PR Week (US) articles from September 2005

PR Week (US) archives from September 2005

NHL taps group of firms in push to win back fans as season nears.
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK: The National Hockey League has hired a small cadre of communications firms to help court fans following the pre-empted 2004-05 season. CarryOn Communications will handle strategic brand and consumer PR. Rogers & Cowan will handle...

Bank of America awards its dollars 60m account to Omnicom.
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK: Omnicom Group won Bank of America's massive marketing services account last week following a competitive pitch between Omnicom, WPP Group, and incumbent Interpublic Group. Omnicom has not yet determined how it will handle the...

Intel set to launch firm search, eyes PR consolidation.
September 5, 2005... SANTA CLARA, CA: Semiconductor giant Intel is about to begin a global agency search that will consolidate the number of firms that work with the company. Intel declined to discuss which agencies - and how many - it works with now, or how...

Comms woes intensify Katrina impact.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... WASHINGTON: Relief efforts remained in disarray several days after Hurricane Katrina came ashore as government agencies and private groups faced severe communications problems due to regional utility disruptions. The American Red Cross...

PRWeek webcast to present Dove's Real Beauty team.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK: PRWeek will present the team behind Dove's Real Beauty campaign on an audio webcast later this month. Unilever has enjoyed huge success with its Dove brand campaign, which focuses on highlighting the virtues of 'real' women...

Gap rolls out new women's brand with 'intimate' effort.
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK and CHICAGO: Clothing retailer Gap Inc. is debuting its highly anticipated fourth brand - Forth & Towne - with a strong marketing and PR push. Forth & Towne, which joins other company brands The Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy,...

Burson, Helios run Russian Olympic bid.(Burson-Marsteller, Helios Partners )(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... BRUSSELS: Burson-Marsteller and Helios Partners have been named the joint PR and marketing team for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games bid. The Russian city's bid will stress the fact that, despite Russia's Olympic prowess, the country has...

'New York' boosts ad push through ties to city events.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK: New York is supporting an ambitious new ad campaign - its first in eight years - with both traditional media outreach and guerrilla marketing. The ad campaign centers on a series of frequently updated posters featuring the...

Dan Klores movie unit chief takes on Weinstein EVP job.
September 5, 2005... LOS ANGELES: Weinstein Co., the post-Miramax endeavor of film moguls Bob and Harvey Weinstein, has hired a top Dan Klores Communications executive to head its publicity department. Liza Burnett takes the title of EVP of publicity and will...

News brief: Jon Riffel a retired PR executive has died.(Obituary)
September 5, 2005... SANTA MONICA, CA: Jon Riffel, 1971 president of the Public Relations Society of America and founder of the organization's student society, PRSSA, died August 24 at Santa Monica (CA) Hospital. Riffel, a retired PR executive with the Southern...

News brief: Jim Beam Brands Worldwide appoints Chris Swonger.
September 5, 2005... LINCOLNSHIRE, IL: Jim Beam Brands Worldwide has appointed Chris Swonger as SVP of corporate affairs. Swonger, who will promote and represent the company's global interests on all public policy and industry trade-relations matters, joins from...

News brief: The Integer Group names VP.
September 5, 2005... DES MOINES, IA: The Integer Group has named Nancy Hood as VP, director of PR. Hood was previously VP of GCI Group in Atlanta.

News brief: Nokia selects Access Communications.
September 5, 2005... IRVING, TX: Nokia has selected Access Communications to promote its SNAP mobile service. The service will create an online community for people who play video games on mobile devices. SNAP, which Nokia will sell to wireless and mobile service...

News brief: Michael Diamond joins Edelman's.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA: Michael Diamond has joined Edelman's Silicon Valley office as an SVP, leading its newly formed corporate and public affairs group. He joins from Blanc & Otus, where he was a VP. Before B&O, Diamond was communications director...

News brief: Greg Dvorken joins FitzGerald Communications.
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK: Greg Dvorken has joined FitzGerald Communications as an SVP and GM of the agency's New York office. Previously, Dvorken ran his own PR and communications consultancy, Greg Dvorken Communications. He has also been director of corporate...

News brief: Marcy Dockery joins Burson-Marsteller.
September 5, 2005... CHICAGO: Marcy Dockery has joined Burson-Marsteller as a director in its US tech practice. Reporting to global tech practice chairwoman Jennifer Graham, Dockery will manage the CDW and SRI International accounts. Dockery was previously a PR...

News brief: E-HealthInsurance chooses Robertson Schwartz Agency.
September 5, 2005... MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA: E-HealthInsurance has chosen the Robertson Schwartz Agency to provide PR and marketing services. The company provides health insurance for individuals, families, and small businesses.

News brief: Abacus hires Ogilvy PR.
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK: Abacus, the data solutions division of DoubleClick, has hired Ogilvy PR as its agency. Ogilvy will promote the expanded services of the division, which provides data management and analytical services for direct marketers.

News brief: Ezboard picks Citigate Cunningham.
September 5, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO: Ezboard has picked Citigate Cunningham as its new agency. The company runs an online community network, allowing people with similar interests to connect online.

News brief: WithumSmith & Brown retains Keating & Co.
September 5, 2005... FLORHAM PARK, NJ: WithumSmith & Brown Global Assurance, which provides Sarbanes-Oxley and other compliance-related services, has retained Keating & Co., a strategic communications firm.

News brief: Schwartz Communications signs eight clients.
September 5, 2005... WALTHAM, MA: Schwartz Communications has signed eight clients in the technology, medical technology, and biotech markets. Schwartz's Boston office will manage accounts for Layton Technology, Nanosphere, and Spryance, while the San Francisco...

Egnal scores post as Edelman's San Francisco EVP, GM.(Warren Egnal appointed)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO: Edelman has appointed Warren Egnal as EVP and GM of its San Francisco office. Egnal replaces Nicole Russell Didda, who left the agency in February to join change management firm Mercer Delta Consulting as a partner. ...

Dan Klores directs press for Clooney-backed NV resort.
September 5, 2005... LAS VEGAS: Dan Klores Communications (DKC) is handling the rollout campaign and media strategy for Las Ramblas, a hype-worthy new resort whose investors include actor George Clooney. In an e-mail interview, DKC SVP Juliet Horn said the...

Contraceptive delay opens door to debate.
September 5, 2005... WASHINGTON: Advocates on both sides of the morning-after pill debate have launched aggressive grassroots and media efforts now that the Food and Drug Administration is seeking more public input before making a decision about over-the-counter...

Pentagon Memorial Fund names Weber Merritt AOR.
September 5, 2005... WASHINGTON: The Pentagon Memorial Fund has tapped Weber Merritt Strategies (WMS) as its AOR following a five-way competition. The other four firms were not disclosed. The fund, a private, nonprofit organization created in 2002 by family...

Activists warn Latinos of military's student access.
September 5, 2005... LOS ANGELES: As the US military ramps up recruitment efforts in high schools, a coalition of Latino groups is launching a national campaign to ensure kids and parents know their rights. 'In the Vietnam era, the Pentagon targeted Chicanos,...

H&K taps Murphy to lead corporate comms unit in US.(Hill and Knowlton Inc. appoints Sean Murphy )(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... CHICAGO: Hill & Knowlton has appointed Sean Murphy SVP in charge of the agency's corporate communications practice in the US. The position had been vacant since March, when Harlan Teller, president of H&K's global corporate practice, and...

Breaking stories on prweek.com.
September 5, 2005... Q&A: Hayes Roth - VP, worldwide marketing, for Landor Associates talks about the evolution of branding CNBC hires new VP of PR - Kevin Goldman replaces Amy Zelvin, the new VP of comms for NBC Digital Media Free credit report ops - The...

Rubio's restaurants hires Blaze to up image in West.
September 5, 2005... LOS ANGELES: Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill has tapped LA-based boutique The Blaze Co. to help it raise its profile on the West Coast and increase brand definition. The San Diego-based chain currently has outlets in six states - California,...

Ruder Finn to help golf star Norman unveil CA wine line.
September 5, 2005... LOS ANGELES: Australian golfing legend Greg Norman has chosen Ruder Finn to help launch a new line of California wines. A joint enterprise between Australia-based Greg Norman Estates and Napa, CA-based Fosters Wine Estates, the new bottles...

Morris aids Pilot Pen with letter initiative.
September 5, 2005... WASHINGTON: Pilot Pen of America is working with Andy Morris & Co. to promote 'The World's Longest Letter,' a campaign designed to get elementary school students interested in national affairs and excited about writing. A half-mile-long...

Oil industry press calls rise with gas costs.
September 5, 2005... WASHINGTON: The surge in gas prices this summer has kept the oil industry and consumer groups busy explaining to reporters and the public the myriad factors that determine what motorists pay at the pump. Hurricane Katrina's rampage through...

Turner teams with Access to tout its video-game offer.
September 5, 2005... ATLANTA: Turner Broadcasting System, the media company behind the Cartoon Network and TNT, has tapped San Francisco-based Access Communications to help publicize its first foray into video games. In October, Turner will debut GameTap, an...

Sony places bets on LCD with new brand.
September 5, 2005... SAN DIEGO: With flat-screen televisions promising to be one of this holiday season's hot items, Sony is unveiling a new brand dedicated solely to high-definition LCD sets. The new brand, Bravia, amounts to Sony putting a stake in the...

Akamai launches free report on use of news websites.
September 5, 2005... CAMBRIDGE, MA: Akamai Technologies has unveiled its Akamai Net Usage Index for News, a report updated every five minutes with information on how people consume news online. The service is free to the public and has been widely written about...

United Methodist Church works with Dittus to win attention for ads.(Dittus Communications)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... NASHVILLE, TN: The United Methodist Church (UMC) is working with Dittus Communications to wage an earned media campaign designed to draw attention to its upcoming dollars 2 million advertising push. The ad campaign, slated to run through...

New Black PR Wire unit to serve as a multimedia outlet.
September 5, 2005... MIAMI: Black PR Wire has unveiled a separate division designed as a multimedia outlet for black news, sports, entertainment, and public affairs. Black Digital Network (BDN) is a website that includes print information, as well as on-demand...

NC legislators heed call to beef up lax lobbying laws.(North Carolina)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... RALEIGH, NC: A coalition of political groups and one North Carolina PR agency have convinced state lawmakers to toughen some of the weakest lobbying laws in the nation. The legislation, which passed August 24, requires monthly reports of...

Warschawski set to assist hair-care firm with relaunch.
September 5, 2005... BALTIMORE: KMS, a provider of salon hair-care products, has selected Warschawski Public Relations to help with branding, marketing, and media relations work surrounding a corporate rebranding and new product launch. 'KMS was a strong brand...

Foreign-exchange firm taps McEnroe spokesman for b-to-b push.(Travelex Corporate Foreign Exchange)(John McEnroe)(Brief article)
September 5, 2005... NEW YORK: Travelex, a London-based foreign-exchange company, has begun a major integrated campaign in the Americas featuring John McEnroe as its spokesman. Planned spending on marketing, advertising, and PR is dollars 10 million to dollars...

Auburn professor offering blog host to students, pros.
September 5, 2005... AUBURN, AL: Auburn University PR professor Robert French has created PRBlogs.org, a service offering free blog hosting to PR instructors, students, and pros. The service already has 40 bloggers, most of whom are students at Auburn. ...

RI groups team up to give city revamp larger context.(Rhode Island)
September 5, 2005... PROVIDENCE, RI: It's not easy to get journalists from across the country to spend a day or two touring your city. So to punch up their pitches, several Providence groups are coordinating efforts to promote the city's downtown...

Hill & Knowlton to help draw visitors to US-Arab forum.
September 5, 2005... HOUSTON: Organizers of the US-Arab Economic Forum have selected Hill & Knowlton to boost attendance and registration at the second such event promoting closer business ties between the US and Arab world. Mike Breslin, GM of H&K Houston,...

Editorial: Wal-Mart's hip marketing may be in vogue, but its image makeover will be a tough sell.
September 5, 2005... Wakeupwalmart.com has an eye-catching feature, a running counter of the alleged cost of Wal-Mart's policies to federal taxpayers. That burden adds up to some dollars 87 a day according to the activist website, which explains, 'By paying...

Op-Ed: Expertise in vertical industries necessary for tech pros.
September 5, 2005... 'Tech Co.'s dismal results point to slowing corporate buying,' read a recent Wall Street Journal headline - just the latest of several articles that describe a new era in technology marketing. After years of increasing tech investment, CIOs,...

Analysis: Military Base Closings - Cities tell better stories to keep military bases open.
September 5, 2005... When the government announces plans to close a military base, local politicians rush out in opposition. And each time, their comms grow more intricate. Since the end of the Cold War, most people have agreed that America has too many...

Paul Holmes: Controversy is an acceptable by-product for a company that stays true to its core values.
September 5, 2005... Years ago, Benetton came under fire from victims' rights groups and conservative media for an advertising campaign that featured interviews with death-row inmates. The designer responded to critics by insisting that it would stick to its guns....

Analysis: Organization Case Study - FMCS boosts its reputation through success stories.(Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service)
September 5, 2005... The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service has helped resolve some major labor disputes, but you probably haven't heard of it. With aggressive PR, the group seeks to change that. 'We're from the government, and we want to help.' You've...

Analysis: The Agency Business - Warming new clients to the idea of touting your relationship.
September 5, 2005... Receiving permission from new clients to announce account wins to the media can be tricky for agencies. But by being straightforward, firms can convince clients of the benefits. Announcing new business is a basic way to market a PR firm,...

Inside the mix.
September 5, 2005... Age-appropriate marketing toward teenage girls another positive step for 'real women'. Much has been written - this column included - about the better-late-than-never phenomenon of 'real women,' showing that beauty exists in every shape,...

Media Roundup: Adults living at home prime targets.
September 5, 2005... While living with one's parents is not an attractive lifestyle for adults, marketers are realizing that these boomerang kids could be a fruitful consumer base. After years of stories aimed at helping parents adjust after their children...

Media: Journalist Q & A - Dan Walters.
September 5, 2005... Outlet: The Sacramento Bee Title: Political columnist Preferred contact method: dwalters@sacbee.com Website: www.sacbee.com PRWeek: Schwarzenegger's approval ratings have tumbled from 69% favorable a year ago to 38% today. What...

Media: Media Watch - Christians balk at Robertson's views.
September 5, 2005... The US media urged the White House to issue a stronger condemnation of the Rev. Pat Robertson's remarks on August 23's The 700 Club, calling for the assassination of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. Christian moderates emphasized that...

Profile: Jordan keeps his team on the pulse of J&J's comms.
September 5, 2005... As head of communications at Johnson & Johnson, Raymond Jordan has a hand in many parts of the business and makes sure he and his staff have a positive impact on all stakeholders. At Johnson & Johnson, 300 people share responsibility for...

Safeguarding reputation.(LexisNexis Group)
September 5, 2005... A recent spate of customer-data leaks is creating a new kind of crisis communication. John N. Frank reports. August 4, 2005, was a significant day for the PR team at LexisNexis. After months of unremitting media attention, that summer day...

Regional Focus Western & Plains states - The middle ground.
September 5, 2005... In the heartland, corporate defections haven't hurt the PR scene. The St. Louis and Kansas City, MO, metropolitan regions - and other population centers in the heartland - tend to lag behind the front edge of the nation's business curves....

PR technique online influencers - Managing the new breed of influencers.
September 5, 2005... When bloggers talk about your company, knowing how to respond - if at all - is key. Andrew Gordon discusses ways to deal with this growing crop of citizen journalists. When Peerflix cofounder Billy McNair came across a blog with a...

Campaigns: Event PR - Cleveland tourism scores big hit with CMJ Music Festival.
September 5, 2005... PR team: Convention & Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Marcus Thomas (all Cleveland) Campaign: CMJ/Rock Hall Music Fest Time frame: May to June 2005 Budget: dollars 115,000 The phone number on...

Campaigns: Business Development - Thai export group sells US buyers on its nation's wares.
September 5, 2005... PR team: Thailand Department of Export Promotion and Hill & Knowlton (Irvine, CA) Campaign: The Thailand Exhibition 2005 Time frame: March to June 2005 Budget: dollars 233,000 The Thailand Exhibition, a large trade show of Thai-made...

Campaigns: Product PR - Fortex wins press' ear for Musiwave's unveiling in the US.
September 5, 2005... PR team: Musiwave (Paris) and Fortex Group (New York), in partnership with Ballou PR (Paris) Campaign: Introduction and Business Development in the North American Market Time frame: October 2004 to present (ongoing) Budget: About...

The Publicist: 'The Da Vinci Code' is destined to produce angst for Columbia.
September 5, 2005... Every May, film publicists like me gush about how great the upcoming summer movies are going to be. 'Not like last year,' we assure wary filmgoers. 'This time you'll love them, we're certain.' Yet, by early September, we inevitably end...

PR Play of the Week - Fletcher may not get by helping his friends.
September 5, 2005... Gerald Ford was nearly eaten alive by the press when, not even a month into his presidency, he pardoned Richard Nixon for any crimes he may have committed in office. At the time, the move reeked of corruption, cronyism, and the shameless abuse...

Toy Box: Nintendo DS adds nice touch to gaming.
September 5, 2005... When my son was little, Game Boy was a life-saver on long car and plane trips. I used to play with it myself after he went to sleep, in fact. Hand-held gaming units have evolved, and multiplied, since the old Game Boy days. The space is a...

Book Review: PR pros will 'Get It' by reading this book.
September 5, 2005... Title They Just Don't Get It! Authors Leslie Yerkes and Randy Martin Publisher Berrett-Koehler Publishers (June 2005), 137 pages Reviewed by Telisha Bryan A few weeks ago, I was embroiled in a painful conversation with an agency...

Motorola jump-starts efforts for iTunes-equipped mobile phone.
September 12, 2005... SCHAUMBURG, IL: Motorola unveiled its iTunes-equipped mobile phone last week, kicking off a massive campaign to tout the highly anticipated device. The new Motorola ROKR was launched jointly by Apple, Cingular, and Motorola. The phone...

Houston officials struggle with post-Katrina outreach.
September 12, 2005... HOUSTON: As emergency officials complete the final evacuation of New Orleans, authorities in Houston, which has taken in tens of thousands of evacuees, are facing their own communications challenges. Phil Morabito, CEO of Houston-based...

In hurricane's wake, New Orleans-based press relations still chaotic.
September 12, 2005... NEW ORLEANS: The media's blistering criticism of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the lethargic response to Hurricane Katrina extended to its media relations work last week. Journalists on the ground in New Orleans...

MasterCard hires FD for comms aid as IPO draws near.
September 12, 2005... PURCHASE, NY: MasterCard has turned to Financial Dynamics for communications help as the second-largest credit-card corporation makes its transition to a publicly traded company. Sharon Gamsin, MasterCard VP of global communications,...

McAfee splits with Porter Novelli, teams up with Red.
September 12, 2005... SANTA CLARA, CA: McAfee and Porter Novelli are parting ways after seven years together. PN had worked with the dollars 940 million security software company in North America, but has now thrown that work to Red Consultancy. McAfee has...

Former MGM executive Keen joins I D PR.
September 12, 2005... LOS ANGELES: Personal publicity boutique I/D PR has hired former MGM executive Adam Keen to help it build a 'more formalized and concentrated' corporate practice, said agency principal Kelly Bush. The majority of Hollywood's celebrity PR...

'Wall Street Journal' set to unveil its weekend outlet.
September 12, 2005... NEW YORK: After more than a year in development, The Wall Street Journal's Weekend Edition will launch on Saturday, September 17, with a circulation of 1.7 million. Weekend Edition comprises three sections: a compilation of important news,...

Dallos moves into EVP post at Freud Comms' US outfit.
September 12, 2005... NEW YORK: Former director of corporate communications for Wenner Media Lisa Dallos has been appointed EVP of the US affiliate of UK-based Freud Communications. Dallos said she would be putting her previous experience to good use, as Freud...

News Brief: Murphy appointed.(Darren Murphy)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2005... LONDON: Darren Murphy, former special adviser to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, has joined APCO Worldwide as a director in its London office. Murphy previously worked at 10 Downing Street as assistant political secretary and then special...

News Brief: Copernik appointed.
September 12, 2005... NEW YORK: Burson-Marsteller has hired Perla Copernik as director in its US healthcare practice. Before joining Burson, Copernik was a global PR director for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

News Brief: MS&L hires McKimm.
September 12, 2005... TORONTO: MS&L has hired Martha McKimm as a VP in the consumer and consumer-wellness groups of the agency's Toronto office, where she will work with nearly 15 Procter & Gamble brands. Most recently, McKimm served as an account director at Weber...

News Brief: Milwaukee Brewers additions.
September 12, 2005... MILWAUKEE: The Milwaukee Brewers have made two additions to their communications team: Tom Hecht, who previously served as director of corporate sales for the NBA's Phoenix Suns, joins as VP of corporate marketing. Tyler Barnes, former EVP and...

News Brief: Arenas promotes.
September 12, 2005... BEVERLY HILLS, CA: Arenas Entertainment, a Latino film-marketing and entertainment company, has promoted Elizabeth Barrutia from SVP of media to EVP of marketing and media, placing her as second in command at the company. In addition to her...

News Brief: Edelman adds.
September 12, 2005... LOS ANGELES: Edelman has added the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Genitope Corp., Ikaria, and Tercica to its life sciences practice. Lorie Fiber has been named EVP and director of US development, life sciences, a new position...

News Brief: Highlander retires.
September 12, 2005... SAN JOSE, CA: Bill Highlander has retired from Calpine as VP of PR. Highlander joined the energy company in 1999. During his more than 30-year career, he also worked for FMC Defense Systems/United Defense and the Pentagon. Calpine is currently...

News Brief: VSC retained.
September 12, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO: Swipe USA has retained VSC Public Relations as its AOR. Swipe develops ATMs, internet kiosks, and related services. VSC will focus on media relations, e-mail marketing, conference management, market research, and brand...

News Brief: Landsberg responsibilities.
September 12, 2005... CHICAGO: Marc Landsberg, president of Arc Worldwide, has assumed full leadership responsibilities for the marketing services company. In addition, Andrew Edwards, MD of Leo Burnett Sydney (which is owned by Arc Worldwide's parent company,...

News Brief: Washington Women website.
September 12, 2005... WASHINGTON: Washington Women in Public Relations has launched a newly designed website that includes a press room, secure online membership sign-up, and a members-only page with a member directory for networking. The new website - www.wwpr.org...

News Brief: Weber Shandwick appoints.
September 12, 2005... SINGAPORE: Weber Shandwick has appointed Baxter Jolly MD of its Singapore office. Before joining the firm, Jolly was MD for Singapore at GolinHarris, a sister agency of WS.

News Brief: Connect adds clients.
September 12, 2005... PROVO, UT: Connect Public Relations has added six new technology clients, including MontaVista Software, which provides the open-source Linux operating system, and Linux Networx, which provides computers built from connected Linux servers....