PR Week (US) articles from March 2009

PR Week (US) archives from March 2009

Samsung streamlines its global PR with Edelman.
March 2, 2009... SEOUL, South Korea: Samsung has consolidated its global corporate and crisis communications under Edelman, making it the electronic company's first global AOR. It has worked with the firm since 1992. James Chung, senior PR manager at...

F-H, Ketchum lay off staffers.
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK: Both Fleishman-Hillard and Ketchum have cut staff at offices across North America in recent weeks. The layoffs follow an earnings report from parent company Omnicom that showed a 10.2% decline of PR revenues in Q4, which ended...

USPS awards WS dollars 1m task.
March 2, 2009... WASHINGTON: The US Postal Service (USPS) named Weber Shandwick AOR for strategic messaging, including crisis communications, in a two-year contract worth about dollars 1 million annually. Joanne Veto, senior PR specialist at USPS, confirmed the...

Hunt signs on at PulsePoint.
March 2, 2009... LOS ANGELES: Jeff Hunt, former GCI Group CEO, has joined Feldman & Partners as an equal partner. Simultaneously, the two-year-old firm rebranded as the PulsePoint Group with an emphasis on expansion, though its focus remains communications...

BP makes a splash.
March 2, 2009... BP enlisted five-time Olympian Dara Torres to help launch its BP Gasoline with Invigorate. The 41-year-old swimmer and her run at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing fits with the product's theme: help your car run younger for longer....

'Marie Claire' sees reality show's branding potential.
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK: Hearst's Marie Claire is utilizing the new reality TV series Running in Heels as an opportunity to build brand awareness with consumers and advertisers. The new series was expected to air its first episode on March 1 on the Style...

Survey shows optimism for social media, digital in 2009.
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK: Despite the economic challenges toward the end of the year, PR firms saw growth in 2008, according to 60% of firm principals that responded to a survey from the Council of PR Firms. Yet, only 33% expect growth in 2009 and 39% expect...

The Royal Netherlands Embassy hires Ogilvy PR Worldwide.(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... WASHINGTON: The Royal Netherlands Embassy hired Ogilvy PR Worldwide for a 10-month brand management and PR effort to raise awareness about the Netherlands in the US, according to the US Department of Justice Web site. The account begins March 1...

Enfatico to lay off 8% of staff.
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK: Enfatico will lay off 8% of its staff due to economic pressures. Torrence Boone, Enfatico's CEO, announced the restructuring plans February 24 on the agency's blog. Kelly McGinnis, Enfatico's CCO, declined to comment on whether the...

InterContinental Hotels Group to undergo global review.
March 2, 2009... ATLANTA: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is undergoing a global review of its marketing and communications relationships. It formed an internal procurement team to look for ways to enable greater global efficiencies and reduce suppliers...

InVentiv Communications reports increase while InVentiv Health reports a loss.(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... SOMERSET, NJ: While InVentiv Communications reported an 18% increase in revenue for 2008 overall, the communications unit of InVentiv Health also saw a 16% drop in Q4 revenues to dollars 73.8 million. The company attributed the drop to clients...

Bissell Homecare selects CRT/Tanaka as AOR.
March 2, 2009... GRAND RAPIDS, MI: Bissell Homecare selected CRT/Tanaka as its AOR The firm will oversee media relations, social networking, product PR and launches, branding, and events for the company. -------------------- Did you find this article...

JETRO hires Quinn Gillespie & Associates.(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... WASHINGTON: The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) hired Quinn Gillespie & Associates for a dollars 20,000, one-month contract to advise it on its communication strategy, according to the US Department of Justice Web site. The firm was...

Water Pil hires GolinHarris.(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... FORT COLLINS, CO: Water Pik hired GolinHarris for its oral health business. The agency, which began work in January, is providing media relations and strategy and execution for the Fort Collins, CO-based company. The account is being led out of...

Correction.(Correction notice)
March 2, 2009... CORRECTION: The February 23 Media Roundup, 'Stimulus to highlight state news beat cuts,' inaccurately stated that the Associated Press is cutting back on its state coverage. The AP, in fact, maintains that state coverage is 'a big-time...

WTA Tour commences push to expand coverage.
March 2, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO: The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour is embarking on a global campaign to broaden coverage of its tour and players to include more lifestyle and business media. It enlisted Fleishman-Hillard to amplify its coverage outside the sports...

Microsoft tops reputation list.
March 2, 2009... CHICAGO: Microsoft finished first in Cision's 2008 Corporate Media Reputation Index. The software company has won the top spot in the annual rankings for five consecutive years and for seven of the past eight years. Microsoft held off...

Themis names Ogilvy AOR.
March 2, 2009... STAMFORD, CT: Gaming online publisher Themis Group hired Ogilvy PR Worldwide as its first AOR, effective February 23. In a six-figure, year-long contract, it will work to raise brand awareness of its Web sites, primarily the flagship online...

Launch Pad: NNN seeks to create a hit with launch of dollars 99 music video site.
March 2, 2009... Company: Next New Networks Campaign: Launch of 99DollarMusicVideos.com PR Team: LaunchSquad Launch: February 19 Budget: Undisclosed IDEA: 'We wanted advertisers to realize that there was a really unique way to connect with Web...

News Analysis: Talent drain causes auto industry concerns.
March 2, 2009... The industry's comms teams now face shrinking staffs among their many other economic hurdles. While the auto industry tries to right itself financially, it has also been bleeding senior communications talent like a leaky gasket. Most...

Newsmaker: Collegio helps the NAB score points in transition.
March 2, 2009... In February 2006, President George W. Bush mandated that all over-the-air broadcasting signals would transition to digital format three years later. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), a group that advocates for more than 8,000 TV...

Companies: Corporate Profile - Clorox finds confidence in strong comms.(Company overview)
March 2, 2009... The company has found success by measuring specific brands' ROI and consumer involvement. With an unrelenting economic recession on our hands, organizations, even large international ones like The Clorox Company, are watching every dollar....

Companies: The Agency Business - Measurement gains popularity amid the downturn.
March 2, 2009... While measurement might have once been considered disposable, PR pros say it is now increasingly a necessity for their firms and clients. Measurement is informing PR programs and pitches, and helping to demonstrate ROI, which has gained even...

Editorial: Noisy, public exits are poor judgment call for PR pros.(Editorial)
March 2, 2009... Lately, PR professionals have found themselves part of the mainstream news as their high-profile clients battle controversy - not the ideal place for crisis communications pros. The president of the Killeen Furtney Group, Joann Killeen, for...

Op-Ed: Top six bailouts expected for this year.
March 2, 2009... What's a PR bailout? It's a necessary, fundamental, and substantive change in an individual, organization, or institution that has lost its way, which requires a program to communicate the change and thereby redeem the entity's reputation....

Op-Ed: Hispanic market evolves in recession.
March 2, 2009... Advertising spending is down, the media industry is suffering, and Hispanic print outlets seem to be taking a real beating. After years of growth and diversity, Hispanic publications in major US markets are beginning to fade. Several major...

Opinion: New class of CEOs require less barriers for messaging, efforts.
March 2, 2009... Our feature this week (p. 12) focuses on Zappos.com and its approach to customer service. Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh is in a group of frontline CEOs - those unafraid to communicate directly with the public. He speaks at new media events and is...

Opinion: Washington has become capital of hope for aspiring comms pros.
March 2, 2009... I've been doing business in Washington for many years, but while shepherding a group of 25 college students there, I was struck by a new swagger in our nation's capital. Clearly, the center of power has shifted south from New York to DC. These...

Opinion: In digital age, traditional media still needs support.
March 2, 2009... People on my train used to talk a lot about sports. Now they talk about real estate. There's a kind of inertia to the conversations, as if everyone is in a state of shock over the economy, and at a loss about what to do. Industry...

Media: Analysis - Rihanna aftermath rouses ethics debate.
March 2, 2009... The shifting media landscape has radically rewritten the rules of what content is suitable for publication, and what is considered a private matter. Case in point: many outlets published a photo of a battered Rihanna, reportedly the victim of a...

Media: Journalist Q&A - Mike Huckman, CNBC and CNBC.com Pharmas Market.
March 2, 2009... Name: Mike Huckman Title: Pharmaceuticals reporter Outlets: CNBC and CNBC.com Pharmas Market Preferred contact method: mike.huckman@nbcuni.com Web site: www.cnbc.com PRWeek: Since you've been with CNBC, what have been the biggest...

Media: Research - Best social networking tools.(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... Conducted by: Abrams Research Sample: More than 200 North American social media leaders (Feb. 9-13) Goal: To find out which social media tools businesses would purchase KEY FINDINGS 45.5% said the best way to monetize is a free basic...

Media Roundup: Battle intensifies for spot on Op-Ed page.
March 2, 2009... Thanks to the Internet, everyone has - and can voice - an opinion these days. But despite the endless number of bloggers and sometimes-snarky Web sites eager to offer their takes on the news of the day, the traditional Op-Ed sections in...

Media: Critical Hit - 'Fast Company' gives IndieVest cred.(Interview)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... - Who is your client? What are its media goals? Marco Larsen: IndieVest is a financier, distributor, and production studio for independent feature films and is poised to release (its) first movie, Saint John of Las Vegas. Its media goals...

Media: Inside Information - PSA efforts with social media help reach precise groups.
March 2, 2009... While PSA initiatives usually focus on TV and radio ads, a social media component can also help reach their viewership goals. Although a Web site's audience might be smaller than TV's, the viewership is typically more precise. 'You can...

Media: Ups and Downs.(Literary magazine Oxford American suffered financially)(newspaper Web sites see a readership gain )(EW Scripps suffers loss)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... UP: Literary magazine Oxford American, suffering financially after a former employee was arrested for embezzlement, is aided by a dollars 100,000 donation from an anonymous reader UP: PBS Frontline documentary 'Inside the Meltdown' draws a...

Cover Story: A perfect fit.
March 2, 2009... Zappos' unique approach to communications and customer service is helping to form influential relationships and drive growth. Dedication to customer service has helped Zappos grow into a dollars 1 billion online retail business, and CEO...

Market Focus: Seattle.
March 2, 2009... An inside look at the trends, people, and media affecting PR in this city. Beth Krietsch reports. Five issues impacting Seattle's PR community Large tech sector Agencies in Seattle work with clients in a number of practice areas...

PR Technique: Editorial boards maintain coveted status.
March 2, 2009... Knowing the nuances of each outlet is key in seeking placement in this popular section, finds Craig McGuire. Though newspapers are suffering through a downward spiral, their editorial pages are still highly coveted placements for PR pros....

Campaigns: Barackawear garners celeb buzz.
March 2, 2009... Barackawear PR TEAM: Barackawear and LaForce and Stevens (both Los Angeles) CAMPAIGN: Barack-the-Vote DURATION: June-December 2008 BUDGET: dollars 40,000 When actor Hill Harper requested 250 shirts for an Obama fundraiser at Oprah...

Campaigns: Orkin helps 'Fight the Bite' with mosquito net program.
March 2, 2009... Orkin PR TEAM: Orkin and Jackson Spalding (both Atlanta) CAMPAIGN: Fight the Bite DURATION: April 1-August 31, 2008 BUDGET: dollars 175,000 The company came across Nothing But Nets (NBN), an organization that delivers mosquito nets...

Campaigns: Pillar to Post's efforts build a strong home foundation.(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... PIllar to post PR TEAM: Pillar to Post (Tampa, FL) and Diboll & Associates (San Francisco) CAMPAIGN: Ready for Sale DURATION: March-December 2008 BUDGET: about dollars 384,000 Due to these changes, Pillar To Post (PTP), a home...

PR Toolbox: B-to-b customers, search engine ranking, and more.
March 2, 2009... B-to-b customers What are some tips for engaging b-to-b customers in PR and marketing activities? 'Target the audience your customer cares about most and... position your customer as a thought leader by addressing an issue that is...

Careers: People moves - UPS.
March 2, 2009... Atlanta: UPS' Lisa Hamilton is moving from her position as president of the UPS Foundation to VP of corporate PR, effective March 2. In leading the department, she will oversee media relations, executive and crisis communications, reputation...

Careers: People moves - The White House.(Macon Phillips joins as director of new media)(Christina Reynolds joins as director of media affairs)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama announced 16 communications appointments, including Macon Phillips as director of new media; Christina Reynolds as director of media affairs; Dag Vega as director of broadcast media; Amy Brundage, Moira Mack...

Careers: People moves - CBS News.
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK: CBS News hired Jeff Ballabon as SVP of communications, effective February 23. He will oversee all media relations and public affairs. Ballabon is the founder of public affairs and government relations firm Ballabon Group. It was not...

Careers: People moves - Fleishman-Hillard.(Elizabeth Solberg appointed as executive consultant )(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... ST. LOUIS: Fleishman-Hillard hired Elizabeth Solberg as executive consultant and interim head of its Kansas City office, which she launched, to help the agency find a permanent GM for the office. About a year ago, Anne St. Peter left the GM...

Careers: People moves - Ketchum.(Ketchum appoints Jonathan Kopp)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... NEW YORK: Ketchum selected Jonathan Kopp, former partner at SS&K, to lead its digital practice, which it consolidated under Ketchum Digital. As global director of digital, he will work to raise awareness of Ketchum Digital. He reports to senior...

Careers: People moves - Coyne PR.
March 2, 2009... PARSIPPANY, NJ: Coyne PR appointed David Carter SVP of business development, effective February 16. Carter most recently was VP of business development at Siegel & Gale. He also worked as SVP of business development at Ruder Finn. ...

Careers: People moves - MS&L.(Steve Chipman appointed as vice president)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... LOS ANGELES: MS&L hired Steve Chipman as VP and West Coast director of digital innovation and strategy, effective immediately. Chipman will spearhead digital thinking and strategy and work with a variety of clients on initiatives, including SEO...

Careers: People moves - Expert advice.(Viewpoint essay)(Brief article)
March 2, 2009... The down economy is not allowing me to hire now, but we still need help. What can we do? A:At a time like this, using a flexible staffing model is a great option. Rather than adding headcount, many agencies and companies have taken to...

GMAC taps CJP to boost consumer-facing identity.(Company overview)
March 9, 2009... DETROIT: GMAC Financial Services has hired New York-based CJP Communications to aid outreach as it transitions into a more consumer-facing bank holding company. GMAC was founded as a wholly owned subsidiary of GM in 1919 to provide vehicle...

Kayak.com begins AOR search.
March 9, 2009... NORWALK, CT: Kayak.com, a media company and travel search Web site, has put out an RFP seeking an AOR. It will include corporate communications for parent company Kayak.com, which also operates TravelSearch.com, Sidestep.com, and...

Philips and Omnicom firms partner to form 'One Voice'.
March 9, 2009... NEW YORK: Philips has teamed with Omnicom to form 'One Voice,' a network of firms that will provide communications support. Ketchum, Fleishman-Hillard, CPR Worldwide, and Kreab Gavin Anderson will form One Voice and begin work July 1. The...

Cisco gets animated to boost product awareness.
March 9, 2009... SAN JOSE, CA: Cisco launched an online comic book series to generate momentum for its security products prior to a industry conference in April. 'The Realm,' launched March 3, is a four-part online series developed with comic-book...

IPG's CMG sees growth in 2008, decline in Q4 revenue.(Financial report)
March 9, 2009... NEW YORK: Despite a Q4 where its revenues dropped almost 13%, Interpublic Group's (IPG) Constituency Management Group (CMG) division, which includes its PR firms, finished 2008 with a year-long revenue increase of 4%. Harris Diamond, CEO...

News brief: Kampgrounds of America hires JMPR.
March 9, 2009... BILLINGS, MT: Kampgrounds of America (KOA), a franchise of about 450 campgrounds across North America, recently hired JMPR for a brand awareness initiative. The agency was hired on a three-month basis with the option to extend the contract...

News brief: Niijii Films hires The 2050 Group.
March 9, 2009... WASHINGTON: Niijii Films hired The 2050 Group to promote its new documentary, A Sea Change. The agency will handle PR around the documentary's world premiere on March 14 at the Environmental Film Festival in Washington, as well as at other film...

News brief: CRT/Tanaka acquires Lewis & Neale.(Brief article)
March 9, 2009... NEW YORK: CRT/Tanaka acquired New York-based Lewis & Neale, a firm focused solely on food and nutrition. Lewis & Neale will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of CRT/Tanaka and its president, Anita Fial, will remain in her post. The addition...

News brief: Embassy of Korea hires Scribe Strategies.(Embassy of the Republic of Korea)(Brief article)
March 9, 2009... WASHINGTON: The Embassy of the Republic of Korea hired Scribe Strategies & Advisors to provide strategic communications, PR, and policy education, according to the US Department of Justice Web site The firm started work on the two-year, dollars...

News brief: Maryland Zoo hires Weber Shandwick.
March 9, 2009... BALTIMORE: The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore recently hired Weber Shandwick to provide brand management and marketing services in an effort to raise visibility of the zoo. -------------------- Did you find this article useful? Why not...

News brief: Founding partners leave BlueCurrent PR.
March 9, 2009... DALLAS: Larry Meltzer and Robert Martin, founding partners of Fleishman-Hillard's BlueCurrent PR firm, left the agency to start their own venture in Texas. The pair opened boutique firm MM2 Public Relations in Dallas with a staff of seven and...

News brief: Porter Airlines hires Zeno Group.
March 9, 2009... TORONTO: Porter Airlines hired the Zeno Group to provide support for the launch of its US service between Toronto and Chicago. The firm's duties include media outreach and a VIP cocktail reception for influencers in Chicago. ...

News brief: Larry Weber launches Two Martinis.
March 9, 2009... WALTHAM, MA: Larry Weber, chairman and founder of the W2 Group, launched Two Martinis, a new digital branding agency. -------------------- Did you find this article useful? Why not subscribe to the magazine? Please call 08451 55 73 55...

News brief: Nike Communications adds to client roster.
March 9, 2009... NEW YORK: Nike Communications recently added three new wine and spirits clients to its roster: Benedictine Liquor, Benedictine & Brandy, and Noilly Prat. -------------------- Did you find this article useful? Why not subscribe to the...

News brief: Val Kilmer works with McMahon Squier.(McMahon Squier and Associates)(Brief article)
March 9, 2009... SANTA FE, NM: Actor Val Kilmer began working with McMahon Squier and Associates in mid-February while he contemplates a run for governor of New Mexico. Steve McMahon, a media consultant, said the firm is advising Kilmer on his decision, but has...

ADA taps Mullen to unify its messaging for diabetes.
March 9, 2009... ALEXANDRIA, VA: The American Diabetes Association (ADA) hired Mullen as its first AOR to help the nonprofit unify its messaging about the seriousness of diabetes. The three-year account, which includes PR and ads, has a budget of about dollars...

WPT promotes horse racing.
March 9, 2009... MOUNT LAUREL, NJ: West Point Thoroughbreds (WPT), a racehorse ownership company, hopes to spark renewed interest in the sport with a new campaign. 'FATE,' launched February 24, stands for 'Find a Thoroughbred Enthusiast.' The company aims...

Cleantech appoints Sterling.(Brief article)
March 9, 2009... SAN FRANCISCO: The Cleantech Group hired Sterling Communications to spearhead its global PR effort, following a competitive bid. The company enlisted Silicon Valley-based Sterling to use the agency's global network to coordinate efforts -...

Launch Pad: Corn Farmers looks to educate policymakers, improve its image.
March 9, 2009... Company: Corn Farmers Coalition Campaign: Launch of the Corn Farmers Coalition PR Team: MS&L Worldwide Launch: March 2 Budget: dollars 1 million (PR, marketing, and advertising) Idea: In response to the ongoing ethanol debate, the...

Analysis: Reform spurs healthcare groups into action.
March 9, 2009... Companies that join the dialogue will have a better chance at seeing their solutions adopted in DC. The country is poised to undertake comprehensive healthcare reform. Late last month, President Barack Obama revealed a dollars 634 billion...

Newsmaker: Brockman's motivation nets results for Disney/ABC.
March 9, 2009... When he was 20, Kevin Brockman decided to start a PR firm in New York with some friends. While the firm, Hagan, Brockman & Associates, gained experience working with the recently instituted Presidential Commission on the HIV Epidemic, Brockman...

Companies: Corporate Profile - Lululemon exercises its creative muscles.(Company overview)
March 9, 2009... From in-house efforts to in-store events, the company champions an independent PR spirit. Lululemon Athletica, a retailer of high-end, yoga-inspired athletic apparel, has capitalized on the mainstream yoga phenomenon that has rapidly...

Companies: The Agency Business - Entertainment firms must display broader talents.
March 9, 2009... The celebrity business has expanded in proportion with the public interest and media coverage it garners. Entertainment PR firms, in their attempts to stay ahead of the curve, have introduced new practices to deal with the communications issues...

Editorial: PR must speak up for the sake of its clients and itself.(Editorial)
March 9, 2009... Last Monday, AIG got its fourth helping of government-sponsored aid. However, it was a story that broke the next day that appeared to cause a bigger wave of public outrage: 'AIG's dizzying PR binge,' blared a headline from BreakingViews.com,...

Op-Ed: A marketing approach to the stimulus.(Viewpoint essay)
March 9, 2009... For weeks the debate raged between spenders - those who would prime the economy by pumping billions into public works - and reducers - those who would reduce or rebate taxes to open wallets. The spenders said the tax cuts wouldn't work because...

Op-Ed: Being small has strategic advantages.
March 9, 2009... Tough economic times call for increased strategic planning at all levels of business. For independent PR firms, strategic planning is often conducted at the end of a long day or sandwiched between client meetings. Many of us don't have adequate...

Opinion: Unprecedented opportunity and challenge await the industry in '09.(public relations firms)(Viewpoint essay)
March 9, 2009... The PRWeek Awards celebrated its 10th anniversary last Thursday (see Book of the Night, inserted). As is always the case, the event celebrated a mix of traditional and new, highlighting the industry's best and brightest agencies, campaigns,...

Opinion: How to keep your people focused amid a tough, volatile environment.
March 9, 2009... How do you keep staff focused, motivated, and engaged when their friends are being laid off, budgets are getting cut, bonuses aren't being paid out, and companies' futures are uncertain? It's not easy, and there's no simple solution. But...

Opinion: Factfile - Fox begins a new day as '24' becomes first green TV show.
March 9, 2009... In the news On March 2, Fox announced that its hit show 24 achieved carbon neutral status, making it what appears to be the first TV series to do so. Rupert Murdoch, chairman of Fox's parent company News Corp, has previously pledged that...

Media: Analysis - Print closures hasten move to new media.
March 9, 2009... The February 27 final edition of the Rocky Mountain News was a clear message that many print publications will follow the newspaper into extinction if they do not drastically alter their business models. And it is a reality for which PR pros...

Media: Journalist Q&A - Tom Zeller, Jr, New York Times.
March 9, 2009... Name: Tom Zeller, Jr Title: Editor of Green Inc. blog Outlet: The New York Times Preferred contact method: tom@nytimes.com Web site: greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com PRWeek: Do you think an online venue is best suited for this type of...

Media: Research - Most relevant media verticals.
March 9, 2009... Conducted by: The Rosen Group Sample: 316 respondents, ages 12 to 75 (February 18-23) Goal: To find what media verticals are most important to consumers KEY FINDINGS 82.8% said that newspapers are still relevant 40.9% weren't...

Media: Roundup - Nightlife sees the appeal of non-exclusivity.
March 9, 2009... Nightlife coverage in most markets has always had an aspirational quality, focused on rich and often beautiful people having more fun out on the town than the average person. But the economic downturn is having an impact. Not only is the...