PR Week (US) articles from June 2008

PR Week (US) archives from June 2008

Pfizer boosts comms initiative for Chantix.
June 2, 2008... NEW YORK: Pfizer readjusted its communications strategy for its anti-smoking drug Chantix on the heels of concerns regarding its possible side effects. Last month, the FAA banned pilots from taking Chantix after a report from drug...

Molson Coors enlists Ogilvy.
June 2, 2008... DENVER: Molson Coors hired Ogilvy Public Relations as its corporate AOR to focus on reputation management, social responsibility, and issues management. Molson chose Ogilvy in mid-May for the six-figure base agreement after a two-round RFP...

Entertainment industry unites in cancer telethon.
June 2, 2008... NEW YORK: The Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a nonprofit that draws on the entertainment sector, hired Ketchum to promote the recently announced September 5 broadcast of Stand Up to Cancer, an hour-long fundraising event set to air...

American Airlines pinpoints fuel prices for raising bag fee.
June 2, 2008... FORT WORTH, TX: American Airlines (AA), which recently said it will begin charging most customers dollars 15 per checked bag, has focused its overall communications strategy on explaining to consumers the challenges the industry is facing,...

Survey into reporting relationships.(Survey)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... LOS ANGELES: PR pros who report directly to the C-suite are more likely to have a larger amount of resources than those who don't, according to a survey from The Strategic Public Relations Center at the University of Southern California (USC)....

CRT/tanaka, AOR for Agility Healthcare Solutions.
June 2, 2008... GLEN ALLEN, VA: Agility Healthcare Solutions tapped CRT/tanaka as its AOR. The Richmond, VA-based agency will provide PR and marketing for AgileTrac Enterprise, the company's software suite

New clients for Greenough Communications.
June 2, 2008... BOSTON: Greenough Communications recently added two new clients, Communispace, a creator of corporate online customer communities, and Virtela Communications, a provider of global managed network and security services

Echo Research launches SAGE.(senior advisory group of experts)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... LONDON: Echo Research launched its Senior Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE), an international network to counsel on best practices, reputation measurement, and communications effectiveness. The seven founding SAGE members include Don Stacks,...

Zaio Corporations selects William Mills Agency.
June 2, 2008... ATLANTA: Zaio Corporation, a real estate technology and database company, selected William Mills Agency to plan and execute PR initiatives

New clients for Phelps Group.
June 2, 2008... SANTA MONICA, CA: The Phelps Group added three new clients, including Public Storage Pickup & Delivery, for which it will oversee a new online strategy, including a complete SEO plan

New clients for Idea Hall.
June 2, 2008... COSTA MESA, CA: Idea Hall, which recently opened an office in LA, picked up six new clients, such as SchoolsFirst, Northern California-based Mi Pueblo Food Center, and the city of Victorville, CA

Sweeney, AOR for The Plaza Group.
June 2, 2008... CLEVELAND: The Plaza Group, a Houston-based petrochemical marketing company, hired Sweeney as AOR, effective Q1 of 2008. Two agency staffers will provide strategic direction and support, publicity, and media relations

BW enters new sales agreement.
June 2, 2008... DUBAI: Business Wire (BW) entered a new sales agreement with News Services Group-Middle East (NSG-ME) to market BW services in the Middle East and North Africa. BW will leverage NSG-ME's Newswire to expand regional coverage. Agence...

Correction.(Correction notice)
June 2, 2008... Correction: In last week's cover story, 'Green Grid hires PN to expand its global scope,' Andrew Fox of Green Grid estimated the budget at dollars 30,000 annually, but the budget will actually be around dollars 300,000. We regret the error

WellPoint taps Ricochet as its seven-figure AOR.
June 2, 2008... NEW YORK: WellPoint named Ricochet Public Relations as its AOR after working with the New York agency for two years. The Indianapolis-based health benefits company, which represents 35 million members under its Blue Cross, Blue Shield,...

PR firms report Q1 increase.
June 2, 2008... NEW YORK: US PR firms saw a 7.5% increase in revenue, on average, for the Q1 of 2008 compared to same period in 2007, according to a survey from the Council of Public Relations Firms (CPRF). The Council's Business Practices Benchmarking Study...

Sam Adams selects DeVries.(Boston Beer Company Inc.)(DeVries Public Relations)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... BOSTON: The Boston Beer Company's leading brand, Samuel Adams, picked DeVries PR to serve as its AOR, after a three-round pitch process that included about six firms. DeVries is overseeing all media relations campaigns, 'both proactive and...

Launch Pad: Twinklets looks to shine in its introduction to America.(Duffy and Shanley Inc.)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... Organization: Twinklets, a member of the Swarovski Group Campaign: Twinklets US launch PR Team: Duffy & Shanley Launch: June 14 Budget: Undisclosed Idea: 'Our goal is really to use different methods in targeting (the girls) because...

News Analysis: Pharma giants try to clarify transparency.
June 2, 2008... The major players are ready to be more open, but there's no consensus about how best to do it. Last month, Eli Lilly cast its support behind a federal bill that would require drugmakers to disclose payments to doctors. The bill was revised -...

Newsmaker: Palansky boosts the odds for poker's main event.
June 2, 2008... Poker may not jump to mind as a spectator sport. However, the 39th annual World Series of Poker (WSOP), which began May 30, will draw more eyes than ever if Seth Palansky, director of communications, sports and entertainment, at Harrah's, which...

Companies: Corporate Profile - Christie's paints consistent global message.(Company overview)
June 2, 2008... With headquarters all over the world, the PR team works cohesively to host successful auctions. Christie's, the art auctioneer in business since 1766, has recently been in the news a lot for the auctioning of some unusual items, including...

Companies: The Agency Business - MBAs help PR pros to stand out with C-suite execs.
June 2, 2008... When the economy stumbles, PR is typically one of the first places that skittish companies make cuts. But as PR agencies work to gain the confidence of C-suite executives, those PR pros with MBAs are better positioned to make a compelling case...

Editorial: CEO explanation falls flat concerning transparency.(Editorial)
June 2, 2008... When Whole Foods' CEO John Mackey was caught using the screen name Rahodeb to post anonymous comments about his company and its competitors, the executive took a break from Whole Foods' The CEO's Blog. Now that the Securities and Exchange...

Op-Ed: Brands must rediscover their purpose.
June 2, 2008... How and when did brands get so small? It seems that despite the greater availability of tools to connect brands with consumers, the impact of brands on society has greatly diminished. Why are the trillions of dollars currently spent on...

Op-Ed: Prime crisis is a chance to hone skills.
June 2, 2008... There's no doubt that money is a major worry of the moment. The sub-prime mortgage mess spawned a related, and scarier, prime crisis, in which even people with traditional, 30-year-fixed mortgages are getting anxious. As the sub-prime borrowers...

Opinion: Anticipating change must now be a fixture in PR pros' arsenal.
June 2, 2008... Now that corporations are embracing content creation and social media, PR pros are sometimes surprised to find their job descriptions look quite similar to that of journalists (albeit with obvious caveats regarding objectivity and...

Opinion: Schools must help bridge gap between comms and business.(Viewpoint essay)
June 2, 2008... I recently joined 30 colleagues from the academic, agency, and corporate worlds for a symposium co-sponsored by the Arthur W. Page Society and the Institute for Public Relations, groups on which I serve as a trustee. The Tuck School of Business...

Factfile: New Line gives Bag Borrow or Steal priceless exposure.
June 2, 2008... In the news When New Line Cinema told the luxury bag, jewelry, and sunglass rental company, Bag Borrow or Steal, six months ago that it would be included in the new Sex and the City film, it was a dream come true for the company -...

Media: A blogger's essay creates an online frenzy.
June 2, 2008... In terms of generating Internet buzz, the front-page New York Times Magazine essay penned by former Gawker editor Emily Gould, which was featured prominently on the newspaper's Web site, would generally be considered a homerun. Published...

Media: Journalist Q&A - Kate Taylor, The New York Sun.
June 2, 2008... Name: Kate Taylor Title: Arts and culture reporter Outlet: The New York Sun Preferred contact method: ktaylor@nysun.com Web site: www.nysun.com PRWeek: What sets the New York arts and culture scene apart? Kate Taylor: In terms...

Media: Research - Views of Iraq War coverage in US.(Table)
June 2, 2008... Conducted by: Commissioned by the Poynter Institute, conducted by Zogby Intl., and funded by the McCormick Foundation Sample: 8,683 adults (May 9-12) Goal: To determine US adults' views on press coverage of the Iraq War KEY FINDINGS 75%...

Media Roundup: Candy stories take a positive, upscale spin.
June 2, 2008... It turns out that even the media has a sweet tooth when it comes to confections. Not only is the confection industry somewhat recession proof, but most reporters aren't putting blame on candy and sweets for America's growing obesity...

Media: Critical Hit - Delta's new video gets an AP boost.
June 2, 2008... Delta recently introduced a new onboard safety message. What were the airline's media goals regarding that new video? Katie Connell: We wanted to introduce the new video in a different and nontraditional way to achieve two primary goals:...

Media: Ups and Downs.
June 2, 2008... The Boston Globe launches a Web site for local mothers, featuring an event calendar and parenting forums among its features Canadian Geographic prints its annual environmental issue on wheat paper, a first in North America The Society...

Media: Inside Information - Mobile instant messaging helps quick-paced dialogue.
June 2, 2008... The often hectic and travel-filled schedules of today's PR pros are no excuse for them to avoid contact with their employees that are seated at their desks in agency offices. To keep in touch with staffers, and to maintain a private and...

Cover Story: A solid lineup.
June 2, 2008... CA's recent restructuring of its communications function has enabled the company to more effectively support overall PR and business goals. Former Computer Associates CEO Sanjay Kumar became a household name for all the wrong reasons....

Market Focus: Steady information is an invaluable asset.(Brinker Capital)
June 2, 2008... For companies looking to target financial advisors, a consistent and useful message is what resonates. Tonya Garcia reports. About two years ago, Brinker Capital, a dollars 10 billion money management firm, and its AOR, Middleburg...

PR Technique: Senior LGBTs require inclusive outreach.
June 2, 2008... Connecting with this unique audience requires a specialized approach. Tanya Lewis reports. Both mainstream and gay media have increased coverage of the senior LGBT market, and it's a niche worth cultivating relationships with for many...

Campaigns: Uncle Ben's helps to feed children.(Mars Foods USA)(Second Harvest)
June 2, 2008... Mars Foods USA PR Team: Mars Foods USA (McLean, VA) and Current Lifestyle Marketing (Chicago) Campaign: Uncle Ben's and America's Second Harvest Kids Cafe Program Duration: September 2007-ongoing Budget: dollars 500,000 ...

Campaigns: ASPCA gets support for its move with media outreach.(American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)(Vollmer Public Relations)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... ASPCA PR Team: ASPCA (New York) and Vollmer PR (Austin) Campaign: ASPCA Mission: Orange - Town Lake Animal Center Relocation Program Duration: September 14 - October 11, 2007 Budget: dollars 11,000 The city then decided to put the...

Campaigns: Panera puts the focus on the needy with turkey drive.(Panera Bread Co.)(RMD Advertising)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... Panera Bread PR Team: Panera Bread's Ohio franchises and RMD Advertising (Columbus, OH) Campaign: Great Panera Turkey Drive Duration: October 1, 2007-November 25, 2007 Budget: dollars 5,000 After the company renamed and rebranded...

PR Toolbox: Demonstrating ROI, call-in radio segments, and more.
June 2, 2008... ROI How can we effectively show clients and/or company management the ROI of PR tactics? Inserting anchor text links in traditional press releases and tagging them throughout the copy can be a good way to measure customer activity...

People Moves: Qorvis Communications.(appointment of Tom Reynolds)(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... WASHINGTON: Qorvis Communications has hired Tom Reynolds, the former national press secretary for Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM), as a director. Reynolds will advise clients on public affairs and crisis management issues. Reynolds is also a former...

People Moves: Aetna.
June 2, 2008... HARTFORD, CT: Aetna hired Mohit Ghose as VP for public affairs Ghose, who last worked as SVP for public affairs at the trade association America's Health Insurance Plans, started May 30. He will report to Robert Mead, SVP for strategic...

People Moves: Bite Communications.
June 2, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO: Bite Communications named David Hargreaves its new GM of North America. Hargreaves previously worked as GM of Bite's London office, overseeing EMEA. Burghardt Tenderich, Bite's previous North American GM, stepped down in August...

People Moves: Carmichael Lynch Spong.
June 2, 2008... MINNEAPOLIS: Carmichael Lynch Spong hired Kelley Shoemaker as director of operations. Shoemaker, based at the agency's Minneapolis office, was previously the director of finance and human resources at Ultra Creative and a financial analyst at...

People Moves: The Independent Petroleum Associations of America.
June 2, 2008... WASHINGTON: The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) recently hired Nicole Daigle as its director of public affairs. Daigle oversees IPAA member outreach, as well as initiatives to promote US oil and gas in the media. She most...

People Moves: Peppercom.(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... NEW YORK: Peppercom hired Sam Ford, formerly of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as director of consumer insights on May 21. Ford previously worked as a project manager at MIT's Convergence Culture Consortium and as an MIT...

People Moves: US Coast Guard.
June 2, 2008... WASHINGTON: The US Coast Guard named Chris O'Neil chief of media relations at its headquarters in Washington, DC. O'Neil previously served as a public affairs officer for the Coast Guard in Miami

People Moves: Crosby Marketing Communications.
June 2, 2008... ANNAPOLIS, MD: Crosby Marketing Communications hired Joe Fino as director of marketing technology. Fino will lead the development of Web-related projects, interactive programs, and new media technologies He was formerly the director of...

Careers: Expert Advice - Steve Seeman, VP Makovsky & Company.
June 2, 2008... What are some ways for me to better encourage the staff at my agency to become 'greener'? A: Becoming an environmentally friendly organization should be everyone's responsibility, including your firm's senior management. Real and permanent...

Frosted Monet-Wheats NEXT?(Brief article)
June 2, 2008... Americans for the Arts and the Ad Council are uniting to encourage parents to 'feed their children the arts' through several PSAs, which debuted May 22 at the New England Art Institute. Food items including 'Raisin Brahms' (pictured) and...

Kaiser hires GolinHarris to help broaden its reach.(Kaiser Permanente Hawaii)
June 9, 2008... OAKLAND, CA: Kaiser Permanente selected GolinHarris for a six-figure AOR account to help the healthcare organization communicate the benefits of its operating model, database, and research to a wider audience. The managed healthcare...

GM outlines its conversion to gas-efficient product line.
June 9, 2008... DETROIT, MI: General Motors (GM) said its announcement to shutter truck plants in favor of small-car production furthers its earlier message promoting fuel-efficient vehicles. Tom Wilkinson, GM director of news relations, said that rising...

SEIU intensifies its fight to close equity firm loopholes.
June 9, 2008... WASHINGTON: SEIU launched a new phase of its recent campaign against tax loopholes that it said unfairly benefits private equity firms. This effort specifically targets Kohlberg, Kravis, and Roberts (KKR) and its ties to the John McCain...

Carlson's new push aims to boost traveler appeal.
June 9, 2008... MINNEAPOLIS: Carlson Hotels has embarked on a national brand awareness campaign to boost the appeal of its brands, Radisson and Country Inns & Suites, to business and leisure travelers. The efforts, which will cost about dollars 250,000,...

Toyota Camry targets black women in new digital effort.
June 9, 2008... TORRANCE, CA: Toyota Motor Corp. kicked off a new immersive entertainment campaign to market its 2009 Camry to black women. The 'If Looks Could Kill' campaign combines digital and real-world gaming components centered around a new Web site...

Porter Novelli provides media and investor relations.
June 9, 2008... VANCOUVER: Porter Novelli is providing media and investor relations, as well as internal communications for OncoGeneX Technologies, a biopharmaceutical company, which is merging with Sonus Pharmaceuticals. PN has been the AOR for OncoGeneX...

EFG opens East Coast headquarters.
June 9, 2008... NEW YORK: LA-based Entertainment Fusion Group (EFG) opened East Coast headquarters in New York's Flatiron District. There, it will launch EFG Mobile - which will specialize in mobile marketing and content delivery - this summer. The company's...

Waggener Edstrom Worldwide adds Apex Public Relations.
June 9, 2008... SEATTLE: Waggener Edstrom Worldwide reported on June 2 that it has added the firm Apex Public Relations of Toronto to its global alliance program. This is Waggener Edstrom's first partnership with a Canadian agency. Ten other countries are...

G.S. Schwarta & Co adds new clients.
June 9, 2008... NEW YORK: G.S. Schwartz & Co. added three clients from the US and Canada, including Montreal-based gift and retail packaging company Noble Gift Packaging, and digital marketing agency Greater than One of New York

DolceGoldin opens.
June 9, 2008... NEW YORK: Joe Dolce, the former editor-in-chief of both Details and Star magazines, and Davidson Goldin, the former editorial director of MSNBC, opened DolceGoldin, a marketing and PR consulting firm

MWW Group began the communications effort ..
June 9, 2008... EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ: MWW Group began the communications effort for Linens 'n Things, as the retailer undergoes a financial restructuring following its Chapter 11 petition. MWW would not comment on its work

Shareholders meeting for Havas.
June 9, 2008... SURESNES, FRANCE: At Havas' annual shareholders meeting on May 29, shareholders renewed the terms of office for Vincent Bollore, the chairman of the board, and Jacques Seguela, EVP and chief creative officer, for three more years

Tim Smith launches Element PR.
June 9, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO: Tim Smith, the former senior managing director at Spark PR, has launched Element PR. Element PR is a technology-focused boutique firm that will specialize in both b-to-b and b-to-c clients

New study measures online use.(Brief article)
June 9, 2008... CHICAGO: Online use differs by gender, according to a new study by global market research firm Synovate, which measured the behavior of more than 4,000 Hispanic, black, and white consumers, ages 18 and older About 55% of black males ages 18 to...

Starmark International employs three more people.
June 9, 2008... FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: Starmark International, an integrated marketing communications agency, formed a new Entertainment Group and added three new staff members, including Jeremy Cockrell as VP of entertainment markets

SWA campaign touts its plan for no-fee services.
June 9, 2008... DALLAS: Southwest Airlines (SWA) launched a new campaign, 'Fees Don't Fly,' to reinforce the company's decision to provide its services without additional charges. Recently, competitor airlines have made headlines with changes to service,...

TWC to test variable pricing.
June 9, 2008... NEW YORK: Time Warner Cable's (TWC) PR staff is conducting blog outreach for its test of an Internet usage-based pricing plan. The cable company's test rates range from dollars 29.95 to dollars 54.90 per month, based on usage, according to...

Study: Green trails economy.
June 9, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO: The economy has edged out the environment when it comes to consumers' concerns according to the 2008 Image Power Green Brands Survey. However, the survey, conducted by three WPP agencies, shows that the issue is still an...

Launch Pad: Borders.com uses video in outreach for solo act launch.
June 9, 2008... Organization: Borders Campaign: Relaunch of Borders.com PR Team: Internal PR staff Launch: May 27 Budget: Undisclosed The company used its internal PR staff to conduct media and analyst outreach, to ensure wide customer awareness....

PR Play of the Week: Tube creator has new use for canister.
June 9, 2008... Egyptians buried pharaohs in elaborate sarcophagi with gold and jewels to take to the afterlife. Fancy indeed, but when you're Fredric Baur, creator of the nifty Pringles potato crisp container, an empty snack tube seems a much cozier place to...

Carbon Motors takes its police vehicles on a tour.
June 9, 2008... PITTSBURGH: Carbon Motors, a startup manufacturer, which recently hired DC-based Adfero Group as its AOR, will take its law enforcement vehicles directly to the police with a nationwide tour of police training facilities. Adfero is...

Execs join social media conversation.
June 9, 2008... NEW YORK: Representatives from the US Army, MasterCard, Siemens, and Lazard highlighted the importance of accuracy, as well as expediency in the digital age, during a recent Weber Shandwick event. Geoff Colvin, senior editor-at-large at...

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf appoints Formula AOR.(agency of record)
June 9, 2008... LOS ANGELES: West Coast-based The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf hired Formula as its AOR for a four-pronged PR approach. Formula president Michael Olguin said that the agency's LA office will handle the franchise's national media relations, store...

Buckeyes to boost Ohio weekenders.(Brief article)
June 9, 2008... COLUMBUS: Ohio's Tourism Division is encouraging blacks and Hispanics to spend a few days in the Buckeye State. The Livin' for the Weekend campaign adds a multicultural component to the state's tourism drive. It touts Ohio icons like the...

Hydrox organizes cookie comeback.
June 9, 2008... BATTLE CREEK, MI: In response to consumer lobbying, the Kellogg Company will bring back its discontinued cookie brand Hydrox this fall for a limited time. Launched in 1908 but yanked in 2005, Hydrox will hit the shelves again in late...

Playground rebuilding.(Brief article)
June 9, 2008... The children of New Orleans have had a tough time ever since Hurricane Katrina hit the city in the fall of 2005. The qubo Channel tried to turn that around by rebuilding a playground at the Sarah T Reed Elementary School, along with help from...

News Analysis: Book row puts spotlight on spokespeople.
June 9, 2008... Sparked by the debate over McClellan's book, discussion grows about the role of spokesperson. The just-published memoir of former press secretary Scott McClellan has raised questions regarding the role of the spokesperson, as many argue...

Newsmaker: Effler's creativity gives Volvo a feeling of security.
June 9, 2008... Geno Effler truly enjoyed the episode of Desperate Housewives in which Susan Mayer (played by Teri Hatcher) crashed her old Volvo XC70 into a lake and survived to replace it with the newer 2008 model. Volvo's VP of public affairs, North...

Editorial: Attacks by CBS show the public's opinion of PR pros.(Editorial)
June 9, 2008... Although former White House press secretary Scott McClellan gained instant attention for his recent book - What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception - discussions soon turned to criticism of the PR...

Op-Ed: Sustainability won't be the first to go.
June 9, 2008... Anyone who thought that the economic downturn was a threat to the corporate sustainability movement should have come to the annual CERES conference, held in Boston in late April. Nearly 700 corporations, including large multinationals; small...

Op-Ed: McClellan book timing hurt his brand.(Scott McClellan )
June 9, 2008... Scott McClellan is making more news outside of the White House than he ever did when he was there. With the release of What Happened, pundits and politicians alike are questioning his motives and veracity But putting all that aside, how well...

Opinion: PR should highlight work, not charity, in response to criticism.
June 9, 2008... When talking about how bad they are at promoting themselves, PR pros often claim the irritating cobblers' children defense. They claim, quite rightly, that they're often poor at their own proactive PR. But the events of last week - when CBS...