PR Week (US) articles from February 2009

PR Week (US) archives from February 2009

Obama's pledge empowers clean tech companies to boost comms.
February 2, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO: Clean tech companies are mobilizing their communications to take advantage of President Barack Obama's pledged investment in solar, wind, and biofuels. According to an analysis by the Center for American Progress, the more...

Blagojevich hires agency.
February 2, 2009... SPRINGFIELD, IL: Rod Blagojevich hired The Publicity Agency (TPA) on January 22 to assist the Illinois governor with handling media inquiries and media strategy. Blagojevich was arrested on federal corruption charges alleging an attempt by...

Edelman nets Symantec job.
February 2, 2009... CUPERTINO, CA: Symantec has selected Edelman as its consumer AOR, pending contract negotiations, after a competitive review. Lorraine Hamby, consumer PR director at Symantec, said, 'We are hoping to move forward with Edelman,' but contract...

Taking Steps against cancer.
February 2, 2009... The Weekend to End Breast Cancer gathered ballerinas in six Canadian cities, including Vancouver and Toronto, to raise awareness for the two-day 60K (about 37-mile) walk. Dancers performed in indoor malls on January 21, where three out of 27...

Geron touts clearance for first human stem cell trial.
February 2, 2009... MENLO PARK, CA: Geron, a biopharmaceutical company, is working with Russo Partners on the company's clearance by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to start the first clinical trial using human embryonic stem cells. The PR team used a...

Companies promote giving back in Black History Month.
February 2, 2009... CHICAGO: A number of companies are promoting giving back to local communities in their campaigns to celebrate February as Black History Month. Coca-Cola, which has been celebrating Black History Month since 1978, launched a national...

John Thain enlists Sunshine, Sachs & Associates.
February 2, 2009... NEW YORK: Former Merrill Lynch chief executive John Thain has enlisted Sunshine, Sachs & Associates for PR services. Firm president Ken Sunshine would not elaborate on the nature of the work, saying, 'We take great pride in our discretion.'...

Middleberg Communications acquires The Weiser Group.(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... NEW YORK: Middleberg Communications acquired financial firm The Weiser Group, effective February 2. Middleberg Group CEO Don Middleberg did not disclose the acquisition price, but said that with Weiser Group, which has annual billings of more...

EFoodSafety.com and Freedom2 Holdings hired ..(Arcand & Madison PR)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... SCOTTSDALE, AZ: EFoodSafety.com and Freedom2 Holdings hired Arcand & Madison PR and The Ruth Group for support during a merger that is expected to close February 28. The one-year contracts, which began January 26, have a combined worth of...

Alterian's Annual Marketing Survey.(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... LONDON: While investments in online marketing continue to grow, only 47% of marketers are using marketing applications to measure their efforts, according to Alterian's sixth Annual Marketing Survey. The company polled 1,545 marketing pros in...

Havas reorganised group structure.
February 2, 2009... PARIS: Havas recently reorganized its group structure around two divisions: Havas Media and Havas Worldwide. Havas Media will cover brands like Havas Sports & Entertainment, Media Contacts, Arena, and MPG, while Havas Worldwide will house all...

Subin Associates hires Adam Kluger PR.(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... NEW YORK: Subin Associates, a New York-based law firm, hired Adam Kluger PR for ongoing media support, effective January 21. The New York agency was hired to help the law firm gain visibility while it is working on several high-profile cases,...

Tartaglia Communications launches.
February 2, 2009... SOMERSET, NJ: Tartaglia Communications, a firm focusing on health, science, and nonprofits, announced its launch on January 22. Dennis Tartaglia founded the firm in October after leaving his position as an SVP in the healthcare practice at M...

Correction.(Correction notice)
February 2, 2009... Correction: In the January 26 'Critical Hit,' the total readership of InStyle magazine was listed as 4.5 million, but it is in fact about 9.5 million. We regret the error. -------------------- Did you find this article useful? Why not...

P&G teams with BET for upcoming TV series.
February 2, 2009... CINCINNATI: Procter & Gamble is focusing its PR efforts online as it expands its My Black Is Beautiful (MBIB) program with collaboration on a new series set to debut on BET next month. P&G is working with multicultural firm Footsteps Group on...

Trust in business at 10-yr. low.(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... NEW YORK: Americans' trust in businesses dropped to its lowest point in a decade, according to results from the 2009 Edelman Trust Barometer. The 10th annual global study surveyed almost 4,500 college-educated people with household incomes...

Special Olympics ups outreach.
February 2, 2009... WASHINGTON: The Special Olympics PR team hopes to leverage activities during its 2009 Winter Games this February in Idaho to attract more constituents to its year-round programs. 'Our (goal) is to promote (the program) so all people realize...

Launch Pad: LG dials up style and economic sensibility with its latest phone.
February 2, 2009... Company: LG Mobile Phones Campaign: Launch of the LG CF360 mobile phone PR Team: Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Launch: January 26 Budget: Undisclosed Idea: The launch was intended to showcase new features for the phone and its...

News Analysis: Investigation vindicates DoD PA program.
February 2, 2009... An internal investigation states the DoD did not violate policies with TV, radio military analysts. The Department of Defense's inspector general determined that a controversial Pentagon program that briefed TV and radio military analysts...

Newsmaker: Cabrey gives a healthy boost to Shire's branding.
February 2, 2009... Matt Cabrey joined Shire Pharmaceuticals four years ago as the corporate communications director when the British biopharma company had just began US expansion. Shire now has a presence in 23 countries and is considered a leader in...

Companies: Organizational Profile - Reeve Foundation keeps making strides.(Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation)
February 2, 2009... From its popular galas to exclusive surveys, the evolving nonprofit leans heavily on comms. The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, the nonprofit dedicated to drawing awareness to finding a cure for paralysis, is currently in...

Companies: The Agency Business - Financial practices diversify amid down economy.(financial services managing public relations due to recession)
February 2, 2009... As the global recession deepens, corporate/financial practices and firms are increasingly diversifying to weather the hard times. While bankruptcies and other crisis communications work are on the rise, some firms are actively beefing up other...

Editorial: Blagojevich misses the mark in disorganized media blitz.(Editorial)
February 2, 2009... Illinois' embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich skipped his impeachment hearing at the state's capitol last week, and took to the airwaves instead. His media blitz, which included appearances on shows ranging from The View to The Rachel Maddow Show,...

Op-Ed: Time for new healthcare PR standard.
February 2, 2009... The PhRMA Code that took effect January 1 increases regulatory compliance pressure on companies. Its newest provision is clear: Any entity engaged in drug promotion, including PR firms hired by companies, is accountable for upholding compliance...

Op-Ed: Does your publicity deliver value?
February 2, 2009... When budgets are being scrutinized in a tight economy, agencies are often asked if publicity delivers value. In 20 years of probing, we've found that there is no generally accepted means of commercial evaluation of marketing publicity -...

Opinion: Financial crisis playbook now needs to address the taxpayers.
February 2, 2009... I hope that as the financial markets and economy swooned, ex-Merrill Lynch CEO John Thain looked nervously at the goods that comprised his dollars 1.2 million office refurbishment. AIG got rapped on the knuckles for its post-bailout retreat,...

Opinion: In this economy, the ticket is to find a job you love and master it.
February 2, 2009... Because this will be my last regular column in this space, I thought I'd use it to offer a little advice to young communications pros about to enter the toughest job market in recent memory. - Do what you love. If it's sports, music, cars,...

Opinion: Tweet furor mustn't quell online candor, creativity.
February 2, 2009... No one with a Facebook page or Twitter account could fail to have sympathy for the Ketchum staffer, whose Tweet about his client FedEx's home city of Memphis, TN, led to recriminations from the company and apologies from the firm. According to...

Media: Analysis - Times are changing for network news.
February 2, 2009... When CBS announced that it would broadcast a special edition of The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric in prime time on January 28, the media questioned whether the move was a publicity stunt or experimentation with time slots. CBS contends...

Media: Journalist Q&A - Matt Kinsman, Folio.
February 2, 2009... Name: Matt Kinsman Title: Managing editor Outlet: Folio Preferred e-mail address: mkinsman@red7media.com Web site: foliomag.com PRWeek: What are the stories being lost because the economy is so bad that they're being overshadowed?...

Media Roundup: Performing arts maintains its audience.
February 2, 2009... Despite declining consumer spending, government cutting back support for the arts, and newspapers curtailing culture coverage, the performing arts in general are weathering the economic downturn. The media sector covering the industry is doing...

Media: Critical Hit - Hays sees value in Forbes.com story.
February 2, 2009... Who is your client? What are its media goals? Meredith Fletcher: Hays Financial Consulting is an Atlanta-based corporate financial consulting and accounting firm that specializes in bankruptcy... (and) receivership management... and other...

Media: Inside Information - E-mail newsletters engage the press and public alike.
February 2, 2009... E-mail newsletters like DailyCandy, Thrillist, and Ideal Bite offer subscribers inside tips on the hottest trends, restaurants, and products. A single, hyperlinked mention of a company on one of these has caused products to sell out and Web...

Media: Ups and Downs.
February 2, 2009... The Tribune Co. nears completion of a deal to sell the Chicago Cubs MLB franchise in a transaction that would net the financially troubled publisher dollars 900 million The owner of Hardcore Gamer magazine finds a buyer for his publication...

Cover Story: A healthy approach.(Cleveland Clinic use effective media relations strategy )
February 2, 2009... Cleveland Clinic has taken a variety of steps to create a more seamless and effective media relations strategy. When surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic performed the first near-total face transplant in the US in December 2008, getting the...

Market Focus: Part of the game.
February 2, 2009... From the season-ticket holder to the avid supporter who lives far away, social media tools are helping sports franchises keep all fans engaged. Last fall, when officials from the Phoenix Suns NBA franchise noticed that an imposter was...

PR Technique: Making sure that your opinion gets heard.
February 2, 2009... Getting an Op-Ed piece placed requires solid writing, as well as a strategic, timely plan, finds Tanya Lewis. Last November, the Treasury Department announced it was considering a new program for investing Troubled Asset Relief Program...

Campaigns: Hennepin works to 'save a brain'.(campaign tp provide awareness of brain injuries in community)
February 2, 2009... Hennepin County medical PR Team: Hennepin County Medical Center and Russell Herder (both Minneapolis, MN) Campaign: Save This Brain Duration: August-October 2008 Budget: dollars 200,000 Ranked among America's best hospitals by US...

Campaigns: CodeWeavers capitalizes on the election to boost brand.(political elections campaigns)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... Codeweavers PR Team: CodeWeavers (St. Paul, MN) and Haberman & Associates (Minneapolis, MN) Campaign: Lame Duck Challenge Duration: July-October 2008 Budget: dollars 12,000 The company enlisted Haberman & Associates to craft a...

Campaigns: Harrah's adds a bit of Vegas to Chicago casino's opening.
February 2, 2009... Harrah's entertainment PR Team: Harrah's Entertainment (Las Vegas) and XA, The Experiential Agency (Chicago) Campaign: Grand Opening of Horseshoe Hammond Casino Duration: February-August 8, 2008 Budget: about dollars 40,000 ...

PR Toolbox: Obtaining new business, social media tools, more.
February 2, 2009... New business What is the best way for agencies to pursue new business during uncertain economic times? When chasing new business, agencies should focus on the three pillars of business development - prospecting, penetration, and...

People moves: Gavin Anderson & Company.(Richard Wolff retained by public relation firm)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... NEW YORK: Gavin Anderson & Company has retained Richard Wolff as its executive chairman of North America. Wolff joins from Huntsworth, where he was founding chief executive of The Global Consulting Group, an international IR, corporate...

People moves: APCO Worldwide.(Nelson Fernandez and Liza Olsen appointed)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... NEW YORK: APCO Worldwide made two appointments in its New York office. Nelson Fernandez was promoted from SVP to MD of the New York office, effective January 1, replacing Larry Snoddon, who is now CEO and vice chairman of its Asia region....

People moves: Scottrade.(Online investment firm promoted Kelly Doria to director )(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... ST. LOUIS, MO: Online investment firm Scottrade promoted Kelly Doria to director of PR. She will oversee all PR strategy, including traditional and social media relations and crisis communications. Doria founded the PR department and leads a...

People moves: NWW Group.(MWW Group promoted Matthew Rose to corporate communications practice leader)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ: MWW Group recently promoted several of its senior staff, including Matthew Rose to EVP and global corporate communications practice leader. He previously was EVP and GM of the New York office. Matthew Della Croce,...

People moves: Gibraltar Associates.(Gibraltar Associates hired Edward Hoover as manager)(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... WASHINGTON: Gibraltar Associates hired Edward Hoover, a former manager of public affairs at Burson-Marsteller, as VP, effective January 2. Hoover, who reports to Jim Lake, president of the firm, will focus on strategic client counsel and issues...

People moves: Edelman.(investment company promoted Jeff Zilka )(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... CHICAGO: Edelman promoted Jeff Zilka from deputy GM to GM of its Chicago financial and IR practice. Also in Chicago, the agency hired Mary Young as EVP of food and nutrition communications, effective February 9. Previously, Young was VP of...

People moves: The Space Foundation.(Janet Stevens appointed as director )(Brief article)
February 2, 2009... COLORADO SPRINGS, CO: The Space Foundation hired Janet Stevens as director of communications and public outreach, effective January 1 Stevens most recently was SVP of PR for Idearc Media, publisher of Verizon Yellow Pages. ...

People moves: Davies.
February 2, 2009... SANTA BARBARA, CA: Public affairs firm Davies named Michael Wong its pharma/biotech practice leader, effective January 6. Wong, a former healthcare practice leader for GCI Group (now Cohn & Wolfe), reports to Brandon Edwards, president and COO...

Careers: Expert Advice - Jane Waldman, dir. of recruitment, Kaplow Communications.
February 2, 2009... I want to construct as solid and appropriate a resume as I can What are your suggestions? A: Your resume should detail what you've accomplished in past jobs. A good one shows potential employers how you will likely perform in a future job....

Service companies find silver lining in recession.
February 9, 2009... NEW YORK: Companies providing PR products and services are reporting an uptick in business due to customers hit by new economic crisis-related needs, including smaller staffs and a greater demand for ROI. Vocus, a software provider for PR...

Digg names Access AOR.(Access Communications (San Francisco, California))(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO: Digg selected Access Communications as its AOR following a competitive pitch, according to industry sources. The work is expected to include thought leadership and visibility for Digg's founders; analyst relations; and...

Edelman to promote ITT in defense, commercial markets.
February 9, 2009... WHITE PLAINS, NY: High-tech manufacturing and defense supplier ITT Corp. selected Edelman to help raise awareness of its brand, following a competitive search. Edelman will work to promote ITT in the defense and commercial markets. It will...

PR Newswire taps Chacko to follow Gregson as CEO.
February 9, 2009... NEW YORK: PR Newswire (PRN) named Ninan Chacko as its new CEO. He will replace Charles Gregson, who will retire from the post this March after four years. Chacko told PRWeek two areas that will be of interest to the company will be...

Western Union says 'yes' to positive global effort.
February 9, 2009... ENGLEWOOD, CO: Western Union is launching a global brand campaign later this month, focusing on positive human interest stories from around the world. The 'yes!' campaign draws from Western Union's target audience, international migrant...

Mattel touts Barbie as a pop icon to tap three age groups.
February 9, 2009... EL SEGUNDO, CA: Mattel has launched an integrated marketing campaign to promote Barbie as a symbol of fashion and pop culture on the eve of her 50th anniversary this March. The PR team aims to reach three generations of consumers and ultimately...

News Brief: Maryland Office of Tourism Development hires Stanton.
February 9, 2009... BALTIMORE: The Maryland Office of Tourism Development hired Stanton Communications to assist its in-house team, which previously handled all PR. Slated to begin February 1, the dollars 70,000 annual contract is the result of a two-month RFP...

News Brief: OutCast Communications cuts workforce.(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO: OutCast Communications cut about 20% of its workforce in response to the failing economy. The firm laid off 17 staff members on January 29, according to Reema Bahnasy, SVP at OutCast. -------------------- Did you find...

News Brief: Kaplow lays off six employees.(Kaplow Communications)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... NEW YORK: Kaplow laid off six employees at the mid and junior level, 'as a result of our budget projections going into 2009,' said Liz Kaplow, CEO and president. The firm had around 60-plus employees; none of the layoffs were at the management...

News Brief: Bermuda's Ministry of Finance chooses agency.
February 9, 2009... HAMILTON, BERMUDA: Bermuda's Ministry of Finance selected Marston Webb International for PR and IR work. The agency will promote the business opportunities available in Bermuda to an international audience. -------------------- Did...

News Brief: Stanton Crenshaw principals to separate.(Stanton Crenshaw Communications)(Crenshaw Communications)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... NEW YORK: Stanton Crenshaw Communications' principals Alex Stanton and Dorothy Crenshaw are separating to form distinct businesses. Stanton will retain the firm, while Crenshaw will launch Crenshaw Communications. -------------------- ...

News Brief: California Department of Conservation issues RFP.
February 9, 2009... SACRAMENTO, CA: The California Department of Conservation issued an RFP for a firm to conduct communications for its beverage container recycling program. The yearlong deal, which begins July 1, has a budget of dollars 5 million and includes an...

News Brief: American Cancer Society division hires agency.
February 9, 2009... BOSTON: The New England division of American Cancer Society hired Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications after a competitive bid. The firm will provide support for a six-month effort, focusing on the nonprofit's national healthcare reform...

News Brief: The Lawrence Group hires Boardroom Communications.
February 9, 2009... NASHVILLE, TN: The Lawrence Group hired Boardroom Communications on a project basis for media relations and public affairs counsel as it seeks to purchase the US Sugar Corp. The Florida government has offered to buy US Sugar Corp. to restore...

News Brief: Corrections.(Correction notice)
February 9, 2009... The February 2 issue news story 'Obama's pledge empowers green comms' incorrectly cited NPR as an outlet where SunPower CEO Tom Werner was featured. It should have been PBS' Nightly Business Report. In a news story on the Special Olympics,...

Sony tries fashionable tack in new Vaio debut.
February 9, 2009... NEW YORK: Sony Electronics recently sent fashion models onto Manhattan's streets for the launch of its new Vaio P Series notebooks The effort, aimed at 'fashionista' men and women alike, was dubbed the company's first Fashion Week marketing...

Scholastic unveils civic push.(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... NEW YORK: Scholastic and Clifford the Big Red Dog are inviting kids and families to take action with its multiyear national civic engagement campaign, 'Be Big!,' which it launched February 2. With a tagline and message of 'It only takes a...

TowerGroup hires Edelman.
February 9, 2009... NEEDHAM, MA: Financial research and advisory firm TowerGroup has named Edelman its global AOR. The firm will focus on media outreach, analyst media training, and conferences and events. The agency, which began work on the year-long account...

Launch Pad: Merrell seeks to take it outside with launch of interactive site.(Karhu USA Inc. Merrell Footwear)(Harrison Fonteyne Snayd Communications)(Merrell.com)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... Company: Merrell (Wolverine World Wide) Campaign: 'Live Outside at Merrell.com' PR Team: Harrison Fonteyne Snayd Communications Launch: February 1 Budget: Undisclosed IDEA: The site encourages consumer interaction through a 'Let's...

News Analysis: Brands foster a mom connection online.
February 9, 2009... Noticing their impact in social media, companies are boosting outreach to these influential women. Moms have long been a coveted audience for brands, but the ways to reach them are changing rapidly. In the past year, companies have shown...

Newsmaker: AKC benefits from Okas' broader perspective.
February 9, 2009... When Daisy Okas interviewed to become assistant VP of communications at the nonprofit American Kennel Club (AKC) seven years ago, she was a dog-world outsider with a background working on consumer accounts at PR agencies such as Weber...

Companies: Corporate Profile - TurboTax's comms commitment pays off.(Company overview)
February 9, 2009... For 25 years, PR has been vital in propelling the product now used by 20 million taxpayers. From January to April, the communications team at TurboTax, Intuit's consumer tax preparation product, operates at a supercharged level,...

Companies: The Agency Business - Holding-company synergy buoys digital initiatives.
February 9, 2009... As clients embrace digital marketing initiatives, digital practice groups are working with other organizations within holding companies to cross-pollinate expertise and define the scope of work. Last September, WPP launched Deliver, an...

Editorial: Crisis PR pros should keep Phelps' error in perspective.(Editorial)
February 9, 2009... Olympic gold medal winner Michael Phelps' pot-smoking controversy isn't a career-ending misstep. The 23-year-old athlete swiftly apologized for the behavior that he called 'regrettable,' and the International Olympic Committee has accepted it....

Op-Ed: KPIs serve as better measuring tool.
February 9, 2009... We're approaching the end of the 21st century's first decade. The world is smaller than ever thanks, in no small measure, to the democratization of information engineered by the Internet. Social media and networking platforms enable people who...

Opinion: Firms also help themselves with strategic pro-bono partnerships.
February 9, 2009... If there is one bright spot to be found in the seemingly endless stream of bad economic news, it is that the spirit of philanthropy remains strong. This is certainly true of corporations, as survey after survey has revealed their plans to...

Opinion: Upside of a downturn: How to survive, thrive in the digital age.
February 9, 2009... New media is booming. Marketing spending in online spaces, games, social media, and similar areas is growing in double digits annually, and even more is projected. Savvy PR firms can find opportunities to help clients navigate these relatively...

Opinion: Factfile - Recession offers travel efforts chance to stress value, perks.
February 9, 2009... In the news. With the economy in turmoil and no clear answer of when it will bounce back, many travel brands and destinations have focused on offering perks and deals that stress value, in addition to crafting creative PR campaigns in an...

Media Analysis: Debate renews over Fairness Doctrine.
February 9, 2009... Currently, there are fairly generic terms to describe balanced news coverage, such as 'both sides of the story,' which represent journalistic ideals, not legal requirements. But with Democratic proponents of the so-called 'Fairness Doctrine'...

Media: Journalist Q&A - Cindy Boren, The Washington Post.
February 9, 2009... Name: Cindy Boren Title: NFL and Redskins editor Outlet: The Washington Post Preferred e-mail address: borenc@washpost.com Web site: washingtonpost.com PRWeek: Working at the Post, in Washington, has it impacted the coverage at all...

Media: Research - Marketing strategies in a recession.(Survey)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... CONDUCTED BY: Datran Media. Sample: 3,000-plus execs from Fortune 1,000 brands, interactive firms Goal: To determine marketing and ad challenges during a recession KEY FINDINGS 58.5% said that e-mail advertising budgets will...

Media Roundup: Job market coverage prospers in recession.
February 9, 2009... In the past, media attention to the job market peaked twice a year - in late spring when college graduates entered the labor force, and during the holidays when retailers brought on seasonal workers. However, during the current economic...

Media: Critical Hit - 'Time' story revs up interest in Buell.
February 9, 2009... Who is your client? What are its media goals? Matthew Wagner: Buell Motorcycles is an East Troy, WI-based manufacturer who targets the more experienced rider looking for a well-engineered bike. Now a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, Buell's...

Media: Media Ups and Downs.(briefs)(Brief article)
February 9, 2009... Oprah Winfrey's admission of weight-loss struggles boost single-copy sales of her magazine. The Project for Excellence in Journalism launches the New Media Index, which will monitor content found on new media platforms More than 300...