PR Week (US) articles from October 2005

PR Week (US) archives from October 2005

Huntsworth dumps its non-PR holdings as Nichols steps down.
October 3, 2005... LONDON: Huntsworth, the UK-based holding company that merged with Incepta last spring, has sold off all its non-PR holdings in a move designed to refocus the company and bolster its financial position moving forward. The company also...

Dowie adds political refund claims to Fleishman lawsuit.
October 3, 2005... LOS ANGELES: Former Fleishman-Hillard GM Doug Dowie launched another salvo in his wrongful termination suit against the agency last week, claiming he was fired for knowing that Fleishman was reimbursing employees for political contributions, an...

Edelman, Burson land global deals with unified Shell.
October 3, 2005... LONDON: Edelman and Burson-Marsteller have emerged triumphant in two hotly contested agency competitions. Each firm has secured a major piece of global business for the newly unified oil and gas group, Royal Dutch Shell. Edelman will...

PRWeek 2005 CEO Survey delves into corporate PR role.
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK: The 2005 CEO Survey is now taking place. This annual study, sponsored by Burson-Marsteller, aims to discover how corporate leaders are communicating with key stakeholders and how they view the role of PR in their organizations. ...

Chiron takes another swing at flu season.
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK: It isn't quite flu season yet, but this year's messages have already been largely determined - thanks to last year's vaccine shortages and the subsequent requests that healthy people forgo the shot. October 24 will be the first...

Hughes draws criticism for limiting foreign audiences.(Karen Hughes)
October 3, 2005... WASHINGTON: Karen Hughes, the State Department's new undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs, hoped to address what she called 'a generational struggle of ideas' during her trip last week to Muslim countries. The former...

VMS purchases software maker PRtrak.
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK: Video Monitoring Services (VMS) has acquired PRtrak, a company that produces measurement and analysis software. PRtrak was formerly owned by Surveillance Data, which acquired the company in 2002. PRtrak VP Angela Jeffrey will...

Dove views 'Real Beauty' as active voice in market.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK: Dove's 'Real Beauty' campaign has taken the brand from being a 'passive' voice in the marketplace to one that is actively trying to change the way people perceive beauty, according to the marketing team behind the program. The...

Olson scores new comms chief post at Carlson brands.
October 3, 2005... MINNEAPOLIS: Carlson Companies, which counts Radisson Hotels & Resorts and TGI Friday's among its brands, has hired Kim Olson as VP, chief communications officer, the first such position for the company. Most recently, Olson served as...

News brief: Sybase hires Chimene Stewart for new post.
October 3, 2005... DUBLIN, CA: Database management and mobile software company Sybase has hired Chimene Stewart as VP of corporate communications, a new post. Prior to joining Sybase, Stewart was an MD with Spark PR for three months. Before that, she was VP of...

News brief: Siemens names new head of worldwide corporate communications.
October 3, 2005... MUNICH, GERMANY: Siemens has named Janos Gonczol as head of worldwide corporate communications. Prior to joining, Gonczol delved into the private equity business. Before that, he was a member of Weber Shandwick's executive committee, overseeing...

News brief: Cranium appoints new VP of corporate communications.
October 3, 2005... SEATTLE: Cranium, maker of games including its popular namesake, has appointed Heather Snavely to the new position of VP of corporate communications. Snavely joins from Edelman's Seattle office, where she was a VP and group director of consumer...

News brief: PMK/HBH hires new head for London office.
October 3, 2005... LOS ANGELES: PMK/HBH has chosen James Dickinson to head its new London office, the agency's first overseas venture. Dickinson was most recently director of international publicity for Miramax.

News brief: Vivendi Universal Games chooses The Bohle Company.
October 3, 2005... LOS ANGELES: Vivendi Universal Games, a global developer, publisher, and distributor of interactive entertainment, has chosen The Bohle Company to handle the launch program for Sierra's new property, F.E.A.R.

News brief: Zeno Group opens European headquarters.
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK: Zeno Group has opened a European headquarters in London and has appointed Sue Ryan CEO of Zeno Europe.

News brief: Paul Dusseault moves to Atlanta.
October 3, 2005... ATLANTA: Paul Dusseault has moved from Fleishman-Hillard's St. Louis headquarters to the Atlanta office. He will serve as SVP and partner and manage the agency's Kodak, Novelis, and AT&T accounts.

News brief: NBC Universal promotes Cindy Gardner.
October 3, 2005... LOS ANGELES: NBC Universal has promoted Cindy Gardner to SVP of corporate communications. She replaces Susan Fleishman, who left recently to take a post at Warner Bros.

News brief: PG&E hires Nancy McFadden.
October 3, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO: PG&E has hired Nancy McFadden to lead its government relations department. She previously served as senior advisor and deputy chief of staff for former California governor Gray Davis.

News brief: Qorvis Communications hires new director.
October 3, 2005... McLEAN, VA: Qorvis Communications has hired Cara Lombardi as a director. Prior to joining, she served as VP and GM at Market Access International, a federal market research company. She also previously worked at PlanetGov (now Apptis) and...

News brief: Citigate Sard Verbinnen promotes four new MDs.
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK: Citigate Sard Verbinnen has promoted four new MDs: Brandy Bergman, Judy Brennan, Debbie Miller, and Denise DesChenes. Andrew Cole and Jamie Tully have also been promoted as principals.

News brief: PMG names AOR.
October 3, 2005... ROCKVILLE, MD: Potomac Management Group (PMG), a management consultancy that contracts with the Department of Homeland Security, has named RMR & Associates its AOR. RMR will help PMG raise its brand recognition within the federal marketplace.

News brief: French/West/Vaughan chosen for media relations campaign.
October 3, 2005... RALEIGH, NC: French/West/Vaughan has been tapped to execute a media relations campaign for the fall launch of the 'That's So Raven' fragrance line, developed by New York City-based boom! LLC in partnership with Disney.

News brief: Edelman selected by golf association.(Daniel J. Edelman Public Relations Worldwide Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... ATLANTA: Edelman has been selected by the Professional Golf Association of America to generate awareness and usage of two of its core programs targeted toward PGA professionals: PGA Employment Services and the Professional Certification...

Ex-Merck comms chief Doorley runs NYU grad PR offer.
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK: John Doorley, the former head of corporate communications at Merck, has joined New York University (NYU) as academic director of the school's first graduate degree in PR. Thirty-four students are enrolled in NYU's School of...

Google's boycott of CNET ends with quote from its CEO.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA: Google and CNET are apparently back on speaking terms. Google said it had blackballed the technology media company for one year after it made an example of Google CEO Eric Schmidt in an article exploring how easily one...

Sarcasm on ABC News blog earns criticism.
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK: What was meant as a satirical posting by ABC News' political blog, The Note, has drawn criticism from some in the blogosphere for compromising the integrity of the ABC News brand. The posting last Tuesday, September 27, claimed it...

Insurers start touting drug plans to seniors, disabled.
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK: Health insurance companies that have received Medicare approval to offer prescription drug benefits to senior citizens and the disabled can begin marketing their programs this week. The outreach efforts - some of the largest and...

Fannie Mae shifts comms priorities in staff reshuffle.
October 3, 2005... WASHINGTON: Fannie Mae has eliminated 20 public affairs positions in its regional offices and created seven new ones elsewhere in an attempt to place an emphasis on the shift from lobbying operations to business communications. The...

Wal-Mart's hire of Edelman does not imperil other firms.
October 3, 2005... BENTONVILLE, AR: The addition of Edelman to Wal-Mart's roster of PR agencies marks a stronger commitment to reputation management by the retailer, rather than a shift of its former agency assignments. Robert McAdam, Wal-Mart's VP of...

Online Poll.
October 3, 2005... Last week's question: What are your thoughts about The New York Times charging for its online columns? It's a sign that the mainstream media is in jeopardy - 50% Opinions are cheap. They should have considered charging for news - 34%...

'Sporting News' teams with Holiday Inn for brand-building initiative.(Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts )(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK: The Sporting News, which has covered the sports industry for 118 years, has teamed with Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts to develop sports-themed restaurants at 91 Holiday Inn Select locations across the US. Adam London, VP of...

Penati lands post as global tech unit director for Ogilvy.
October 3, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO: Ogilvy PR has named Luca Penati MD of the agency's global technology practice. Penati stepped down as EVP and GM of Edelman's Silicon Valley office in August. Penati replaces Stephen Jones, who left Ogilvy in May, shortly...

Quark latest software firm to put focus on customers.
October 3, 2005... DENVER: Quark, best known for its desktop publishing and graphics software, is the latest software company to launch a branding campaign focused on its customers. Quark is re-establishing its focus on the customer by launching new...

VNU-backed web analysis company buys BuzzMetrics.(Trendem acquires BuzzMetrics)(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... NEW YORK: Trendem, an internet search and linguistics analysis company, has acquired word-of-mouth measurement firm BuzzMetrics. The new company, which is worth approximately dollars 20 million to dollars 25 million, will retain the...

Editorial: Corporations don't do themselves - or PR - any favors by staying mum about their CSR efforts.(Editorial)
October 3, 2005... 'Global business is the most powerful force for progress in the world that humanity has seen,' Simon Walker, director of corporate communications at Reuters, said at the PRWeek global roundtable in July 2004. 'Large companies need to stop...

Op-Ed: Katrina volunteer work shows true value of PR pro's job.
October 3, 2005... On September 11, my colleague Arwen Rahn and I stepped out of our cab into the sweltering Texas heat not knowing what to expect as we stared up at the mammoth Houston Astrodome, housed within the Reliant Park complex. Fleishman-Hillard had...

Analysis: Supreme Court Rulings - Cases before the Supreme Court demand supreme PR.
October 3, 2005... In many cases, a Supreme Court ruling is not the end of the road, but the start for both sides' outreach, giving them a chance to frame the debate. Ask your average high school social studies teacher, and he'll tell you decisions made by...

Analysis: In this age of interactive media, conversing - not controlling - is the key to effective comms.(Column)
October 3, 2005... When I was a columnist for the San Jose Mercury News, I had a 'Dear PR People' web page. I said - and I wasn't being facetious - that I appreciated how difficult PR jobs could be, particularly when dealing with demanding folks like journalists....

Analysis: Corporate Case Study - ESPN gains momentum by turning skeptics into fans.
October 3, 2005... When ESPN launched in 1979, many thought an all-sports network would fail. But by being its own biggest cheerleader - touting its innovations - the network has converted the doubters. From San Francisco to Southeast Asia, ESPN is 'The...

Analysis: The Agency Business - Successful subcontracting deals require trust on all sides.
October 3, 2005... Subcontracting offers benefits for firms, clients, and vendors, but such deals can often be hard to arrange. Anita Chabria discovers tips and tactics that can help alleviate some of the guesswork. Subcontracting is common practice for many...

Media Roundup: Web-based firms move past hype.
October 3, 2005... Web-based businesses are nothing new, so reporters covering them aren't buying into the theatrics used during the early days, resulting in balanced coverage. While the internet revolution is barely into its second decade, there's a certain...

Media: Journalist Q & A - John Soat.
October 3, 2005... Name: John Soat Outlet: The News Show Title: Anchor Preferred contact method: jsoat@cmp.com Website: www.thenewshow.tv PRWeek: What is the editorial mission of The News Show? John Soat: Our intention in launching was twofold:...

Media Watch: Economic woes spur hike in interest rates.
October 3, 2005... The US economy has taken some severe blows over the past several months, as federal deficits have grown, the cost of the Iraq war has climbed, and energy costs have continued to rise. Federal Reserve officials, led by chairman Alan Greenspan,...

Media: Inside the Mix - When done right, internal efforts can inspire employees to share goodwill with customers.
October 3, 2005... Wal-Mart has its greeters - people hired specifically to be the first employees customers see as they enter. It's a fundamental job requirement that these people enjoy their work, and the fact that Wal-Mart seems consistently able to source...

Profile: Croft's contribution to PR is everybody's business.
October 3, 2005... Al Croft has seen PR change on so many fronts. Now, after running his own Sedona, AZ, consultancy for nearly two decades, he's still using that knowledge to help small firms see the big picture. Oh, yeah, the bottom line. Sure, meeting with...

Capital communicators.
October 3, 2005... Leading public affairs for a federal agency is like no other position in PR. Mark Hand profiles five government comms heads. ROBERT JOHNSON, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION At the Department of Transportation...

Market Focus: Food and Beverage - A fresh look.
October 3, 2005... Food makers and marketers develop a healthy outlook. Before the baby boomer generation, diets were the domain of the pampered rich and famous, who could afford to take weeks off to enroll in sanitariums. Healthy cereals, for instance, were...

PR Technique: Satellite Media Tours - Gaining exposure with proper disclosure.(Standard Measurement Techniques )
October 3, 2005... An SMT can be a powerful PR tool, but a strict code of conduct must be adhered to - especially when using a paid spokesperson. Christie Casalino reports. SMTs may be used effectively to gain valuable airtime for a client in a crowded news...

Campaign: Customer Relations - Staples sees the dividend from tie-in with tax season.
October 3, 2005... PR team: Staples (Framingham, MA) and Tilson Communications (Boca Raton, FL) Campaign: Tax Day 2005 Time frame: February to April 15, 2005 Budget: dollars 95,000. Staples, the world's largest office products company, recognized...

Campaign: Charity PR - Sunkist feeds into kids' desire to aid the less fortunate.
October 3, 2005... PR team: Sunkist Growers (Sherman Oaks, CA) and MS&L (Los Angeles) Campaign: Sunkist Take a Stand Lemonade Program Time frame: May to September 2005 Budget: dollars 149,000. With its 'Take a Stand' campaign, Sunkist Growers, one of...

Diary: The publicist.(Ron Colangelo)
October 3, 2005... In victory or defeat, the Jets PR team always acts like a winner. You compete in the country's most demanding market. Your home stadium bears another team's name and is located outside your own state. You're the New York Jets. But despite...

Diary: PR Play of the Week - Controversy spurs Rimmel to gather Moss.
October 3, 2005... We were naturally shocked last month to learn that all 40 pounds of Kate Moss uses cocaine. Or at least we pretended to be for the sake of... well, really, we have no idea why everyone is pretending to be so shocked. It took less than a...

Diary: Toy Box - HP's new tablet won't turn your head.
October 3, 2005... There will be a day in the future when your phone will also be your toaster and car, and you will look strangely back at the days of multiple devices performing individual tasks. Until then, however, business professionals have to pick and...

Diary: Book Review - 'Handbook' doesn't hold much value.
October 3, 2005... There are more than 1.2 million nonprofits in the US and, Art Feinglass notes, 'all need good PR.' His new handbook serves as a primer on basic PR skills, but does little to offer experienced pros with an understanding of nonprofits' specific...

Diary: PRWeek Clip book.(Brief Article)
October 3, 2005... ONE YEAR AGO Siebel Systems defends itself on First Amendment grounds against a charge of violating Regulation Fair Disclosure APCO Worldwide completes a management buyout from Grey Global, making it a majority employee-owned company...

Belsito & Co. closes as leaders feud; firm to operate under new name.(Belsito Healthcare Communications)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2005... NEW YORK: Medical communications agency Belsito & Co. is closing its doors amid a bitter dispute between CEO Marybeth Belsito and former president William Daddi. Beginning this week, Belsito will operate under the name Belsito Healthcare...

The Gap hunts for US AOR to move forward from fashion.
October 10, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO: Clothing retailer The Gap has launched a US AOR search to help the ubiquitous brand move beyond its fashion focus. The review only involves The Gap, and not parent company Gap Inc., nor its sister brands, which include Old...

Long-awaited IPG results show that PR is a bright spot.
October 10, 2005... NEW YORK: The Interpublic Group's many-times-delayed September 30 financial reports indicate that PR remains a relatively positive sector for the beleaguered holding company. The Constituent Management Group (CMG), the IPG division that...

Rendon starts dollars 6.4m Iraqi comms work.(Rendon Group)(Brief Article)
October 10, 2005... WASHINGTON: The Rendon Group has begun work on its first ground-level communications account in Iraq, a one-year Pentagon contract totaling dollars 6.4 million, awarded on September 25. As part of the contract, Rendon will perform...

PRWeek kicks off its 2006 Student of the Year search.
October 10, 2005... NEW YORK: The search has begun for PRWeek's 2006 Student of the Year. The competition, sponsored by Weber Shandwick, is asking students to devise a campaign for Royal Caribbean. A shortlist will be announced early next year, and the...

Lego taps 360 for branding initiative targeting parents.
October 10, 2005... ENFIELD, CT: Facing greater competition for children's time in the digital age, Lego Systems has tapped 360 PR to manage brand PR. Lego Systems is the Denmark company's US division. The assignment is for one year, although the relationship...

Software provider Vocus files for an IPO.
October 10, 2005... LANHAM, MD: Vocus, an on-demand PR software provider, has filed for an IPO of its common stock. The initial prospectus, filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, details the company's objective and relevance in the marketplace. ...

Storm donations give Lee fundraiser run for money.
October 10, 2005... KANSAS CITY, MO: With Americans focused on contributing money to assist victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, organizers of Lee National Denim Day were struggling last week to reach their goal of raising dollars 10 million on the 10th...

General Mills lifts 12-year exec into job as PR director.
October 10, 2005... LOS ANGELES: General Mills has named a longtime marketing executive as its new director of brand PR. Greg Zimprich, who has been with General Mills for 12 years, will now oversee all PR activities for the company's 200-plus brands, which...

News Brief: Appointment at Weinstein Co.
October 10, 2005... LOS ANGELES: The Weinstein Co. has hired former senior Columbia publicity executive Liz Biber as SVP. Biber most recently worked with 20th Century Fox and Regency Enterprises on the release of Little Manhattan and during production on Just My...

News Brief: Major League Soccer selects Cooksey Communications.
October 10, 2005... NEW YORK: Major League Soccer has selected Cooksey Communications to lead local and regional PR efforts for MLS Cup 2005, the league's championship game.

News Brief: Appointment at MWW Group.
October 10, 2005... EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ: MWW Group has hired Denise Vitola as VP and director of its sports marketing practice. She'll also work with the consumer lifestyle marketing group. Vitola joins from Kaplow Communications, where she served as VP, working...

News Brief: Patrice Tanaka & Co. awarded a six-figure contract.
October 10, 2005... NEW YORK: Patrice Tanaka & Co. has been awarded a six-figure contract to launch a line of consumer home appliances from AeroGrow International.

News Brief: Appointment at GolinHarris.
October 10, 2005... CHICAGO: GolinHarris has named Jean Gonsoulin as an LA-based SVP responsible for its LA and San Francisco corporate practice. Gonsoulin previously worked with the firm in a consulting capacity. Before that, she served as VP of corporate...

News Brief: Appointment at Sports Illustrated.
October 10, 2005... NEW YORK: Sports Illustrated has named Rick McCabe as director of communications. He will direct all editorial and business publicity efforts for the weekly title, as well as oversee PR and media relations surrounding the magazine's TV...

News Brief: M&R Strategic Services opens offices in Chicago and Seattle.
October 10, 2005... WASHINGTON: M&R Strategic Services has opened offices in Chicago and Seattle. Chicago clients include the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Seattle clients include the National Parks Conservation Association.

News Brief: 5W Public Relations adds Steve & Barry's University Sportswear to its client list.
October 10, 2005... NEW YORK: 5W Public Relations has added Steve & Barry's University Sportswear to its client list. The agency will provide media relations for the brand and support for its New York City grand opening on October 25.

News Brief: Antenna Group adds six clients to its new industrials practice.
October 10, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO: Antenna Group has added six clients to its new industrials practice: Ecology Coatings, the Foresight Nanotech Institute, HelioVolt, NanoDynamics, Renewable Ventures, and SiGNa Chemistry.

News Brief: Appointment at Creative Partners.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2005... STAMFORD, CT: Creative Partners has promoted Deborah Burns to SVP and head of the newly created consumer PR division. Before joining in 2002, Burns spent more than a decade in the PR division of Earle Palmer Brown, where she managed an internal...

News Brief: Topaz Partners signs The Scuderi Group.
October 10, 2005... MALDEN, MA: Topaz Partners has signed The Scuderi Group, a manufacturer of automobile engines.

News Brief: Connect Public Relations have been selected.
October 10, 2005... PROVO, UT: Connect Public Relations has been selected to provide strategic media and analyst relations counsel for five technology companies: Avidian Technologies, ClickFox, GT Software, Oversight Technologies, and Trusted Network Technologies....

News Brief: Calysto Communications signs with LineSider Communications.
October 10, 2005... ATLANTA: Calysto Communications has signed with LineSider Communications, a provider of managing secured voice and data services over IP, to help boost LineSider's profile at the VON 2005 Conference and Expo.

News Brief: Appointmeny at Sawchuk, Brown Associates.
October 10, 2005... ALBANY, NY: Sawchuk, Brown Associates has promoted Sean Casey to SVP. Before joining, Casey served as chief of staff to the Rensselaer County Legislature Democratic Caucus, and he is the former town supervisor of the town of Hoosick, where he...

News Brief: Child's Play Communications signs with K'NEX Industries.
October 10, 2005... NEW YORK: Child's Play Communications has signed with K'NEX Industries, a manufacturer of construction systems for children. - For more briefs, see PRWeek.com.

IMAX hires Atomic to tout moviegoer pleasure to press.
October 10, 2005... NEW YORK: IMAX, which develops the projection and sound technology for more than 250 giant-screen IMAX movie theaters, has selected Atomic Public Relations to handle its consumer account. More and more moviegoers are attending mainstream...

State Department report undermines value of diplomacy.
October 10, 2005... WASHINGTON: The US government must practice effective cultural diplomacy if it is to reverse the global erosion of trust that has occurred since the 2003 US-led Iraq invasion, according to a new report from the State Department's Advisory...

NHL taps Fleishman to media train teams.
October 10, 2005... NEW YORK: The National Hockey League has hired Fleishman-Hillard to provide media training for its 30 teams. 'We felt that, coming off a lost season, it was important to have media training for the clubs and players,' said Bernadette...

GAO report leads senators to seek return of DoE funds.(Government Accountability Office)(Department of Education given contract to Ketchum and Armstrong Williams)(No Child Left Behind Act of 2001)
October 10, 2005... WASHINGTON: A long-awaited report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has ruled that the Department of Education's (DoE) contract with Ketchum and Armstrong Williams to promote the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law resulted in covert...

Critical article gives Farm Aid chance to clarify work.(Brief Article)
October 10, 2005... CHICAGO: Farm Aid was on the receiving end of some negative exposure when the Chicago Tribune published an article on September 17 that scrutinized the charitable organization's level of financial donations to family farmers. But the...