PR Week (UK) articles from August 2003

PR Week (UK) archives from August 2003

Lovell quits T-Mobile comms director post.(Neil Lovell)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Mobile phone giant T-Mobile's top UK communicator, Neil Lovell, has quit after less than two years in the post. Director of corporate communications Lovell, who will not be replaced, said he had 'done all I can in that role' and has left...

Leslie went against PR advice in Express deal.(John Leslie and the Express Newspapers U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... TV presenter John Leslie rejected advice from his PR man James Herring over his exclusive pounds 550,000 deal with the Express Newspapers, it has been revealed. Speaking exclusively to PRWeek, Herring said he urged his client to do a...

IR Society makes CEO redundant to 'rechannel funds'.(Andrew Hawkins, Investors Relations Society U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... The Investor Relations Society has made its chief executive Andrew Hawkins redundant as part of a review of the organisation's financial position. IR Society chair Diane Faulks said the move was motivated by the need to channel funds...

Robin Cook joins PR battle for the Tote.(public relations U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... College Hill Associates, the city PR firm that advises government-owned bookmaker the Tote, has hired former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook to bolster its work with the client. As was revealed on prweek.com (29 July), it is expected that Cook...

Mitty PR blunder turns spotlight on PM aide Tom Kelly.(public relations and the Prime Minister's office, U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... The Prime Minister's official spokesman Tom Kelly, who apologised this week for comparing scientist Dr David Kelly to fictional fantasist Walter Mitty, is still in post as PRWeek goes to press, despite mounting calls for his departure. Tom...

BA admits 'lessons to be learned' from PR disaster.(British Airways public relations)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... British Airways is to have formal meetings with industry journalists over the next few weeks, as the company tries to resurrect its battered reputation following last month's walkout at Heathrow Airport. BA head of corporate communications...

Trew brought in to refresh Allders.(Trew Relations hired to draft a communications strategy)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Department store Allders has hired Trew Relations to draft a communications strategy as the chain seeks to re-establish itself under new management. The agency was hired without a competitive pitch although Allders' new owner, the...

Four more consultancies for PRWeek global survey.(public relations firms U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Information from four global PR consultancies should have been included in last issue's international PR feature. Hill & Knowlton's biggest global remits, across Europe, the Americas and Asia, are Aventis, Ford/Mazda, HP, Kellogg, Motorola...

Bertie Bassett set for comeback as brands champion.(Cadbury Trebor Bassett relaunch)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Cadbury Trebor Bassett is to relaunch its iconic character Bertie Bassett in a wider role as a 'sweet representative' for over 25 brands. The PR side to next week's relaunch will be handled by Launch PR, whose brief is to unveil the...

STOP PRESS: Justin Fox confirms attendance at summit.
August 8, 2003... ICCO: Fortune editor-at-large Justin Fox is the latest speaker to confirm attendance at this year's ICCO summit in Berlin on 16 and 17 October. Details of the programme at ICCO's bi-annual event, organised for the first time in association with...

STOP PRESS: Appointment at Fleishman-Hillard Europe.(Simon Kleine named vice-president)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... APPOINTMENT: Fleishman-Hillard Europe has hired Simon Kleine as vice-president. He joined last month from a consultancy role with mobile-phone firm Motorola. Kleine has previously worked as PR and government affairs director (London) for cable...

STOP PRESS: Eurocamp appoints Weber Shandwick.(to handle its public relations)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... CONSUMER: Camping firm Eurocamp has appointed Weber Shandwick to handle its PR during 2004. The Manchester-based team handling the account reports to PR manager Gill Fozard.

STOP PRESS: Cochlear Company hires Hill & Knowlton.(for public relations work)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... HEALTHCARE: Medical device company Cochlear Company has hired Hill & Knowlton to raise awareness of its ear implants. The agency was picked after a pitch against Sante Communications, Edelman, Ogilvy PR Worldwide and GCI, and reports to...

STOP PRESS: Krispy Kreme donut brand to launch in UK.(Gabrielle Shaw Communications hired for public relations campaign)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... CONSUMER: Gabrielle Shaw Communications has been hired to launch US donut brand Krispy Kreme in the UK. The agency is working on a PR campaign for the company and will handle a launch event at Harrods in October.

STOP PRESS: Appointment at ExCel.(exhibition center appoints Gemma Parkhouse public relations manager)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... APPOINTMENT: Docklands exhibitions centre ExCeL has appointed Gemma Parkhouse in the newly created post of PR manager. Parkhouse joined from Fuel PR's consumer team.

STOP PRESS: Channel 4 to handle PR in-house for show.(public relations for Teen Big Brother)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... BROADCAST: Channel 4 will handle PR in-house for Teen Big Brother, a show based on the Big Brother format that is being developed by production company Endemol and the channel's 4 Learning arm. The show, featuring participants aged 18, is...

STOP PRESS: Prize draw result.
August 8, 2003... SPECIAL CODE: The code word to win a magnum of champagne in the readership survey prize draw is BEAR. If that was your codeword, phone the newsdesk on 020 8267 4520 to verify that the word matches the number. Apologies for not publishing the...

Winterthur Life appoints FD to raise profile.(Financial Dynamics appointed company's principal public relations adviser in the UK)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Winterthur Life, the UK life and pensions arm of Credit Suisse, has appointed Financial Dynamics as its principal PR adviser in the UK. FD beat off four other PR firms to win the role of raising the profile of the firm among the financial...

One quarter of PR graduates unable to get full-time job.(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... As many as a quarter of last year's graduates of PR-based degree courses are still unable to find permanent full-time work in the industry, an IPR survey has suggested. The survey is the body's first of its kind and is based on responses...

Finsbury holds on to lead position in July Deal Watch.(public relation firms ratings, U.K.; includes "Deal Watch July 2003 Ranking" statistical table)
August 8, 2003... Finsbury has consolidated its position as the adviser on the biggest deals of the month in the UK M&A PR league according to the latest Deal Watch figures. The firm worked on deals worth pounds 5.3bn last month, a pounds 2.1bn increase on...

Electrolux ditches top PR post as Wells leaves firm.(vice president of public relations role eliminated with departure of Tom Wells)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Household electrical appliances company Electrolux has axed its role of vice-president of PR as the postholder Tom Wells departs. Wells is leaving the firm's most senior PR post to set up his own consultancy, called Gyroscope, but will...

Senior role in jeopardy at Sony Music Entertainment.(top communications role at Sony Music Entertainment Europe "under discussion" following departure of Jonathan Morrish)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... The status of Sony Music Entertainment Europe's top comms role is 'under discussion' following the departure of vice-president of communications Jonathan Morrish. Sony Music Entertainment UK V-P comms Gary Farrow said 'discussions were...

Supermodel firm drafts in Mission Media for PR brief.(Premier Model Management retains public relations firm)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Premier Model Management, the agency that represents supermodels such as Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington, has hired Mission Media as its retained PR firm. Mission replaces Bose Hewitt Management to work for the company, which has...

FlyBe pitch ends with two PA shops hired for lobbying.(hires GPC International and PPS)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... The UK's third-largest low-cost carrier, FlyBe, has hired GPC International and PPS to bolster its lobbying activities as the Government gears up to publish its aviation White Paper. The agencies' joint bid was the favoured option,...

Ex-Firefly duo are back with launch of Credo venture.(David Hargreaves and Nick Rappolt)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Former Firefly Communications deputy MD David Hargreaves has resurfaced with the launch this week of London-based PR venture Credo. Hargreaves and joint Credo founder Nick Rappolt, a former Firefly account director, are targeting clients in...

Internal comms sector launches an industry group.(public relations association Inter-Comm)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... The internal communications industry's four main professional bodies have joined forces to launch an organisation aimed at boosting professional standards and raising the industry's profile. Inter-Comm is the result of collaboration between...

Stace to head Consumers' Association PR.(Nick Stace appointed communications and campaign director)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... The Consumers' Association has appointed Nick Stace as its communications and campaign director. Stace, who joins next month from Citigate Communications, will lead a team of 42 staff, covering all campaigning, PR and lobbying. His...

Miller takes European role as Boeing revamps team.(UK communications director Charlie Miller promoted as company restructures its European public relations team)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... US aerospace and defence giant Boeing has restructured its European PR team, promoting UK comms director Charlie Miller to a pan-European role and hiring Nick West to replace him in the UK. West, who started at Boeing this week, was...

Consultation task tender for Dorset police force looms.(public relations U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Dorset Police Authority is hunting for an agency to carry out community consultation activities - a contract worth more than pounds 150,000 a year. Applicants will be fielded for a three-year contract to handle consultation on issues such...

Clifford acts for suspended councillor.(Max Clifford Associates retained by Tony Buckley)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Max Clifford Associates this week launched the first stage of a PR campaign to restore the battered reputation of suspended London Borough of Waltham Forest council leader Tony Buckley. The Labour Party stripped Buckley of the leadership...

Colman Getty hired to promote Madonna children's book.("English Roses")(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Colman Getty has been hired to promote the September launch of Madonna's first children's book, English Roses. The firm, which has also handled launches for JK Rowling and NigellaLawson, was hired by Penguin subsidiary Puffin. The launch of the...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Essex Council set to lose nine roles in comms review.(public relations U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Details of the cuts to affect Essex County Council's communications team have been announced. The council's bosses have ordered the team to cut its annual pounds 1.8m budget by pounds 300,000, resulting in the axing of nine roles and the...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Glasgow's Brown denies report caused departure.(John Brown retires)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Glasgow City Council PR and marketing head John Brown has hit out at speculation that his decision to retire is due to a critical report of council communications and a recent reorganisation of his team. The elder brother of the Chancellor...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Selby Council brings in health trust to run PR.(Primary Care Trust public relations retainer U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Selby District Council has drafted in its local Primary Care Trust (PCT) to run its PR operation, in a move that is believed to be the first of its kind. The move effectively means that Selby and York NHS PCT's communications manager Lee...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Social care body targets users with its pictorial guide.(General Social Care Council U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... The General Social Care Council is to target social care users with learning disabilities, in its latest campaign to promote tough new guidelines in the sector. Communications director Mark Oakes said the body, which promotes the newly...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Friends pay tribute to Kevin Galloway.(Worcestershire County Council public relations manager U.K.)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
August 8, 2003... Friends and colleagues have been paying tribute to Worcestershire County Council PR manager Kevin Galloway, who died suddenly at the age of 42. Galloway, whose funeral took place on Monday, passed away on 24 July after a suspected heart...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Weber Shandwick to handle PR for Transport Initiatives Edinburgh.(Weber Shandwick International public relations)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... EDINBURGH: Transport Initiatives Edinburgh, the City of Edinburgh-owned company set up to handle the likely introduction of congestion charging, has hired Weber Shandwick to handle its PR. The agency's appointment follows a pitch earlier this...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Band & Brown to promote modern apprenticeships.(Learning and Skills Council Norfolk)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... NORFOLK: Learning and Skills Council Norfolk has hired Band & Brown Communications to promote modern apprenticeships to the business community. Deputy office MD Donna Barker heads the account, and reports to LSC Norfolk marketing manager...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Appointment at National Anti-Vivisection Society.(Caroline Chisholm named head of public relations)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... ANIMAL RIGHTS: The National Anti-Vivisection Society has appointed Caroline Chisholm as head of PR. She previously held communications roles at the National Osteoporosis Society and the Northern Ireland Film Council. She will also lead PR...

PUBLIC SECTOR: South Bank University hires PR agency.(Communications Management PR)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... UNIVERSITY: South Bank University's research and business development office has hired St Albans-based Communications Management PR to handle its PR. The agency will promote the office to the wider business community and will report to office...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Appointment at Vale of Glamorgan Council.(Anna Humphries appointed U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... VALE OF GLAMORGAN: Anna Humphries has been appointed as communications co-ordinator for Vale of Glamorgan Council. She joins from news agency Wales News Service, where she was a journalist. Her work will include launching a customer care...

PUBLIC SECTOR: CancerBACUP launches campaign.(Cancer in Your Language)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... CHARITY: CancerBACUP has launched a campaign called Cancer in Your Language to promote a newly launched national free-phone service for ethnic minorities, which offers advice in 12 languages.

PUBLIC SECTOR: Corporation of London hires PR firm.(public relations U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... LONDON: The Corporation of London has hired Fearnhurst Sampson PR to raise Leadenhall market's profile. The appointment follows a pitch earlier this year (PRWeek, 25 April). The agency's campaign will be both consumer and trade focused with an...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Fifth Estate to hold seminar.(Calendar)
August 8, 2003... CHARITY: The Institute of Public Relation's charity group Fifth Estate is to hold a seminar focusing on communications teams. Charities being looked at include WWF-UK, World Vision and the NSPCC. The event takes place on 16 September at the...

INTERNATIONAL: Bratislava aims to boost its image.(public relations campaign)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... BRATISLAVA: City authorities in the Slovak capital are considering drafting in PR agency support in a bid to boost the city's image in the West and attract tourists and investment. Bratislava city council spokesman Milan Vajda said PR...

INTERNATIONAL: Fujifilm replaces Edelman with Text 100 after 21 years.(Fuji Photo Film USA public relations account)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... ELMSFORD, NY: Fuji Photo Film USA has appointed Text 100 as its agency of record across the country. The hire follows an agency pitch process that culminated in a face-off between Text 100 and Stanton Crenshaw Communications. Text...

INTERNATIONAL: US pharma body hires former H&K man for V-P remit.(Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America appoints Ed Belkin vice president of communications)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... WASHINGTON, DC: Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has appointed Hill & Knowlton senior vice-president Ed Belkin as V-P of communications. Belkin, who quit H&K last week, will report to PhRMA senior vice-president...

INTERNATIONAL: French campaign will warn clubbers about 'rape drug'.(public relations France)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... PARIS: France's hotel and nightclub industry has launched a PR campaign warning of the dangers of the 'date-rape drug' GBH. The Union des Metiers et des Industries de L'Hotellerie (UMIH), the organisation for the French hotel and nightclub...

INTERNATIONAL: Letter From America - Don't believe everything consumer surveys predict.(brand power research)
August 8, 2003... Surveys that predict trouble for US brands based on consumers' anti-Americanism should be treated with scepticism, writes US commentator Paul Holmes. There has to be a better way of predicting how people are going to behave than simply...

INTERNATIONAL: Merrill Lynch & Co names senior vice-president.(Jason H. Wright appointed senior vice-president, communications and public affairs)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... NEW YORK: Merrill Lynch & Co last month named former Nabisco Group Holdings head of worldwide comms Jason H Wright as senior vice-president comms and public affairs. He replaces Paul Critchlow, who is to become counsellor to the chairman and...

INTERNATIONAL: Kia Motors America hires PR21.(to handle public relations)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... IRVINE, CA: Kia Motors America has hired PR21 to handle its PR in the US. The agency, whose Los Angeles office will handle the account, beat incumbent Pacific Communications, as well as GCI and Cohn & Wolfe, to secure the remit.

INTERNATIONAL: Adobe Pacific hires Text 100 for PR in Australia.
August 8, 2003... SYDNEY: Adobe Pacific has hired Text 100 for its PR account in Australia and New Zealand, following a five-way pitch. A media relations programme will focus on flagship products such as Acrobat, Photoshop and Illustrator.

INTERNATIONAL: Appointment at Manning Selvage & Lee.(Sheila Kaur appointed as MD of its Dubai office)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... DUBAI: Manning Selvage & Lee has appointed Sheila Kaur as MD of its Dubai office to replace Eddy Rizk, who is leaving to 'pursue other personal ambitions', according to a statement. Kaur joined in June 2001 as assistant MD.

INTERNATIONAL: Abbott Laboratories hands PR contract to Weber Shandwick.(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... BANGKOK: Abbott Laboratories has handed the PR contract for Thailand for its anti-obesity drug Reductil to Weber Shandwick following a two-way pitch. The agency also handles Reductil in Japan and Australia.

INTERNATIONAL: General Motors hires C/I Hispana as agency of record.(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... DETROIT: General Motors has hired C/I Hispana as its agency of record to target the Hispanic community. Ruido Group, which GM has formerly used, will continue to handle Latino youth and multicultural advertising and marketing for GM. Both...

INTERNATIONAL: Lewis PR opens office in San Francisco.(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO: Lewis PR this week opened an office in San Francisco. Meanwhile, the agency has also been hired by Dutch-based multi-media technology and monitors firm CTX, to handle its PR in the Benelux countries, Italy, Spain and the UK.

INTERNATIONAL: Dunkin' Donuts hires Fleishman-Hillard.(for public relations campaign)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... RANDOLPH, MA: Dunkin' Donuts has hired Fleishman-Hillard to handle a PR campaign focused on promoting a line of espresso-based drinks the donut chain will introduce next month.

INTERNATIONAL: Grayling Asia hired to promote exhibitions.(by the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... SINGAPORE: Grayling Asia has been hired by the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers to encourage overseas organisations to stage exhibitions and conferences in Singapore. Media relations for the campaign...

MEDIA: This Is Money set to expand appeal through redesign.(personal finance website)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... This Is Money, the personal finance website run by Associated New Media (ANM), is being redesigned in a bid to expand its user base, with more information on areas such as property and stock market investment likely to feature strongly. ...

MEDIA: New editor for BBC London.(Cath Hearne appointed editor of BBC London News)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Cath Hearne has been appointed editor of BBC London News, replacing Quentin Smith, who has started this week as output editor of the BBC's regional news programme, South East Today. Hearne, currently editorial co-ordinator for the BBC's...

MEDIA: Sky News boosts editorial staff numbers.(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Sky News is to strengthen its editorial team with the creation of 17 posts. The move comes in stark contrast to other media organisations, such as Trinity Mirror and Reuters, which have recently announced job cuts. This week it was...

MEDIA BRIEF: Four new producers join Channel 4 News.(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... CHANNEL 4 NEWS: As part of Channel 4 News' ongoing recruitment drive, four new producers are joining the team at the end of this month. They are: Job Rabkin, who comes from the BBC Six O'clock News, Daniel Wright from the ITV News Channel, Nina...

MEDIA BRIEF: Promotion at Haymarket Management Publications.(Rufus Olins promoted to MD)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... HAYMARKET MANAGEMENT PUBLICATIONS: Rufus Olins has been promoted to MD of Haymarket Management Publications, which includes Campaign and Management Today. Olins, a former deputy City editor of The Sunday Times, began his career at Haymarket,...

MEDIA BRIEF: Shake up at Daily Mirror.(53 positions to be made redundant)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... DAILY MIRROR: Senior journalists specialising in education and medical news at the Daily Mirror are among 53 posts to be made redundant in a shake-up by the tabloid's owner, Trinity Mirror. Medical correspondent Jill Palmer, who has held the...

MEDIA BRIEF: Appointments at Lex.(appointments to Financial Times column)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... FINANCIAL TIMES: Aline van Duyn and Peter Doralt have been appointed to Lex, the daily backage comment column of the Financial Times. Van Duyn has swapped roles with Charles Batchelor, who is now editor of capital markets. Doralt, who joins in...

MEDIA BRIEF: Appointment at Observer Music Monthly.(Luke Bainbridge appointed deputy editor)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... OBSERVER MUSIC MONTHLY: Luke Bainbridge has been appointed deputy editor of Observer Music Monthly (OMM). Editorial director and editor of Manchester-based City Life magazine since 1999, Bainbridge has also freelanced for the Guardian Guide,...

MEDIA BRIEF: Jack hires Steve Read.(as creative director)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... JACK: Men's magazine Jack has hired Steve Read as creative director and is to be redesigned from its November issue. Dennis Publishing, which recently bought Jack's publisher, IFG, has promised a pagination increase to more than 300 pages. The...

MEDIA BRIEF: BBC Magazines to launch parenting title.(called BBC Parenting)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... PARENTING: BBC Magazines is to launch a title aimed at readers with children aged one to 12. BBC Parenting will go on sale on 11 September. The publisher said that none of the parenting titles on the market currently deal with children above...

OPINION: Hoon error adds to damage done by Number 10.(Column)
August 8, 2003... The summer of 2003 will be remembered for two things - its record temperatures and the unrelenting heat on the Government caused by a hostile media and an aggrieved public. Tony Blair's response was to announce an end to spin. He wants his...

EDITORIAL: Tom Kelly must go after his conduct.(Editorial)
August 8, 2003... Of all the staff involved in presentation at Downing Street, the sober and serious Tom Kelly seemed one of the least likely to fall victim to the sort of Jo Moore-esque scandal that is engulfing him as PRWeek goes to press. The former...

OPINION: Leslie was wrong to ignore PR advice.(Column)
August 8, 2003... If you were John Leslie and had been subjected to damaging allegations in the media for ten months, would you consider your reputation restored on the basis of one day's headlines reporting that a judge dismissed the case against you? ...

ANALYSIS: When the director becomes the star.
August 8, 2003... With Alastair Campbell's departure from Downing Street closer than ever, Ian Hall rounds up the latest developments and asks political communicators what Campbell taught them and what they'd have done differently. Below, Joe Lepper profiles...

ANALYSIS: Profile - Straight talker Hill is the anti-spin front runner.
August 8, 2003... If rumours that David Hill is to take over from Alastair Campbell are to be believed, then the former Labour Party media spokesman turned Good Relations director is off to a fine start. While Campbell has placed himself at the centre of the...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Connecting with communities. New performance data has triggered a revolution in local authority communications.(Industry Overview)
August 8, 2003... The culture of spin has become synonymous with this Government's communication methods, more so than any of its predecessors. And with the media relentless in its pursuit of honest answers, better communication between politicians and the...

CAMPAIGNS: Public Affairs - Bar Council's jury trial work targets Lords.
August 8, 2003... Client: The Bar Council PR Team: Weber Shandwick Public Affairs Campaign: Defence of the right to trial by jury Timescale: June 2001 - July 2003 Budget: Between pounds 100,000-pounds 120,000 Home Secretary David Blunkett attempted...

CAMPAIGNS: Media Relations - Online sperm bank boosts donor figures.(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Client: ManNotIncluded.com PR Team: Gillan Media Campaign: Website's first anniversary Timescale: Late June 2003 Budget: pounds 5,000 Although 16 couples have conceived using the cyber sperm, only one was willing to talk about the...

CAMPAIGNS: Charity PR - Guide Dogs in push to raise research role.
August 8, 2003... Client: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association PR Team: In-house Campaign: Shades for a Day Timescale: December 2002-July 2003 Budget: pounds 25,000 Since 1990, the charity has funded 106 ophthalmic research projects, totalling...

PROFILE: Kai Boschmann, Burger King International - Efficient Boschmann maps out BK strategy.
August 8, 2003... Burger King comms director takes up the baton on global health concerns. Kai Boschmann, the communications director for Burger King International, claims to eat 'at least two or three' BK burgers per week, an unsurprising statistic, given...

DIARY: Radio spin doctors' TV foray into celeb PR sounds absolutely fabulous.(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Times are changing at fictional PR outfit Prentiss McCabe. The Radio 4 series Absolute Power, in which Stephan Fry and John Bird play PR consultants Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe, is set to make the switch to TV. The move was...

DIARY: Southern client 'bias' triggers NP name rethink.(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Evidence has emerged of some shocking anti-northern bias among prospective southern clients. NP managing director Nick Brown, who last year rebranded his agency from Northern Profile in a bid to overcome southerners' prejudices, says:...

DIARY: Borkowski man rages against cut-price fees.(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Borkowski PR new business director Larry Franks is on the warpath against 'big agencies' undercutting his pitches. 'Some of them are working for pounds 2,500 a month - it's disgusting,' he rages, citing fees apparently quoted in a recent...

DIARY: Alastair Campbell to go it alone - in Northants.(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... Diary was more than a little excited to receive the PR scoop of the year this week - a release headlined 'Alastair Campbell resigns to set up own PR and marketing company'. How disappointing to discover that 'Campbell' is not the Number 10...

DIARY: C&W team triumphs in five-a-side friendly match.(social happening between public relations agencies)(Brief Article)
August 8, 2003... PRWeek was delighted to accept Cohn & Wolfe's challenge of a five-a-side football match last week. We would relish detailing the game's finer moments (of which there were many), and the result (9-8 to them, but then they probably cheated),...

Tribal Group buys Geronimo PR in pounds 13m deal.(public relations firms U.K.)(Brief Article)
August 15, 2003... Public Sector professional services firm Tribal Group has boosted its PR offering with the acquisition of Geronimo PR in a deal worth up to pounds 13.6m. The education and central government specialist, ranked the fastest growing agency in...