sorts, but particularly of those that seek...

Op-Ed: PR should continue to assert its case.
August 4, 2008... A segment on the CBS Sunday Morning program several weeks ago - little noticed by anyone outside our profession - rocked the public relations world, causing many of us to question how far we have come in educating key opinion leaders about what...

Op-Ed: Blog pitches entail research, restraint.
August 4, 2008... Public relations was a hot topic in San Francisco at the annual BlogHer conference, held from July 18-19, hosted by the number one community for blogs by women. During one session about MommyBlogging, some bloggers insisted that...

Opinion: Jobs underscores Apple's brand consistency with health secrecy.
August 4, 2008... Joe Nocera from The New York Times is one enviable man. The business columnist finally peeled away the walls of Apple to get an off-the-record conversation with one Steve Jobs about the Apple czar's health, a recent hot topic. Even though...

Opinion: Economic downturn is creating new opportunity for the nimble.
August 4, 2008... With news of volatile stock markets, soaring gas prices, housing foreclosures, and bank failures making headlines, every conversation about new business understandably centers around one basic question, 'Which industries should we pursue?' ...

Factfile: Group questions partnership at a 'green' baseball stadium.
August 4, 2008... In the news The Washington Nationals' new stadium, which opened this year, became the first LEED-certified stadium in the US. But now an activist group, Strike Out Exxon, is protesting the ballpark's advertising partnership with...

Media Analysis: Media leery of reprinting tabloid expose.
August 4, 2008... In the wake of a National Enquirer report alleging evidence of former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) and marital infidelity, which he has previously denied, conservative commentators, bloggers, and columnists have expressed outrage that the...

Media: Journalist Q&A - Rebecca Fox, Mediabistro.com.
August 4, 2008... Name: Rebecca Fox Title: Managing editor Outlets: Mediabistro.com and FishbowlNY Preferred contact method: Rebecca@mediabistro.com Web site: www.mediabistro.com and www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny PRWeek: How did you get involved in...

Media: Research - Big issues for presidential voters.(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... CONDUCTED BY: CNN/Opinion Research Corp. SAMPLE: 906 registered voters (June 26-29) GOAL: To determine the top issues in the presidential election for voters KEY FINDINGS 58% of registered voters say the economy is 'extremely...

Media Roundup: Shrinking food sections need tighter focus.
August 4, 2008... People might always love their food, but the once-robust food section in newspapers is not immune to the cutbacks impacting the industry as a whole. 'We're losing space in food sections across the country,' notes Jill Silva, food editor...

Media Roundup: Criticalhit - 'Tribune' helps to put air into Brethe.(dialogue with Erin Schaal)(Interview)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... NAME: Erin Schaal, account executive at CRT/tanaka (New York) PLACEMENT: Chicago Tribune, April 14 PITCH TIMELINE: Ten weeks - Who is your client? What are its media goals? Erin Schaal: We have worked with HoMedics for years...

Media Roundup: Media Ups and Downs.
August 4, 2008... Cox Enterprises announces that it will award dollars 50,000 in scholarships for minority journalism students. President Bush signs a bill naming a stretch of highway outside of Buffalo, near the home field of the Buffalo Bills, for late...

Media Roundup: Inside Information - Use of message boards blends passion and expertise.
August 4, 2008... Since Google and Yahoo became household names, Web search has been a part of the daily lives of many consumers. Yet often overlooked while gleaning the Internet for blogs, Web sites, and social networks are online forums and message boards....

Feature: Creative minds thrive on the digital scene.
August 4, 2008... With new and social media playing such an integral role in the industry's future, PR agencies are stockpiling talent in this area to keep ahead of the curve. Tanya Lewis profiles four individuals that are leading the way to a greater...

Market Focus: Dialogue yields valuable insight.
August 4, 2008... This year, PRWeek will visit eight cities where an industry close to that respective region will be discussed. For each event, leading PR pros from a variety of firms, companies, and other organizations will gather in a roundtable...

PR Technique: Organization is key to comms efficiency.(public relations)
August 4, 2008... Software solutions can help corporations manage agency activity, but shouldn't replace solid PR. Integrating an increasingly complex array of PR activities, while supervising multiple agency relationships, can often be a challenge for...

Campaigns: Mentor group boosts friendships.(Mentoring Partnership of New York )(Kellen Communications)
August 4, 2008... PR TEAM: Mentoring Partnership of New York and Kellen Communications (both New York) CAMPAIGN: National Mentoring Month and the Ninth Annual Mentors Day DURATION: August 2007-February 2008 BUDGET: dollars 35,000 'We had to reach as...

Campaigns: Touring, blogging bug helps Terminix to generate a buzz.
August 4, 2008... PR TEAM: Terminix and Archer Malmo (both Memphis, TN) CAMPAIGN: Harry's Big Adventure DURATION: June 6-13, 2008 BUDGET: dollars 30,000 '(The partnership) only seems natural, since we've always been aware of promoting the educational...

Campaigns: Oklahoma City encourages its residents to lose weight.
August 4, 2008... PR TEAM: Oklahoma City mayor's office; Crosby-Volmer International Communications (Washington and Oklahoma City) CAMPAIGN: This City is Going on a Diet DURATION: January 2008-ongoing BUDGET: Under dollars 10,000 per month Featuring...

PR Toolbox: Best use of mobile devices, enhancing IR efforts, more.
August 4, 2008... - How can we make the most of mobile devices? 'Business applications for mobile devices are changing the way consumers shop, relax, and come up to speed on a company, product, or topic,' says Lori Wilson of Funnel Incorporated. 'Now is the...

Careers: People moves - Ketchum West.
August 4, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO: Stephen Spurgeon, who recently left his role as MD at Porter Novelli's San Francisco office, is now the director of business development at Ketchum West in San Francisco. Spurgeon, who left PN in May, is also a former MD of...

Careers: People moves - Publicis Groupe.
August 4, 2008... PARIS: Publicis Groupe selected Jean-Yves Naouri, EVP of group operations and Publicis Groupe's Management Board member, to oversee the Publicis Healthcare Communications Group. John Farrell, former president and CEO of Publicis Groupe's...

Careers: People moves - Weber Shandwick.(appointment of Sally Squires)(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... WASHINGTON: Weber Shandwick hired Sally Squires, former nutrition and health writer for The Washington Post and syndicated columnist, to serve as SVP and director of health and wellness in a newly created position. She will split her time...

Careers: People moves - CBS Corporation.
August 4, 2008... NEW YORK: CBS Corporation named Adam Townsend EVP of investor relations. He will oversee daily outreach to the investment community. Townsend will report to Leslie Moonves, president and CEO, and Marty Shea, EVP of IR. Townsend previously...

Careers: People moves - Direct Impact.
August 4, 2008... WASHINGTON: Direct Impact, a grassroots, public affairs subsidiary of Burson-Marsteller, hired John Maheras as SVP and head of its new Chicago office. He will help manage both Midwest and nationwide projects. Maheras previously was director of...

Careers: People moves - Attention.
August 4, 2008... NEW YORK: Colin Nagy has joined Attention as the director of social media. Nagy will oversee the firm's strategy for online PR and social media marketing campaigns. Previously, Nagy worked with Source Communications, providing communications...

Careers: People moves - Universal Pictures.
August 4, 2008... UNIVERSITY CITY, CA: Universal Pictures hired Kori Bernards to serve as SVP of media relations, effective August 4. Reporting to Michael Moses, EVP of publicity, Bernards will oversee media strategy and serve as the liaison for trade and...

Careers: Expert Advice.
August 4, 2008... Kim Skeltis, Stratacomm SVP, MD, and partner I want to train my firm's staff, but I don't want to take away from work time. What should I do? A: If done correctly, professional development is one of the wisest investments a company can...

A Big Mac Birthday.(Brief article)
August 4, 2008... Project Beach House, a private luxury venue on the beach in Malibu, hosted a 40th birthday party for the McDonald's Big Mac on July 27, with support from New York's Fingerprint Communications. The star-studded event included appearances by...

Coke hits Olympic stage with its global message.
August 11, 2008... BEIJING: Coca-Cola's PR and marketing efforts for the Beijing Olympics, called the Live Olympic campaign, began nearly two years ago and have focused on reaching out to Olympics fans, both at the Games and abroad. Coke intends the...

Port of LA limits PR to one firm.
August 11, 2008... LOS ANGELES: The Port of Los Angeles plans to award The Rogers Group with a one-year, dollars 350,000 contract for work on its Clean Truck Program, after it receives approval from the Board of the Los Angeles Harbor Commission and Los Angeles...

California stem cell research initiative goes to Fleishman.
August 11, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO: The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the state agency that rewards grants for stem cell research, recently chose Fleishman-Hillard for a dollars 115,000 contract to aid the organization's goal to become a thought...

Emirates provides demo flights in US brand push.
August 11, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO: Airliner Emirates promoted its new, double-decker luxury plane with two demo flights for media and others in California last week. The effort is also part of a larger strategy to increase brand awareness in the US. The...

Bayer Diabetes Care enlists teen star for product launch.
August 11, 2008... TARRYTOWN, NY: Bayer Healthcare opened the consumer launch of its upgraded blood glucose meter, the Contour, with a youth-friendly spokesman for its diabetes division: Nick Jonas, part of the teen band Jonas Brothers. The 15-year-old...

News brief: MWW Group appointed as AOR.
August 11, 2008... IRVING, TX: Gold's Gym International recently selected MWW Group to serve as its AOR, after a competitive review. The agency will aid media relations, internal communications, event marketing, and franchise support. Also, MWW will focus its...

News brief: FTI Consulting revenues increase.(Financial report)
August 11, 2008... WEST PALM BEACH, FL: FTI Consulting reported that revenues for its strategic communications division, FD, which it acquired in 2006, grew 48% in its second quarter to dollars 62.2 million from dollars 42 million in the same period last year....

News brief: Ari Fleischer hired.(appointment by Green Bay Packers Inc.)(Brief article)
August 11, 2008... GREEN BAY, WI: Media reports suggest that former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, who now runs Ari Fleischer Sports Communications, was hired by the Green Bay Packers to consult on media relations for a one-month contract. Neither...

News brief: Wall Street Group hired.
August 11, 2008... PALM CITY, FL: Connectyx Technologies, a healthcare information technology company, hired The Wall Street Group for financial PR services. Work began August 1

News brief: Trylon SMR appointed.
August 11, 2008... NEW YORK: Theorem, a digital and online marketing company, has hired Trylon SMR to handle media relations

News brief: Russo Partners corporate program.
August 11, 2008... PITTSBURGH: Cohera Medical, a technology company that develops wound management products and surgical adhesives, tapped Russo Partners for a corporate communications program. The New York agency is providing media relations, message...

News brief: Publicis to acquire Performics.
August 11, 2008... PARIS: Publicis plans to acquire search marketing company Performics from Google, the two companies said August 6. Publicis expects Performics to enrich the VivaKi Nerve Center offerings, which already include performance marketing assets such...

News brief: ZFF hires AOR.
August 11, 2008... ZURICH, SWITZERLAND: The Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) hired Rogers & Cowan as AOR, effective August 1, to elevate its profile globally, as well as in Hollywood. The firm will handle industry announcements, have a team on-site for the festival...

News brief: Correction.(Correction notice)
August 11, 2008... In the July 28 Corporate Profile of Zespri, the last name of SAE Andrea Clark was incorrectly listed as Parker. We regret the error

News brief: 48%.
August 11, 2008... Q2 revenue growth of the strategic comms division of FTI Consulting

Executive search agency taps Makovsky as AOR.
August 11, 2008... NEW YORK: Makovsky & Co. and Russell Reynolds Associates, a global executive search firm, announced their six-figure, US AOR partnership today. The agency's work will focus on thought leadership via a local and national media relations...

Op-Eds remain key to outlets.(Brief article)
August 11, 2008... NEW YORK: The top qualities of an Op-Ed include agreement with the editorial page, brevity, and timeliness, among others, according to a recent study of editorials successfully published by academics. Co-authored by Robert Sommer and a...

Horn Group to help hi5 in US.
August 11, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO: Social networking site hi5 recently selected the Horn Group as its AOR, following a competitive review. Mike Trigg, VP of marketing for hi5, said it selected the Horn Group because of its relevant experience, capabilities,...

Launch Pad: Virgin Megastore gives a bird's-eye view of its dollars 10 special sale.
August 11, 2008... Organization: Virgin Megastore Campaign: Virgin Bird PR Team: Internal and SJ Communications Launch: July 31 Budget: Undisclosed Idea: Consumers are invited to find 30 'stolen' birds hidden in three participating cities: New York,...

Analysis: SEC proposal signals a change in comms.(Securities and Exchange Commission)
August 11, 2008... The announcement sparked discussion of the future of financial comms and newswires. Newswires are taking a wait-and-see approach to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)'s recent announcement that it will address how to disclose...

Analysis: Newsmaker - McIntyre earns respect on both sides of the aisle.(Bill McIntyre)(Grassroots Enterprise)
August 11, 2008... Bill McIntyre, former National Rifle Association (NRA) chief spokesperson and now EVP at DC-based Grassroots Enterprise, has plenty of experience making partisan arguments. Yet, while recently counseling a client, he argued to colleagues the...

Companies: Organizational - Profile - INSP puts faith into its comms strategies.
August 11, 2008... In the changing media landscape, the faith-based TV network's PR team believes in its messaging. Its evolution alongside the cable industry during the last 25 years was one challenge for The Inspiration Network (INSP), a worldwide cable TV...

Companies: The Agency Business - Extra care for current clients is tops in a downturn.
August 11, 2008... Client service is always important. But as agencies brace themselves for the economic downturn, maintaining good relationships with current clients is critical. 'Clients are increasingly under pressure,' says Julianna Richter, EVP and...

Opinion: Editorial - Smart PR execs should tap journalists looking for jobs.(Editorial)
August 11, 2008... Carl Icahn is known for making news. Every announcement he makes seems to become a headline, and most recently it was reported that he hired Thomson Reuters reporter Dane Hamilton to help write his blog, The Icahn Report - a smart move. In...

Opinion: Op-Ed - Primaries bring a new age of comms.
August 11, 2008... The intense public interest in the presidential primaries and election has accelerated a key change in the way candidates - and companies - need to communicate. The 24-hour news cycle, ability for individuals to be heard on the Internet,...

Opinion: In China, we must shift PR strategies.
August 11, 2008... My firm's global network, PROI, recently convened in Beijing. I learned the following lesson: Before we can develop successful communications programs in China, we have to learn to do business the Chinese way. The country's history and culture...

Opinion: PR's method of proving its value doesn't leave the best impression.
August 11, 2008... During my time at PRWeek, I've seen not only how valuable research and measurement can be to the industry, but I've heard several concerns related to how the industry measures its efforts. Jack Trammell at VNR-1 Communications in Dallas has...

Opinion: Comcast's version of customer service should concern patrons.
August 11, 2008... A wall poster caught my eye on a recent visit to a San Francisco company that provides online customer support. 'Customer service,' it announced, 'is the new marketing.' Well, not entirely. Traditional marketing and PR, which themselves...

Opinion: Factfile - FTC takes healthy interest in how food is marketed to kids.
August 11, 2008... In the news In its July 29 report, Marketing Food to Children and Adolescents, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommended that entertainment and media corporations 'restrict the licensing of their characters to healthier foods and...

Media: Analysis - Hispanic outlets expand in size and reach.
August 11, 2008... In a sharp contrast to the changes occurring in traditional US media, Spanish-language publications and TV stations are not only growing in size and scope, but actively reaching the core demographic of Spanish speakers who live in the US. ...

Media: Journalist Q&A - Roger Clark, General assignment reporter.
August 11, 2008... Outlets: NY1 News Preferred contact method: Roger.Clark@ny1news.com Web site: www.ny1.com Roger Clark is a general assignment reporter for NY1 News, a division of Time Warner that provides 24-hour TV news about New York. Clark,...

Media: Research - Coverage of presidential candidates.
August 11, 2008... Conducted by: Center for Media and Public Affairs Sample: 249 broadcast news stories from June 8 to July 21, 2008 and 2,144 stories from December 16, 2007 to June 7, 2008 Goal: To determine the positive or negative nature of election...