PR Week (US) articles from February 2003

PR Week (US) archives from February 2003

Gilead picks Weber Shandwick to raise awareness of hepatitis drug.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK: Weber Shandwick (WS) has picked up a lucrative account from biopharmaceutical company Gilead. The agency will handle PR for Gilead's hepatitis B drug Hepsera. The agency lured the business away from Edelman, and it is a...

State Department says US image push is far from over.
February 3, 2003... WASHINGTON: The State Department's public affairs division has gone on the offensive to combat last month's reports that its Shared Values initiative was faltering after the disappearance of its centerpiece, a dollars 15 million advertising...

Aventis promotes from within to fill top global PR post.(David Owens to head communications for global operations)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... BRIDGEWATER, NJ: Aventis has gone inside to fill its head of global product communications post. David Owens, former VP of global marketing for cardiovascular products, was picked by Gilles Brisson, corporate EVP of communications and public...

Battle ensues over CA water safety tasks.(Ogilvy PR and Rogers and Associates both receive contracts)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... SACRAMENTO, CA: Two California firms are still head-to-head after competing in turbulent RFPs for major government contracts addressing storm water pollution. The County of Los Angeles has tentatively awarded a dollars 4.15 million,...

Ex-Clinton adviser Prince named new Brunswick partner.(Jonathan Prince joins the Brunswick Group as a partner)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK: Former Clinton administration adviser Jonathan Prince has joined the Brunswick Group as a partner. Prince, 35, managed NATO's communications strategy during the war in Kosovo, and helped map White House communications strategy...

Six Flags counters critics with coaster safety report.
February 3, 2003... OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: Six Flags aggressively countered the claims of amusement-park-oversight crusaders in late January by releasing a pair of third-party scientific studies it sponsored that vouch for the safety of roller coasters. Amusement...

Biz360 teams up with Carma and Dialog.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... SAN MATEO, CA: As part of its new partnership strategy, Biz360 has formed two strategic alliances - one with Carma, and another with Dialog. Both companies' services will be integrated into Biz360's measurement application Market360, said Keith...

Philip Morris completes its rebranding to Altria Group.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK: Philip Morris' long-awaited rebranding as Altria was finally executed last week. The change was made to emphasize the fact that the company produces a wide range of products other than tobacco. Altria is derived from the Latin...

RCG named North American AOR for Jaguar, Land Rover.(Ford Motor Company's Premier Auto Group has named Renaissance Creative Group North American agency of record)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... IRVINE, CA: Ford Motor Company's Premier Auto Group has named Renaissance Creative Group (RCG) as North American AOR for the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. RCG is charged with preparing press kits, trade-show assistance, and handling media...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Janis Smith joins Wells Fargo.(appointed VP of corporate communications)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: Janis Smith has joined Wells Fargo as VP of corporate communications. She will report to EVP of corporate communications Larry Haeg. Smith previously worked at Ketchum's San Francisco office, where she oversaw the corporate...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Heidi Burgett joins Yahoo!(its internal communications manager)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... SUNNYVALE, CA: Heidi Burgett has joined Yahoo! as its internal communications manager, a new position at the company. Burgett will manage communications strategies for all employees, including executive communications, company meetings, and the...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Jan Creidenberg joins Fleishman-Hillard.(appointed VP of biotechnology and healthcare practice)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... KANSAS CITY, MO: Jan Creidenberg has joined Fleishman-Hillard as VP of the biotechnology and healthcare practice. He will provide strategic counsel on branding initiatives, particularly in the direct-to-consumer area. Prior to joining...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Burson-Marsteller selected by Stellar Internet Monitoring.(as its agency of record)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... MIAMI: Burson-Marsteller has been selected by Stellar Internet Monitoring as its agency of record. The firm will execute a global campaign to promote the company's real-time web-based solution that allows businesses to monitor internet misuse....

NEWS IN BRIEF: Ruder Finn appoints Don McLearn.(to the position of SVP of its healthcare practice)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... WASHINGTON: Ruder Finn has named Don McLearn, a 17-year FDA public affairs veteran, to the position of SVP of its healthcare practice. He will serve as a senior counselor for crisis management, corporate reputation, prescription-drug and...

NEWS IN BRIEF: The Holstein Association hires Charleston Orwig.(for public relations work)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... BRATTLEBORO, VT: The Holstein Association, a 35,000-member organization that registers Holstein dairy cows across the country, has hired Charleston Orwig, a Hartland, WI agency, as its AOR. The agency will assist with media relations and event...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Garfield Estates Vineyard selects CTA PR.(to increase winery's name recognition)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... PALISADE, CO: Garfield Estates Vineyard & Winery has selected CTA PR to develop and implement a PR program to increase the winery's name recognition among consumers in the populous Front Range of Colorado.

NEWS IN BRIEF: The PRstore signs up six outlets in two states.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... CHICAGO: The PRstore, which is franchising PR locations across the country, has signed up six outlets in two states. The stores will open over the next five years. Locations in Grand Rapids, MI and Knoxville, TN will open by the end of March....

NEWS IN BRIEF: LibertyBank selects Leopold Ketel & Partners.(as its agency of record)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... PORTLAND, OR: LibertyBank, the fifth-largest community bank in Oregon, has selected Leopold Ketel & Partners as the company's strategic positioning and brand marketing AOR. The agency will build on the bank's commitment to providing quality...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Contiki Holidays signs The Blaze Company.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... VENICE, CA: Contiki Holidays and the Westin Las Vegas have signed The Blaze Company for media relations and marketing communications campaigns.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Bill Weger forms Image One PR Consulting.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... FREDERICK, MD: PR veteran Bill Weger has formed Image One PR Consulting, a new PR consulting agency that will focus on small-business development, transportation, philanthropy, and healthcare.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Text 100 adds Verio to client list.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: Text 100 has added Verio, a subsidiary of NTT Communications, to its client list. Verio is a global provider of web hosting and global internet protocol services. Text 100 will help build awareness of Verio's products and...

NEWS IN BRIEF: 8minuteDating.com hires PerkettPR.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... BOSTON: 8minuteDating.com has hired PerkettPR to promote its Cupid Parties across the country on February 11. 8minuteDating.com combines the accessibility of internet dating with the opportunity to meet potential dates face-to-face before...

GCI Group hired by GSK to support PR for migraine drug.(GlaxoSmithKline)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK: GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has selected GCI Group to handle global communications for its migraine product Imigran. The account, run out of the agency's New York and Chicago offices, will cover all markets where the product is sold, except...

Environmentalists pushing swordfish ban.(Turtle Island Restoration Network wants ban on fish with dangerous levels of mercury)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: A California environmental group plans to expand its ongoing public-opinion campaign aimed at getting retailers and restaurants to stop selling swordfish. The Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) has been running the...

Pitch season underway as Expos search for new city.
February 3, 2003... WASHINGTON: Major League Baseball (MLB) needs to find a new home for the Montreal Expos in 2004, and last week marked the official beginning of campaign season for those cities looking to take the team in. Mayors, architects, sports...

Powell Tate execs launch new public affairs shop Prism.(Prism Public Affairs launched)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... WASHINGTON: A handful of former Powell Tate (PT) executives, including one of its founders, is going back to the drawing board, launching a new public affairs firm with the intention of keeping it small. Prism Public Affairs, opening its...

Hooters starts serving up 20th anniversary events.(public relations and advertising initiative launched by Hooters of America )
February 3, 2003... LOS ANGELES: Hooters of America has launched a yearlong advertising and PR initiative to celebrate its 20th anniversary. 'We have the most loyal customers in the world, and we want to use this opportunity to thank them for their patronage,...

TMP picks former FDMW boss Jones as new head of IR.(Bob Jones appointed head of investor relations for TMP Worldwide)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK: Five months after leaving the CEO job at FD Morgen-Walke, Bob Jones has resurfaced as the newly named head of investor relations for TMP Worldwide, the parent company of online job-listing service Monster.com. He assumes the role...

Former Lott press head begins stint as DOC PA director.(Ron Bonjean appointed director of public affairs at the Department of Commerce)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... WASHINGTON: Ron Bonjean, former press secretary to Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS), has resurfaced at the Department of Commerce (DOC), where he takes over today as director of public affairs. As department head, Bonjean will lead a staff of about...

Edelman study finds trust in business is rising in US.
February 3, 2003... NEW YORK: Trust in American business is on the upswing, despite the past year of recession and corporate scandals, according to a new Edelman study, revealed at the World Economic Forum's conference on trust. At the same time, trust in...

Ammer promoted by Sony to lead PR at Columbia TriStar.(Geoffrey Ammer promoted to president of worldwide marketing for the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... LOS ANGELES: Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has promoted Geoffrey Ammer to president of worldwide marketing for the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group. He was formerly the studio's domestic marketing head. Ammer will now oversee the...

Publicis rounds up health experts for new research unit.(Nutrition Marketing Research Institute)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... SEATTLE: Publicis Dialog has convened a group of doctors, dieticians, and food marketers to launch a new research division that will study better ways to communicate nutritional issues to consumers and companies. The Nutrition Marketing...

Vanguard tapped to help Aspen tourism.(Vanguard Communications takes on Aspen Square Hotel and the Hotel Durant as clients)
February 3, 2003... ASPEN, CO: Denver-based Vanguard Communications has taken on two Aspen clients, and is searching for more as it tries to reposition the ski resort as an affordable vacation destination. Media coverage of Hollywood celebrities and other...

Avocado growers win big with Super Bowl taste test.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... SAN DIEGO: Avocado growers may be better NFL prognosticators than sports reporters, if the AvoBowl is any indication. The California Avocado Commission (CAC) always turns up the PR volume at Super Bowl time, publicizing the fact that more...

Vocus projecting major growth with acquisition of PAT.(Public Affairs Technologies)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... LANHAM, MD: Vocus has acquired Public Affairs Technologies (PAT), further establishing itself as a strong player in the communications management industry. Having experienced 42% growth in 2002 over the previous year, Vocus projects the...

Vodka distiller hires PR firm for US boost.(Fris Skandia A/S hires The Titan Network)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... ATLANTA: After more than a decade in the American market, Danish distiller Fris Skandia A/S signed its first public relations agency this month to help boost its case sales and market position. Vodka claims the top spot in the distilled-spirits...

Nebraska town's wedding plan draws press.(Central City, Nebraska promotes itself with weddings)
February 3, 2003... CENTRAL CITY, NE: A brainstorming session intended to give 3,000-population Central City's local businesses a needed economic boost has led to its inauguration as the Wedding Capital of Nebraska. Members of the area Chamber of Commerce...

Wherehouse hires Sitrick on the heels of Chapter 11 filing.(Wherehouse Entertainment hires crisis and financial specialists Sitrick & Company )(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... LOS ANGELES: Wherehouse Entertainment has hired crisis and financial specialists Sitrick & Company to help navigate its Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing of two weeks ago. The specialty retailer, which sells music, DVDs,...

EDITORIAL: With war on the horizon, one might wonder if Bush is devoting his energy in the right place.(Editorial)
February 3, 2003... In about 20 years, 16-year-old Americans will be learning to drive on hydrogen-powered cars. That's one bold vision of the future offered by President Bush in last week's State of the Union address. Pledging dollars 1.7 billion over the...

OP-ED: Only the web offers the chance to tell the whole story.(news reporting online)
February 3, 2003... 'They were not so much published as carried screaming into the streets.' H.G. Wells spoke brilliantly to the power and urgency of news when he wrote that line a century ago. Despite its age, it actually serves as a wonderful description of...

ANALYSIS: Customer Service - Customer relations serve as a telltale PR barometer.
February 3, 2003... A growing number of companies are now fully aware that their reputations - good or bad - are often directly linked to customer-service efforts. Can a single incident of bad customer service affect a corporation's reputation? You better...

PAUL HOLMES: Corporations should take notes as Michigan University defends its racial diversity stance.(Editorial)
February 3, 2003... As the debate over affirmative action heats up again, it's good to see several corporate heavyweights taking a position in favor of diversity for pragmatic - rather than idealistic - reasons. More than 30 major corporations, including...

CORPORATE CASE STUDY: PR helps Carnival's cruise conquest sail smoothly.(Company Profile)
February 3, 2003... By encouraging each brand it owns to speak for itself, Carnival has charted a successful course despite having to deal with health scares, hostile takeovers, and a litany of other crises. Last year was dismal for most tourism businesses,...

MEDIA WATCH: Fox hits the media-coverage jackpot with 'Joe Millionaire'.(television show is getting considerable coverage in the media)
February 3, 2003... It's rare these days to turn on the television without seeing a reality show. With the success in recent years of The Real World, Survivor, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, and American Idol, networks are flooding the airwaves with a number of...

MEDIA ROUNDUP: TV finds new channels for gaining media coverage.
February 3, 2003... Though treatment in traditional outlets has changed little, David Ward finds that TV's evolution has prompted a shift in who covers the medium, the focus of that coverage, and how PR pros pitch stories. A continuing public fascination with...

MEDIA PROFILE: Red Streak forms immediate bond with younger Chicagoans.
February 3, 2003... As Chicago's two dailies square off over the 18-34 set, the Sun-Times' Red Streak is riding bolder content to become a must-read for Windy City youngsters and the PR pros who target them. Chicago is a town that loves a good newspaper war....

PROFILE: Petrikin plays starring role at William Morris.(profile of Chris Petrikin, SVP of corporate communications at the William Morris Agency)
February 3, 2003... Chris Petrikin may be new to PR, but as a veteran Hollywood reporter, he's equipped to handle the top comms job at William Morris. And having the agency's support certainly helps. Gideon Fidelzeid reports. 'Baptism by lava.' That's how...

The Value of Measurement.
February 3, 2003... What's the ROI on measurement, and who should foot the bill? Measurement is no fad or buzzword. ROI is king, no pun intended. But in an era of budget cuts, it may be difficult for companies to see why investing in a measurement program is a...

MARKET FOCUS ENTERTAINMENT PR: Reality bites.
February 3, 2003... Reality TV answers the call for quick ratings. Television publicity has changed in the past few years, but then again, it hasn't. The turn of the millennium brought with it a slew of reality TV (and an increase in programming in general),...

PR TECHNIQUE TRADE SHOWS AND CONVENTIONS: Show and tell- making the most of trade events.
February 3, 2003... Trade shows have the power to inspire big ambitions, but it takes careful advance planning and the right approach to reporters to make an impact. Pick any major city and almost any non-holiday week of the year, and it's nearly guaranteed...

CAMPAIGNS: 'The Lord of the Rings' puts New Zealand on the map.
February 3, 2003... From media relations efforts to vacation sweepstakes, New Zealand worked with New Line Cinema to parlay its role as the backdrop to 'The Lord of the Rings' into a tourism-driving PR success. When just about any blockbuster movie begins...

THE PUBLICIST: A hot PR team is the best cure for opening-weekend nerves.
February 3, 2003... Everyone who works on a film production, from the star to the key grip to the - yes - publicist, wants it to be a box-office hit. Whether a big-budget spectacle or a small labor of love, expectations about opening-weekend grosses nervously...

PR PLAY OF THE WEEK: Hawkish Bush throws the world a curve.(President George W. Bush announces humanitarian effort to address HIV epidemic in Africa)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... WASHINGTON: There is hardly a bigger bully pulpit than the Presidency of the United States. And even that lofty perch gets a boost once a year during the State of the Union address. This year was no exception. (Only once in recent...

TOY BOX: TriSenx brings the internet to its senses.(smell and taste simulations over the internet)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... I normally don't pull text off others' websites, but this is a fun one. TriSenx, the makers of smell/ taste downloadable 'things,' has this to say about its digitally enhanced products: 'TriSenx is an end-to-end provider of...

BOOK REVIEW: Helping marketers read women better.(Book Review)
February 3, 2003... Marketing guru Martha Barletta leaves readers kicking themselves with this long-overdue book that seems to be stating the obvious by its end. Behind her punchy, sometimes facetious tone, Barletta essentially reprimands readers for not tailoring...

Rubenstein trapped in legal imbroglio over 9 11 insurance payment.(Howard Rubenstein in legal battle between Larry Silverstein, Swiss Re)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK: Last week, PR veteran Howard Rubenstein found himself caught in a caustic legal battle between his client, real-estate mogul Larry Silverstein, and insurance giant Swiss Re. Silverstein, who held the lease on the World Trade...

Doke departs American for custom-made PR job at Dell.(Tim Doke leaves American Airlines)
February 10, 2003... Round Rock, TX and Fort Worth, TX: Tim Doke is leaving his post as VP of corporate communications at American Airlines to take on a new communications position at Dell. Beginning March 10, Doke will take on the role of VP of...

PRWeek makes its first call for Salary Survey responses.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK: PRWeek's 2003 Salary Survey is now underway. Each year, the survey uncovers trends in compensation across the PR industry. The data has been particularly revealing during the past few years, as the effects of the weakened economy...

Ex-Clinton staffer Wolfson is newest addition to Glover.(Glover Park Group hires Howard Wolfson and Lorrie McHugh-Wytkind)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... WASHINGTON: Already a confirmed haven for ex-Clintonites, the Glover Park Group has welcomed two more into the fold: Howard Wolfson and Lorrie McHugh-Wytkind. Wolfson, spokesman for Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) 2000 senatorial campaign,...

New JetBlue plane flies in face of Song.(JetBlue Airways names aircraft 'Song Sung Blue')(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK: Barely a week after Delta officially announced the name of its low-fare carrier, Song, JetBlue Airways retaliated on Thursday morning as CEO David Neeleman unveiled its 37th aircraft, 'Song Sung Blue.' 'It's a rather cheeky...

Fleishman hired as part of Sleep Council's PR overhaul.(Better Sleep Council appoints Fleishman-Hillard public relations firm of choice)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... WASHINGTON: The Better Sleep Council (BSC) and two of its sister associations emerged from their PR overhaul last week with a new VP of communications, a new AOR, a new public education campaign, and a renewed commitment to public affairs. ...

H&K's DC office left without a GM again.(Alisa Fogelman-Beyer resigns as general manager of Hill & Knowlton's Washington office)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... WASHINGTON: Hill & Knowlton's Washington office is once again without a general manager following last week's departure of Alisa Fogelman-Beyer. Fogelman-Beyer arrived at H&K after the January 2001 acquisition of her marketing and PR shop...

Kmart publishes circular aimed at urban shoppers.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... TROY, MI: Kmart is targeting urban shoppers with a new newspaper supplement, Urban Direct, which contains entertainment and lifestyle stories, and features Kmart products. The new weekly paper is being distributed with Kmart ad circulars...

Sports Illustrated website drops CNN link in rebranding.(CNNSI.com renamed SI.com)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK: CNNSI.com was renamed SI.com last week in a move to capitalize on Sports Illustrated's history as a leader in sports journalism. The rebranding is the first step in the overhaul of a website that, since its launch in 1997, has...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at Elsevier.(Eric Merkel-Sobotta appointed director of global corporate relations)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... AMSTERDAM: Elsevier has appointed Eric Merkel-Sobotta to the newly created position of director of global corporate relations. He will be responsible for external and internal communications and public affairs. Merkel-Sobotta was formerly...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Unilever picks Weber Shandwick.(as agency of record for Suave brand)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... CHICAGO: Unilever has picked Weber Shandwick as agency of record for its Suave brand of personal-care products. The account is the seventh Unilever brand won by WS in the past 18 months. Cathy Calhoun and Gail Heimann, copresidents of WS'...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at Ketchum.(Michael O'Brien appointed associate director of its global brand-marketing practice)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK: Ketchum has named Michael O'Brien as associate director of its global brand-marketing practice. He joins director Kelley Skoloda and associate directors Marianne Fiese and Serena DeMorgan to form the global core leadership team for...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at DreamCatcher Interactive.(Nick Malaperiman appointed director of international communications)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... TORONTO: DreamCatcher Interactive has appointed Nick Malaperiman as director of international communications. He will front the company's European PR campaign, as DreamCatcher moves into the European Union for the first time. He was most...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Liebert picks LSY as PR agency.(Lord Sullivan & Yoder)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... COLUMBUS, OH: Liebert, a subsidiary of Emerson that markets environmental control systems and other monitoring equipment, has picked Lord Sullivan & Yoder (LSY) as its PR agency of record. Annual fees are expected to exceed dollars 250,000. LSY...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at Ogilvy PR.(Stephen Bingham appointed SVP)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... WASHINGTON: Ogilvy PR has strengthened its health and medical practice with the addition of healthcare veteran Stephen Bingham as SVP. He formerly led Bingham Associates, a firm he founded in 1998, whose clients included Pharmacia,...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Starkman & Associates retained by actor.(J. Mark McVey)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK: Starkman & Associates, a public and investor relations firm, has been retained by J. Mark McVey, the actor currently playing the lead role of Jean Valjean in Broadway's Les Miserables, to promote his upcoming concert tour with...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Thanksgiving Coffee hires Straus Communications.(to handle trade and consumer public relations)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... FORT BRAGG, CA: Thanksgiving Coffee has hired Straus Communications to handle consumer and trade PR. Thanksgiving produces gourmet, organic, fair-trade, and shade-grown coffees. Straus specializes in working with clients in the organic-foods...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at LC Williams & Associates.(Gregory Gordon appointed vice president of research and strategy)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... CHICAGO: Gregory Gordon has joined LC Williams & Associates as VP of research and strategy. He had been managing director of the Ragan Consulting Group.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Leary & Tiziani changes name.(to Tiziani Whitmyre)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... SHARON, MA: Leary & Tiziani has become Tiziani Whitmyre, a transaction that completed a 10-month transition period following the retirement of Bob Leary. Robert Tiziani, cofounder and principal, was appointed CEO and principal of the new...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at Stanton Communications.(Deborah Radman hired to open agency's New York office)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... NEW YORK: Deborah Radman, former managing director for KCSA, has joined Stanton Communications to open the agency's first New York office. She will also lead a newly formed corporate practice group.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Ogilvy PR launches Motorsports Group.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... CHARLOTTE, NC: Ogilvy PR has launched the Ogilvy PR Motorsports Group, a Charlotte-based marketing and communications unit that will attempt to help sponsors, teams, and series maximize the return on their motorsports marketing investments.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Appointment at Tier Technologies.(Tom Nutile appointed vice president of corporate communications)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... BOSTON: Tier Technologies has appointed Tom Nutile as VP of corporate communications. Nutile will handle media relations, IR, and internal communications for the business and IT consulting firm.

Edelman expands grassroots group with Lunde, Burger.(Brian Lunde, George Burger appointed)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... WASHINGTON: Edelman has boosted its grassroots capabilities with the recent addition of Brian Lunde, George Burger, and the four-person staff from their now-defunct agency Lunde & Burger. That firm, established in 1988, became a part of...

GM reaches out to minorities to drive sales.(General Motors increases its public relations efforts targeted at African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanics)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... DETROIT: General Motors is stepping up its PR efforts aimed at African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanics. The new PR initiatives are part of GM's plan to increase overall marketing efforts to these groups. This year, the automaker...

NJ doctors stage slowdown to fight malpractice threat.
February 10, 2003... TRENTON, NJ: New Jersey doctors took an unprecedented job action last week, and made sure the media knew about it. The New Jersey Medical Society helped coordinate a statewide work slowdown of physicians to protest what the group said are...

Cordiant breakup said to result in FD talking about MBO.(management-buyout bid about to be launched at FD International )(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... LONDON: FD International's bosses are poised to launch a management-buyout bid as parent firm Cordiant Communications began breaking up the troubled marketing communications firm this week. Insiders at FD International, which operates FD...

Vaccination plans induce health-risk awareness effort.(Immune Deficiency Foundation awareness campaign on smallpox vaccinations by Fleishman-Hillard)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... TOWSON, MD: In response to the federal government's smallpox vaccination initiative, the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) has teamed up with Fleishman-Hillard for an awareness campaign. The effort is being partially funded by an educational...

Boston Globe to ban form letters from advocacies.(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... BOSTON: The Boston Globe will soon take steps to fortify its pages against one of the tools of advocacy groups in the internet age: the prefabricated e-mail. Four times since October has the paper mistakenly published such e-mails, signed...

H&K looks outside WPP for partners in diversity comms.(Hill & Knowlton)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... LOS ANGELES: Hill & Knowlton has joined forces with two advertising agencies and a public affairs shop to form an umbrella multicultural group to target new business. The partnership is unusual because it brings together companies that do...