PR Week (US) articles from November 2003

PR Week (US) archives from November 2003

Omnicom and WPP point to PR's resilience in quarterly earnings calls.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK: Marketing-services giants Omnicom Group and WPP, whose holdings include some of the world's largest PR agencies, both expressed cautious optimism about the state of the PR industry last week after each released their quarterly...

Visa Intl. searches for new firm after five years with GCI.
November 3, 2003... FOSTER CITY, CA: Visa International is conducting a search for a new primary agency, which the credit-card- and payment-services company hopes to have on board by the start of the new year. Russ Yarrow, SVP of global corporate relations,...

WellPoint executes comms surrounding merger amidst CA wildfires.
November 3, 2003... THOUSAND OAKS, CA: WellPoint Health Networks' internal communications team battled fires inside and outside of its Southern California offices last week, as the health-insurance company finalized details of its mega-merger with Anthem while...

PRWeek's Pharma conference adds to list of speakers.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK: PRWeek's upcoming healthcare conference, Pharma PR: The Real Direct-to-Consumer, now features several new speakers. Gloria Stone, executive director of global PR for Novartis Oncology, joins a discussion on the impact of product...

Alger brings in crisis help as Spitzer eyes fund firms.(Fred Alger Management hires Kekst and Co. for crisis public relations work)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK: As the dollars 7 trillion mutual-fund industry continues to grapple with what has begun to look like the worst corporate reputation crisis in its history, at least one major firm has retained a major crisis PR firm to help it deal...

TVEyes lures in three former VMS execs.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... FAIRFIELD, CT: Broadcast monitoring company TVEyes, previously solely operated by founder David Ives, has added a management team that includes three former VMS executives, including CEO Michael Kaufman. In addition to Kaufman, who will...

Rafkin-Sax quits Edelman to be vice chairman at FD.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK: Financial Dynamics (FD) has snagged Edelman's global MD of financial communications, Hollis Rafkin-Sax, to be its new vice chairman of US operations. The move is the latest by UK-based FD to grow its franchise in the US, since...

Former Golin exec Johnson launches new boutique firm.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: Former Golin/ Harris International executive Tim Johnson is a launching his own firm, Stearns Johnson, which will focus on consumer, financial services, hi-tech, and consulting and professional services clients. Johnson was...

NEWS BRIEF: Lemelson-MIT Program selects Cone.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... BOSTON: The Lemelson-MIT Program has selected Cone to provide national and local media relations support for its awards and outreach programs for inventors. Administered by MIT's School of Engineering, the program seeks to raise the stature of...

NEWS BRIEF: Andy Morris signs Source.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK: PR firm Andy Morris & Company has signed The Source Enterprises, initiating a multi-month campaign that will extend the company to a variety of media. The Source Enterprises includes The Source magazine and other media properties.

NEWS BRIEF: Leslie creates practice group.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... GREENVILLE, SC: Leslie Public Relations has created a specialty practice group focusing on strategic media relations for consumer and b-to-b technology. Operating as Leslie Technology Public Relations, the group will be co-headed by director...

NEWS BRIEF: G.S. Schwartz adds accounts.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK: G.S. Schwartz & Co. has added two accounts. Privacy, Inc., a Dallas-based developer of privacy management software solutions, and Soda-Club USA, a NJ-based subsidiary of an Israeli firm that is the world's largest manufacturer of home...

NEWS BRIEF: Greenwell joins Fleishman-Hillard.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... ATLANTA: Mike Greenwell, former director of public affairs and community relations for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's agency for toxic substances and disease registry, has joined Fleishman-Hillard as SVP.

NEWS BRIEF: Fleishman-Hillard creates FH Youth.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... ST. LOUIS: Fleishman-Hillard has created a new practice, FH Youth, to target children and teens. Alan Rambam, a teen and cause-marketing communications expert, has joined Fleishman to lead the new practice as an SVP.

NEWS BRIEF: Franco signs Decorative Coating.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... DETROIT: Franco Public Relations has signed Decorative Coating North America, a business unit of Akzo Nobel, as a new client. Decorative sells wood-care products in North America under the Sikkens and Synteko brands.

NEWS BRIEF: Hayes joins Gartner.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... STAMFORD, CT: Thomas Hayes has joined technology research and analyst firm Gartner as group VP in charge of global PR. Hayes, who was placed at Gartner by Heyman Associates, will report to EVP of corporate development Zachary Morowitz. Before...

NEWS BRIEF: Calpine promotes Highlander.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... SAN JOSE, CA: Power company Calpine has promoted William Highlander from director of PR to VP of PR. While Highlander's responsibilities largely remain the same - overseeing internal and external communications - his scope now extends beyond...

NEWS BRIEF: Mitsubishi Electric promotes Blanchard.(Cayce Blanchard named vice president of corporate communications)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... CYPRESS, CA: Mitsubishi Electric has promoted Cayce Blanchard from director of corporate communications to VP of corporate communications. Blanchard will retain his responsibilities of overseeing external and internal communications. In...

NEWS BRIEF: LaunchSquad signs companies.(wins PR contracts for ThinkEquity, Perquest)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: LaunchSquad has signed two financial services companies for PR services. For investment bank ThinkEquity, LaunchSquad has already publicized its Growth Conference, and is providing ongoing media coverage. And for...

NEWS BRIEF: NEBATA appoints Shift Communications.(New England Business and Technology Association )(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... BOSTON: The New England Business and Technology Association (NEBATA) has appointed Shift Communications as its PR agency of record. NEBATA is an e-business association where business and technology professionals on the East Coast can exchange...

Kowaleski to take over for Harris as GM's comms head.(Tom Kowaleski named head of PR for General Motors)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... DETROIT: Tom Kowaleski, VP of General Motors' North America communications, will become the new head of all GM communications effective January 1. Steve Harris, GM's widely respected VP of communications, has decided to retire at the end...

Omnicom adds to DAS with purchase of stake in Mercury.(Mercury Public Affairs added to Diversified Agency Services)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK: Omnicom Group purchased a majority interest in Mercury Public Affairs (MPA) last week, adding the shop to its Diversified Agency Services (DAS) group. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in 1999 by Kieran...

NBA uses Chinese talent in Asian marketing.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... LOS ANGELES: Capitalizing on growing Asian-American market interest in the NBA's three Chinese players, the league has launched a new campaign targeting that niche demographic. Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets, Wang Zhizhi of the Los Angeles...

Arrests not likely to impact Wal-Mart's rep, say experts.
November 3, 2003... BENTONVILLE, AK: The news that illegal immigrants were found working for a Wal-Mart cleaning contractor could give new ammunition to unions trying to organize Wal-Mart employees, say some PR and crisis experts. 'This is a bullet in the gun...

Publicis moves Rowland under the watch of MS&L.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK: In a shift in oversight within Publicis Groupe, Rowland Communications will soon be under the auspice of fellow Publicis agency MS&L. As a result, Rowland president and CEO Mark Weiss will report to Lou Capozzi, chairman and CEO...

Halliburton's Lesar asks staff to help counter criticism.(presdient Dave Lesar)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... WASHINGTON: Halliburton president Dave Lesar is encouraging his employees to defend the embattled company's reputation by writing letters to the media countering public and congressional criticism. The former employer of Vice President Dick...

Iraqi journalists to get hands-on help from TV vet Rabel.(Ed Rabel)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... BAGHDAD, IRAQ: Veteran television journalist and PR executive Ed Rabel has been in Baghdad helping to train Iraqi journalists as part of the nation's reconstruction. The tour, which comes at the request of the US government, has Rabel...

Alzheimer's group taps Porter Novelli for branding effort.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... CHICAGO: The Alzheimer's Association has appointed Porter Novelli to handle PR for its inaugural branding campaign. Two other Omnicom agencies, Rapp Collins Worldwide and Changing Our World, have also been enlisted for advertising and...

Kodak focusing on image in digital shift.
November 3, 2003... ROCHESTER, NY: Kodak's move to realign its business focus mostly toward high-end digital-printing technology instead of its traditional film business has as much to do with the company's image as it does the company's future. Kodak...

JD Edwards takes in most of PeopleSoft's PR staffers.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... PLEASANTON, CA: PeopleSoft's acquisition of JD Edwards has led to most of the latter company's in-house PR team joining PeopleSoft. However, Victor Chayet, JD Edwards' director of corporate communications, will not join PeopleSoft. Chayet...

Pfizer picks WS to handle US, Europe launches of Inspra.(Weber Shandwick)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK: Pfizer has selected Weber Shandwick to handle PR for the US and European launches of Inspra, a congestive-heart-failure treatment for patients who have had heart attacks in the past. Pitches were also heard from MS&L and Ruder...

PRSA announces plans for restructuring.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... NEW ORLEANS: The PRSA and the PRSA Foundation are restructuring their operations by placing the foundation under the PRSA umbrella, effective January 1, 2004. William Doescher, president of the foundation, and Stephen Shivinsky,...

Holland to take on EVP job in Edelman consumer division.(Michelle Holland named executive vice president of consumer practice)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... CHICAGO: Michelle Holland, a former PR director at Unilever, has joined Edelman as the new EVP of the agency's US consumer practice. Holland will report to Pam Talbot, president and COO of Edelman US, and Mitch Markson, president of...

Viva!USA push forces Whole Foods change.
November 3, 2003... DAVIS, CA: A California-based offshoot of a British group is being credited by animal rights activists with forcing Whole Foods to announce a new policy that encourages humane treatment of animals by its meat suppliers. The group was also...

New Haas Avocado Board brings in Fleishman for consumer push.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... LOS ANGELES: A newly formed California-state board charged with promoting Haas avocados has chosen Fleishman-Hillard to handle its consumer PR. The account is valued at 'nearly dollars 500,000' annually, according to Haas Avocado Board...

F-H hires a trio of local consultants for Portland office.(Fleishman-Hillard, Portland, Oregon)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... PORTLAND, OR: Fleishman-Hillard's Portland office has hired three principals of Lindberg/Kirk/Millar, a local consulting firm, and will handle that agency's client portfolio. Fleishman will now represent clients such as Associated Oregon...

Skyy adds two PR firms to product and branding mix.(Skyy Spirits hires PR & Company, The Rose Group)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: Skyy Spirits, maker of Skyy Vodka and other alcoholic beverages, has tapped PR & Company and The Rose Group to manage its PR. While the two agencies are working together, San Francisco-based PR & Company is managing corporate and...

MA biotechnology group names new director of comms.(Massachusetts Biotechnology Council )(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... CAMBRIDGE, MA: At a time when an increasing number of biotechnology products are coming to market, one of the industry's most prominent trade organizations, the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MBC), has created its first-ever director of...

EDITORIAL: While its offer to help US diplomacy is noble, the PRSA must now focus on industry issues.(Editorial)
November 3, 2003... Industry associations, particularly ones like the PRSA, that strive to represent a broad range of professionals, have a tough job to do. Del Galloway, who takes over as president and CEO in January 2004, says the PRSA will continue focusing on...

OP-ED: Guts will help propel PR pros to the policy-making table.
November 3, 2003... As our industry matures, what still stands in the way of corporate communicators taking their coveted place at the top management policy-making table? In too many instances today, there's one main ingredient still missing that continues to...

ANALYSIS: US Diplomacy Efforts - Can the private sector lead public diplomacy efforts?
November 3, 2003... As marketing and PR pros enter into public diplomacy in earnest, Douglas Quenqua surveys their prospects of significantly altering the US' maligned global image America's public diplomacy experts have been ringing this bell for years....

PAUL HOLMES: PR must focus on its own strengths - not the shortcomings of TV ads - to better sell itself.
November 3, 2003... 'My background is economics,' says Greg Stuart, president of the Interactive Advertising Bureau, 'and I don't understand it. The product goes down, the cost goes up.' Stuart, who is responsible for promoting internet advertising as an...

ORGANIZATION CASE STUDY: DISCUS pours on the PR to protect and promote liquor.
November 3, 2003... The Distilled Spirits Council excels at mixing business with pleasure, yet there's more to protecting the liquor industry than teaching reporters about alcohol. But it's a start. 'You didn't drive here, did you?' It's a question you...

THE AGENCY BUSINESS: Keeping deadbeat clients from draining the life out of your firm.
November 3, 2003... Though not a favorite topic for most in PR, deadbeat clients are a reality of business. Paul Cordasco discovers some of the different tacks firms take to deal with this unseemly, but not uncommon problem Lynda O'Connor's moment of...

MEDIA ROUNDUP: Tabloids continue to attract interest.
November 3, 2003... Though circulation is down, tabloids remain solid PR pitch targets thanks to a still-sizable legion of readers and a contingent of knowledgeable, cooperative editors. Like them or not, you have to give the supermarket tabloids some credit....

JOURNALIST Q&A: Jon Barrett.
November 3, 2003... Name: Jon Barrett Publication: The Advocate Title: Senior News Editor Preferred contact method: jbarrett@advocate.com Website: www.advocate.com Jon Barrett has worked at The Advocate for six years, covering topics from...

MEDIA WATCH: A breach by JetBlue causes turbulence.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... One might think the debate over greater airline security and the need to preserve the privacy of the flying public would have been settled by now. But after turning over passenger names and itineraries to a Pentagon contractor working on an...

MEDIA BRANDS: Baseball playoff coverage places spotlight on mass media's biggest hits and misses.
November 3, 2003... It may seem odd to turn to sports for a lesson on the media, but you needn't look further than the coverage of this year's baseball playoffs to see the good and bad sides of big media, an economic reality constantly vilified by journalists and...

PcROFILE: Karpel thrives in supporting role for showbiz clients.(The Karpel Group, president)(Company Profile)
November 3, 2003... Armed with many contacts, respect for his staff, and a love for PR that he's felt since his youth, Craig Karpel has carved out a unique niche in the entertainment publicity sector. 'I've always known what I wanted to do,' says Craig...

PR TECHNIQUE: NEWSWIRES - Get the smarts: Using multimedia releases.
November 3, 2003... Enhanced, smart; whatever the preferred term, multimedia news releases are here to stay. Sara Calabro finds out how clients are using them Technical advancements in newswire companies' offerings are spicing up the routine process of...

CAMPAIGNS: Subway relies on fan favorites in All-Star comms push.
November 3, 2003... PR Team: Subway Restaurants (Milford, CT) and Schneider & Associates (Boston) Campaign: Subway/MLB All-Star Balloting Time Frame: May 2003 Budget: Under dollars 20,000 Aware that fans pick most of the game's participants, and that...

CAMPAIGNS: Interactive effort helps community treasure its assets.
November 3, 2003... PR Team: WestMarc (Phoenix) and CKPR (Phoenix) Campaign: West Valley Treasures Time Frame: Summer 2003-ongoing Budget: About dollars 25,000 Strategy 'We'd been working with a developer in West Valley, and we'd seen the media's...

THE PUBLICIST: Like the program, 'Queer Eye' PR push has everyone talking.
November 3, 2003... Fans of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy can watch fascinating episodes of terrified hetero men receiving back-hair waxings and shoe-closet makeovers every day on Bravo - and twice on Fridays. Eight gays a week, if you will. And just as the...

PR PLAY OF THE WEEK: Chargers step forward to help San Diego.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... SAN DIEGO: While it's difficult to find positives in a tragedy that has taken 300,000 acres, nearly 650 homes, and 13 lives to date, the devastating wildfires in Southern California are the latest calamity for which the American public has...

TOY BOX: Pen lovers will be addicted to the Vice.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... The Vice, coming to stores this holiday season, is the latest addition to A.T. Cross Company's product line. It is a dual-function pen that can be made pocket-sized by folding in half. When extended, the Vice rotates and locks into a full-sized...

BOOK REVIEW: Media Hypnosis has a certain allure.(Book Review)
November 3, 2003... The media's influence is ubiquitous in every sense of the word. Media Hypnosis seeks to highlight the press' inherent Orwellian powers, which to a certain extent keep the PR industry alive. Early on, Kocina explores the media's 'hypnotizing...

Porter Novelli purchases FischerHealth to broaden medical services.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... NEW YORK: Porter Novelli, in hopes of expanding its base of healthcare clients, particularly in the medical device and diagnostics space, has purchased Los Angeles-based FischerHealth. PN CEO Helen Ostrowski would not disclose the terms of...

Fund industry keeps quiet despite rising media storm.
November 10, 2003... NEW YORK: As the dollars 7 trillion mutual-fund industry faces its largest reputation crisis to date, media relations and PR executives at fund companies remained almost completely quiet last week as their industry, several fund families, and...

Stutzman to head up comms under Schwarzenegger.(California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hires Rob Stutzman to head public relations)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... SACRAMENTO, CA: Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger has appointed Rob Stutzman as his communications director. Schwarzenegger, who won California's governorship in a landmark recall election last month, is expected to take office by...

CEO survey reveals reputation concerns.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... NEW YORK: Eight out of 10 CEOs say they are worried about threats to corporate reputation, according to the results of the PRWeek/Burson-Marsteller 2003 CEO survey. During the past year, CEOs have continued to deal with media scrutiny and...

PRWeek presents special issue for fifth anniversary.
November 10, 2003... NEW YORK: PRWeek will celebrate its 5th anniversary on November 17 with a commemorative issue guest edited by Harold Burson. The regular November 17 issue - including news, analysis, and features - will appear on the magazine's website. Log...

Sitrick to assist New Line's Oscar push for 'The Return'.(Sitrick & Co. hried to promote film in Oscar race)
November 10, 2003... LOS ANGELES: For New Line Cinema, this year's Oscar race is as much about its own image as the quality of the film it is championing, The Return of the King. That may be why it has put together a top notch team of PR experts, including Sitrick...

JIWIRE targets wide audience in PR effort.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: With mobile technology becoming one of the fastest growing tech markets, the time is right for a one-stop resource on all mobile information. And JIWIRE is striving to be just that, a website with everything from mobile news...

GCI forms closer working ties between LA, SF offices.(GCI Group consolidates reporting for Los Angeles, San Francisco, California offices)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO and LOS ANGELES: While maintaining separate offices in the Bay Area and Southern California, GCI Group has brought its two California offices under the same profit and loss statement (P&L) in an entity the firm is calling GCI...

Edelman appoints Moore as its global technology leader.(Rich Moore )(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA: Edelman has named Rich Moore global president of its tech practice. Moore was previously a venture partner with Battery Ventures, advising clients on marketing and communications strategies. Moore is also one of the...

NEWS BRIEF: LaPlaca Cohen hires Joan Cumming as MD.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... NEW YORK: LaPlaca Cohen, a cultural marketing and communications firm, has hired Joan Cumming as MD. Previously, Cumming was the director of marcomms for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.

NEWS BRIEF: Lawscomm adds Dore Achievement Centers to its roster.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... DENVER: Lawscomm, a full-service communications firm, has added Dore Achievement Centers to its client roster. Lawscomm will be responsible for leading the marketing, advertising, media relations, and corporate communications efforts for the...

NEWS BRIEF: The Wrangler Home brand appoints French/West/Vaughan as its AOR.(agency of record)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... GREENSBORO, NC: The Wrangler Home brand has appointed French/West/Vaughan as its AOR. FVW will develop and execute strategic PR initiatives surrounding the launch of Wrangler's new home furnishings enterprise.

NEWS BRIEF: Texas.net hires the Loomis Group.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... AUSTIN, TX: Texas.net, the state's largest business-focused internet service provider, has hired the Loomis Group to spearhead PR efforts for its data-recovery capabilities.

NEWS BRIEF: Ketchum names Linda Dyson as SVP/group manager.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... NEW YORK: Ketchum has named Linda Dyson as SVP/group manager in its healthcare practice. Dyson joins from Signova/Vox Medica, where she served as the pharmaceutical practice leader. She has also held posts at Chandler Chicco Agency and Edelman....

NEWS BRIEF: OutCast Communications adds to its client roster.(Grand Central Communications)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: OutCast Communications has added Grand Central Communications to its client roster, and has also hired four new staff members. Grand Central develops technology to help businesses connect to other corporate networks. As for the...

NEWS BRIEF: Weber Shandwick promotes Tim Fry to SVP.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... BELLEVUE, WA: Weber Shandwick has promoted Tim Fry to SVP, and Wayne Hickey and Michelle Gettle to VPs in its Seattle-area office. Fry is WS' client-relationship leader for its Microsoft account, and is responsible for integrating the agency's...

NEWS BRIEF: BroadWare and WebCohort name their new AOR.(Connecting Point Communications)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: Security technology companies BroadWare and WebCohort have named Connecting Point Communications their new AOR. BroadWare develops network-based digital video-security technology. WebCohort develops web applications and database...

NEWS BRIEF: Card Access selects Child's Play Communications.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... AMERICAN FORK, UT: Card Access has selected Child's Play Communications to promote its Time-Scout Monitor, which helps parents manage and keep track of the amount of time their children spend playing video games, watching television, and using...

NEWS BRIEF: Lane Marketing adds four new clients.(Identity Safeguards, Massini Group, Solberg/Adams LLC and Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... PORTLAND, OR: Lane Marketing has added four new clients: Identity Safeguards, an identity theft and fraud prevention company; sales-force services company Massini Group; telecoms cost-consulting firm Solberg/Adams LLC; and Regence BlueCross...

NEWS BRIEF: Kohnke Communications adds game developers as clients.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: Video-game PR firm Kohnke Communications has added game developers Encore, Dreamcatcher, and Elkware as clients. Kohnke will help promote new games from Encore and Dreamcatcher, For Elkware, Kohnke will provide PR as the company...

NEWS BRIEF: Lois Paul and Partners adds 10 new tech clients.(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... WOBURN, MA: Lois Paul and Partners has added 10 new tech clients over the past few months. Among those are Philips AMS, a division of Philips Electronics that manufactures metal film-thickness measurement tools; Tazz Networks, which develops...

Scrushy turns to the web in his own defense.(Former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy launches website)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... BIRMINGHAM, AL: Former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy - indicted on 85 criminal charges last week in relation to his alleged role in defrauding the company's investors by inflating profits - has launched a website to address the charges and...

Fannie Mae blames sell-off on misstep by wire service.
November 10, 2003... WASHINGTON: Mortgage finance giant Fannie Mae blamed a recent one-day sell-off in its shares on its wire service, Business Wire (BW), after BW disseminated a statement that sent Fannie Mae's shareholders into a mild panic, briefly shaving more...

H&S brings entertainment expertise to Radiate team.(Radiate Group acquires Harrison & Shriftman )(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... BOCA RATON, FL: The Radiate Group, an international network of specialist agencies that operates under Omnicom's Diversified Agency Services (DAS) operating group, has acquired Harrison & Shriftman (H&S), a New York-based publicity shop...

Local truckers turn to MWW to counter huge hikes in tolls.(American Trucking Association)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... WASHINGTON: The American Trucking Association (ATA) has turned to MWW for help in repealing a massive hike in tolls on bridges linking New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The 300% hike was approved under previous administrations in both states....

SBC expands into Midwest markets with famous calls.(SBC Communications )(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... CHICAGO: SBC Communications is stressing low rates and the availability of service package deals in PR efforts supporting new long-distance offerings in five Midwestern states. But the regional phone company also needs to address lingering...

Dutko Group eyes growth after sale to investment firm.(Lake Capitol )(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... WASHINGTON: Public affairs shop The Dutko Group has taken an unusual path to acquisition, bypassing involvement with the major holding companies and entering into an equity agreement with an investment firm. Chicago-based Lake Capitol (LC)...

RNC vows to keep pressuring CBS on its Reagan profile.(Republican National Committee wages campaign to stop airing of Ronald Regan biopic)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... WASHINGTON: The Republican National Committee (RNC) and conservative media critics vowed to continue their campaign against a new Ronald Reagan biography last week despite CBS' decision to air it on a sister cable network. The Reagans, a...