PR Week (US) articles from September 2008

PR Week (US) archives from September 2008

Coalition aids FCC in consumer outreach for digital TV transition.
September 1, 2008... WASHINGTON: A broad coalition of nonprofits, media organizations, and corporations, in conjunction with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), are increasing consumer outreach for the national broadcasting switch to digital TV next year....

Welch's taps Tonic as North America AOR.
September 1, 2008... CONCORD, MA: Welch Foods (Welch's) recently chose Tonic PR as its AOR for North America. The New York office of UK-based Tonic, which is already Welch's AOR in the UK, will lead the effort. The one-year contract was awarded after a...

AMO scores IMF contract.(International Monetary Fund)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) selected global financial communications network AMO for outreach in Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Last week, PRWeek reported that the IMF chose Hill & Knowlton for Middle East and Asia...

Xbox, ASA team up on anti-smoking campaign.
September 1, 2008... LOS ANGELES: Microsoft's Xbox is increasing its outreach to high school students through an action sports and cause-marketing effort. The Xbox 360 Anti-Gravity Tour in support of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids will visit high schools across...

Transitions awareness push gets a boost from golf tours.
September 1, 2008... PINELLAS PARK, FL: Transitions Optical launched a new consumer education campaign to tie in good eyesight and good golf. The eyewear company also just signed a four-year marketing deal to be the official eyewear brand for the Professional...

Karen Clark & Co select BackBay Communications.
September 1, 2008... BOSTON: Karen Clark & Company, a provider of catastrophe risk management services, selected BackBay Communications as its AOR

Huntsworth reports increase in PR revenue.(Financial report)
September 1, 2008... LONDON: Huntsworth reported a 3.4% increase in PR revenue for the first half of 2008 on a like-by-like basis, which excludes effects of currency movements, compared with the year-ago period. For the six months ending June 30, 2008, PR revenue,...

Red Cross hires The Bravo Group.(International Committee of the Red Cross)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... CHICAGO: The Red Cross hired The Bravo Group for an awareness campaign reaching Chicago's Hispanic community. 'Mismas Necesidades Misma Cruz' ('Same Necessities, Same 'Red' Cross') will run from August 2008 to January 2009 and will include...

City Harvest hires Rubenstein PR.
September 1, 2008... NEW YORK: City Harvest, a nonprofit that delivers food to hungry New Yorkers, hired Rubenstein PR. The agency will handle PR for City Harvest's annual events, including Focus: an Auction of the Finest Photography to Benefit City Harvest, the...

Treskoi sign new clients.
September 1, 2008... MIAMI: Treskoi PR signed several national clients, including text messaging service Text-to-Party, physician administrative support company PracticeWorx, and designer sportswear collection ACDG by Nick Law. Three local clients also signed on...

Diccicco Battista Communications announces new clients.
September 1, 2008... HORSHAM, PA: Diccicco Battista Communications just announced four new client wins for its healthcare practice, including Los Angeles-based Hyland's, for which work was expected to begin September 1

Havas Group reports increase in profits.(Financial report)
September 1, 2008... PARIS: In interim results released August 28, Havas Group reported net income of approximately dollars 72 million, an increase of 40% compared to dollars 51.4 million at the same time last year. The holding company, which includes agencies Euro...

ATA selects M. Silver Associates.(Aruba Tourism Authority)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... NEW YORK: The Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) selected M. Silver Associates as its North American AOR. It will work on PR strategy in order to differentiate Aruba from tourism destinations it competes with for visitors. M. Silver will hold events...

McDonald's ups outreach on Hispanic scholarships.
September 1, 2008... OAK BROOK, IL: McDonald's increased communications efforts for its second year of helping Hispanic high school students prepare for college. It is promoting its 'Steps for Success College Workshops' and the company's scholarship program, funded...

WPP sees 9% growth in PR.
September 1, 2008... LONDON: The PR and public affairs sector within WPP Group reported a 9% increase in revenue, excluding effects of currency movements, in its half-year results released last week. For the six months, ending June 30, PR and public affairs revenue...

Watercooler signs with Shift.
September 1, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO: Watercooler recently named Shift Communications its AOR to help raise its profile in the social networking space. Created in 2007, Watercooler is a platform for sports and TV fans that allows users to access the application...

Launch Pad: Oral-B looks to make brushing teeth cool with its new Pulsonic.
September 1, 2008... Organization: Oral-B Campaign: Pulsonic launch PR Team: Publicis PR Launch: September 8 Budget: Undisclosed Idea: To position the product as more of a consumer choice than a health choice, the PR team hired spokesman Michael...

New potato effort touts its nutritional benefits.
September 1, 2008... DENVER: After several years of negative potato publicity thanks to low-carb diet enthusiasts, the US Potato Board (USPB) is using PR in a new campaign to both explain how the tuber best fits into a health- conscious lifestyle and reach out to...

Media aid launch of MtvU school guides.
September 1, 2008... NEW YORK: MtvU is positioning its newly launched Campus Daily Guides as one-stop resources for returning college students. The online-only guides were unveiled August 26 at 25 colleges nationwide. The in-house PR team plans to work with...

Livingston, SMG cancel their merger.(Social Media Group)(Livingston Communications Inc.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... WASHINGTON: Social Media Group (SMG) and Livingston Communications called their planned merger off last week. PRWeek reported in July that SMG planned to acquire DC-based Livingston, and that the deal would close in August. Maggie Fox,...

PR Play of the Week: Denver's pre-DNC moves rocky at best.
September 1, 2008... Denver has prepared for its big moment in the spotlight for months. The Mile High City's goal was to be nothing less than spic-and-span when it hosted the Democratic National Convention. After all, with all those delegates and international...

Creating your online drug.(Cedra Clinical Research LLC.)(getyourdrugon.com)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Cedra Clinical Research, an Austin, TX-based overnight clinical research company, launched getyourdrugon.com earlier this summer. On the site, users can invent drugs to prescribe and send to friends. Cedra is preparing a fall campaign, kicking...

County in PA launches viral videos effort.
September 1, 2008... BENSALEM, PA: The Bucks County, PA, Conference and Visitors Bureau, working with AOR Oxford Communications, recently launched a series of viral videos with a presidential tie-in to promote the county's tourist offerings. Using a spoof of...

A new name for NASDAQ news service.
September 1, 2008... NEW YORK: NASDAQ renamed its news distribution service as GlobeNewswire with an awareness effort that began at the opening bell August 22. Its former name was PrimeNewswire. The company says the transition reflects the international scope...

Amway Global embarks on brand awareness push.
September 1, 2008... ADA, MI: Amway Global has embarked on a corporate rebranding effort to raise awareness of the overall brand in the health and wellness category and phase out the Quixtar name and brand. A manufacturer of products, such as beauty brand Artistry...

TracFone promotes its wireless brand.
September 1, 2008... NASHVILLE, TN: TracFone Wireless, with its AOR Interlex, plans to roll out its government-supported SafeLink Wireless program with a national awareness campaign starting this month in Georgia, Florida, and New York. It also introduced the...

BET's '106 & Park' engages fans online.(BET Networks)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... NEW YORK: When BET's video countdown show 106 & Park celebrated its 2,000th episode August 20, the network also launched an online social community, 106 & Park Connect. The new site is part of BET's overall strategy to expand into online...

News Analysis: College leaders ignite drinking-age debate.
September 1, 2008... The Amethyst Initiative is calling on the public and politicians to rethink the US' drinking laws. A group of college presidents and chancellors concerned about underage drinking, which they are grudgingly all-too familiar with, recently...

Newsmaker: Parnell brings life's lessons to GW's PR program.
September 1, 2008... As the son of two high school teachers - his mom taught English, his dad history - and, as of June 2008, the director of George Washington University's masters program in strategic PR, Larry Parnell likes to say, 'Those who can, do; those who...

Companies: Corporate Profile - Fandango spotlights its movie expertise.(Company overview)
September 1, 2008... The site has evolved from its ticket-selling roots into a monitor of the filmgoing pulse. The most anticipated movie of the fall is Twilight, based on the novel by Stephenie Meyer. But this information isn't according to a movie studio,...

Companies: The Agency Business - Experts are ready to tackle coming bankruptcies.
September 1, 2008... Though economic woes in the US have led such well-known companies as Bennigan's, Mrs. Fields, and Mervyns to file for bankruptcy, financial PR experts say that they are not currently dealing with more bankruptcy-related clients than usual. ...

Editorial: Obama VP announcement turns promise into problem.(Editorial)
September 1, 2008... As pundit speculation regarding the VP choice mounted, the Obama campaign had promised Web-savvy supporters - who helped the Illinois senator build an extensive Internet base - that they would be 'the first to know' via text message when he...

Op-Ed: Speaking conferences bring benefits.(Conference news)
September 1, 2008... The slowdown in the US economy has communications executives scrambling to stretch budgets without sacrificing results. In times like these, a speaker's bureau program might seem like a 'nice-to-have' component of a communications plan. But a...

Opinion: Brand hijacking is both obstacle and opportunity for companies.
September 1, 2008... Don Draper from AMC's Mad Men is a character who parses his words. A fan of the show decided he would make a great Twitter friend. Additional fake Mad Men accounts cropped up. More fans of the show signed up to hear the (fictional) Draper wax...

Opinion: Theory vs. practice? The correct answer is both for PR education.
September 1, 2008... As I write this, thousands of faculty members in schools of communication, journalism, and related disciplines all across the country are beginning a new academic year. While estimates vary, it is safe to say that more than 50,000 - perhaps as...

Factfile: Retailers realize need to take longer look at young bloggers.
September 1, 2008... In the news A recent piece in a special fall fashion issue of The New York Times Magazine notes that the face of fashion is getting younger. The story follows 12- and 15-year-old females who blog about their fashion favorites, icons, and...

Media: Analysis - New funding model aims to bolster media.
September 1, 2008... Web journalist and freelance writer David Cohn asserts that the system many publications, especially newspapers, use to fund their operations is broken. The 26-year-old views his newsgathering creation, Spot Us, which he plans to expand to a...

Media: Journalist Q&A - Laura Flanders, Free Speech TV.
September 1, 2008... Name: Laura Flanders Title: Host of GritTV and RadioNation Outlets: Free Speech TV and weekly radio program for The Nation Preferred contact method: laura@lauraflanders.com Web sites: airamerica.com; grittv.org PRWeek: What led you...

Media: Research - Ads more effective on local media.
September 1, 2008... Conducted BY: Jupiter Research, for the Online Publishers Association Sample: 2,069 local online content consumers (Spring 2008) Goal: To determine which media more effectively reach consumers KEY FINDINGS 79% of respondents are satisfied...

Media Roundup: Broadband stories play to wider audience.
September 1, 2008... Less than a decade ago, high-speed Internet access for homes and businesses was a tech revolution, and coverage was seemingly everywhere However, despite many in the technology consistently writing about the latest iPhone or the promise of 3G...

Media: Critical Hit - Agency finds right pitch for 'Times'.
September 1, 2008... Name: Ed James, president, PR division, Cornerstone Promotion (New York) Placement: 'It's American Brandstand: Marketers Underwrite Performers,' The New York Times, July 7 Pitch timeline: Four months Ed James: Cornerstone is a...

Media: Ups and Downs.
September 1, 2008... CNN's iReport, a citizen journalism platform where consumers submit video stories, sees submissions rise 176% in the past year The Source rebounds from a 2007 bankruptcy with plans to relaunch with a 20th anniversary issue featuring four...

Media: Inside Information - Companies find attentive viewers in the back of a cab.
September 1, 2008... In November 2007, Matthew Isaacs, principal at hospitality and event company The Bloc Group, found himself being recognized by passersby on the crowded streets of New York. The reason: After hosting an event for singer John Legend, Isaacs'...

Cover Story: The media's candidate.
September 1, 2008... In less than two years, The Politico has emerged as a serious player in the political journalism arena. Now, as the presidential election draws closer, it stands to have an even greater impact. In summer 2006, when The Politico was still...

Regional Focus: Florida - Beyond the usual business.
September 1, 2008... The Sunshine State is brimming with plenty of opportunities for PR pros in a number of different industries. Beth Krietsch reports. While many may think that PR opportunities in Florida are limited to travel and tourism clients, the state...

PR Technique: As radio evolves, pitches must follow suit.
September 1, 2008... Changes stemming from consolidation and the Web mean opportunities for PR pros. Tanya Lewis reports. Several recent industry events have impacted radio. While consolidation - such as the recent merger of XM and Sirius - tends to shrink...

Campaigns: California Tortilla sees sales pop.(Brotman Winter Fried Communications)
September 1, 2008... California tortilla PR Team: California Tortilla (Rockville, MD) and Brotman Winter Fried Communications (Falls Church, VA) Campaign: 14th Annual Pop-Tart Day Duration: May 7-28, 2008 Budget: about dollars 8,600 'If (people) get...

Campaigns: Sunglass Hut shines light on its new fashion efforts.(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Sunglass Hut PR Team: Sunglass Hut and Ogilvy PR Worldwide (both New York) Campaign: A Whole New Look: Store Relaunch Duration: January-May 2008 Budget: dollars 500,000 In January, the team tasked Ogilvy PR, its AOR, to help unveil...

Campaigns: House of Ruth fights back against domestic violence.
September 1, 2008... House of Ruth Maryland PR Team: House of Ruth Maryland and Vitamin (both Baltimore) Campaign: A Line in the Sand Duration: January 2008-ongoing Budget: dollars 30,000 House of Ruth Maryland created a new photo exhibit titled 'A...

PR Toolbox: Pitching radio, executives as thought leaders, and more.
September 1, 2008... Radio What is important to remember when pitching radio? It is vital to keep location in mind when pitching radio, because stations and local networks are always seeking ways to localize a story, says Curt Gill, operations manager at...

People Moves Cohn & Wolfe.
September 1, 2008... NEW YORK: Cohn & Wolfe hired Joe Rutledge as EVP and head of the firm's global corporate practice. In this role, Rutledge will oversee strategy for corporate affairs. Most recently, he was a partner at Blitzen Ventures. Prior posts also include...

People Moves Harvard University.
September 1, 2008... CAMBRIDGE, MA: Harvard University appointed Christine Heenan VP of government, community, and public affairs, effective October 1. Heenan, who is founder of the Clarendon Group and a former director of community and government relations at...

People Moves Racepoint Group.
September 1, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO: Racepoint Group appointed Caroline Kawashima and Tim Hart as SVPs in its San Francisco office. Kawashima joins Racepoint from Autodesk, where she was director of corporate communications. Hart is a veteran health and science...

People Moves Sucampo Pharmaceuticals.
September 1, 2008... BETHESDA, MD: Biopharma company Sucampo Pharmaceuticals named Kathryn de Santis VP of investor relations and corporate communications, effective August 25. She previously held the position of director of IR and corporate communications at...

People Moves National Association of Manufacturers.
September 1, 2008... WASHINGTON: Maureen Davenport, Hill & Knowlton's US tech practice lead, is leaving the firm after nine years. Davenport, who was appointed director of the practice in April, is taking a post as head of communications for the National...

People Moves Text 100.
September 1, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO: Christopher Lynn has joined Text 100 as new media manager for North America. He will focus on providing strategic council to clients, as well as enhancing current internal social media initiatives. Lynn, who also publishes the...

People Moves Johnson & Johnson.
September 1, 2008... NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ: Nancy Walker, VP of global pharmaceutical communications at Johnson & Johnson, announced she would retire September 1. Walker, who has spent nearly 20 years at J&J, led strategic external and internal communications,...

Careers: Expert Advice - Maryanne Rainone, SVP and MD, Heyman Associates.(Interview)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... I have left my company on less than ideal terms. What should I say to a prospective employer? A: If you've left an unpleasant job, whether you decided to leave or you were fired, remember to focus on your goals during a job interview and...

A double take.(Canon U.S.A. Inc.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Maria Sharapova was seeing in 25/25 vision in unveiling her Canon Powershot Diamond Collection on August 20 at the South Street Seaport in New York. More than 25 Sharapova look-alikes joined the tennis star, who was in the city for the US Open,...

Google adjusts Chrome launch efforts after leak.
September 8, 2008... MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA: Google altered the strategy for the debut of Chrome, its first browser, after its unveiling was mistakenly leaked to journalists several days before the scheduled launch. The open source browser was due to launch late...

Siemens taps F-H for global task.(Fleishman-Hillard Inc.)(Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc.)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... MALVERN, PA: Siemens Medical Solutions (SMS), the US arm of Siemens Healthcare, named Fleishman-Hillard AOR, based on the firm's international presence. As part of the relationship, Fleishman will provide global work for Siemens...

McCain camp enlists Eskew as adviser, strategist to Palin.(Tucker Eskew)(John McCain)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... WASHINGTON: The presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has hired Tucker Eskew, a founding partner of communications consulting firm ViaNovo and former aide to President George W. Bush, as a strategist for running mate Gov. Sarah Palin...

Weight Watchers draws attention to food scarcity.
September 8, 2008... NEW YORK: Weight Watchers International recently kicked off 'Lose for Good,' an effort to draw attention to global food scarcity, and provide added momentum to members' weight loss programs. From September 7 to October 18, Weight Watchers...

Wicked Fashions increases efforts for back-to-school.
September 8, 2008... FORT LEE, NJ: Wicked Fashions has launched a multimedia campaign to drum up support for its flagship clothing line SouthPole in time for the back-to-school and holiday seasons. It is employing social media, viral, and traditional methods,...

Socializr selects DKC as AOR.(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO: Socializr, a free Web service for sharing event and party information, has selected DKC as AOR. Socializr will look to DKC to increase its profile in the consumer marketplace, as well as obtain TV exposure for its founder,...

North Bridge Communications works with the Pickens Plan.
September 8, 2008... DALLAS: North Bridge Communications is working with the Pickens Plan, the wind power and natural gas advocacy project backed by oilman T. Boone Pickens, on public affairs initiatives. The Plan continues to work with Sloane & Co., which PRWeek...

Publicis Groupe acquires PBJS.
September 8, 2008... PARIS: Publicis Groupe acquired digital marketing and strategic communications firm PBJS, which counts Microsoft as a client. PBJS will operate autonomously, aligned with Publicis Events Worldwide. Its founder and CEO, Bob Bejan, will continue...

ProConnect PR and Altitude PR merge operations.(public relations)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... WESTMINSTER, CO: Colorado-based firms ProConnect PR and Altitude PR merged operations as of September 2. The new firm will retain the ProConnect PR name. ProConnect PR specialized in media relations, marketing strategy, internal communications,...

Citywide literacy effort kicks off.
September 8, 2008... WASHINGTON: The Washington, DC, Office of the State Superintendent of Education Deborah Gist kicked off a month-long, citywide literacy effort September 4. 'Reading... It Takes You Places' will reach out to kids, but will encourage all age...

Vesdia selects TKC as its AOR.(Trevelino/Keller Communications group)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... ATLANTA: Merchant rewards program and merchant network service provider Vesdia selected Trevelino/Keller Communications (TKC) as its AOR. This is the first time Vesdia has taken on a national PR firm. TKC will focus on raising brand awareness...

Homewood Suites by Hilton selects rbb PR as AOR.(Area of responsibility)(RBB Public Relations)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... MIAMI: Homewood Suites by Hilton selected rbb PR as AOR. The firm was chosen after a multiple-round RFP. It will provide strategic PR counsel and media relations, build brand awareness among targeted consumers and media, and position the brand...

The Network hires Arketi Group as AOR.
September 8, 2008... ATLANTA: The Network, a company providing ethics and compliance hotlines, insurance claim reporting, and employee communication services, hired Arketi Group as AOR. The firm will oversee media relations and speakers' bureau events, and work to...

Best Buy calls on iPhone to fortify mobile division.
September 8, 2008... MINNEAPOLIS: Best Buy plans to use the September 7 debut of Apple's iPhone at nearly all of its 970 stores to raise awareness of its mobile division. Jeff Dudash, PR manager at Best Buy, said even though the retailer launched Best Buy...

Red Cross ups Latino outreach.
September 8, 2008... CHICAGO: The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago launched a brand awareness campaign aimed at the city's Hispanic residents. It will get a boost with the introduction of three murals in Hispanic neighborhoods starting September 15. The...

Intel, Yahoo join in tech effort.
September 8, 2008... SANTA CLARA, CA: Intel and Yahoo, working with respective agencies Ogilvy and Hill & Knowlton, are conducting a media relations campaign promoting their new Widget Channel technology to developers. Widget Channel is a framework, using Intel...

Launch Pad: The Cliffs, GPI set a course to tout in-school health program.
September 8, 2008... Organization: The Cliffs Real Estate Inc. Campaign: Gary Player Invitational and Zest Quest PR Team: Ketchum Launch: September 28 Budget: Undisclosed Idea: In conjunction with the GPI promotion, The Cliffs is highlighting Zest...

PR Play of the Week: Republicans weather first night troubles.
September 8, 2008... News of Hurricane Gustav making its way to the Gulf Coast on Labor Day weekend sent a chill down the spines of those who recall New Orleans residents stranded on their rooftops after Hurricane Katrina. With the country watching for signs of...

CAH bolsters efforts to stem gay-marriage ban.
September 8, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO: Californians Against Hate (CAH) is calling attention to companies whose employees have donated dollars 5,000 or more to support a November ballot initiative that would ban gay marriage in the state. The group opposes...

Teen cosmetic line makes online push.
September 8, 2008... SAUSALITO, CA: The late-September debut of a new collection of teen-focused, eco-body care products at Whole Foods Markets is being promoted by individual stores and through the line's nonprofit founder. The line, Teens Turning Green, is...

Virgin aligns with HBO for its new route.
September 8, 2008... NEW YORK: Virgin America planned to host a September 4 party for the media and bloggers to celebrate its new JFK to Las Vegas route. Dubbed the 'Entourage Air,' the route will include HBO programming, like Entourage, on board. The cast of the...

Presidential planes.(Jet Angel)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... Jet Angel, the owner of a collection of decommissioned military aircrafts and equipment used for educational programs and advertising, launched a voter awareness campaign that takes presidential candidate jets across the country. Jets saying...

Dagoba eyes consumers in garden effort.
September 8, 2008... ASHLAND, OR: Dagoba Organic Chocolate recently kicked off 'Seed the Day,' a new effort to connect consumers with the urban gardening movement and further Dagoba's brand messaging of eco-awareness. In its largest consumer push to date,...

Payless targets Hispanics with bilingual necklaces.
September 8, 2008... TOPEKA, KS: Payless is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and reaching out to the Hispanic community by selling bilingual necklaces and donating the proceeds to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF). Working with Hispanic AOR Conexion PR,...

MAOF nears its selection of first AOR.(Mexican American Opportunity Foundation)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... LOS ANGELES: The Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF), a Latino-serving, social service nonprofit, is close to selecting its first AOR. The Montebello, CA-based group, which was founded in 1963 and has an annual budget of dollars 63...