PR Week (UK) articles from January 2003

PR Week (UK) archives from January 2003

Cardinal appoints Morley as interim PR aide.(Mark Morley; Church launching PR offensive)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... The Roman Catholic Church is launching a PR offensive to help tackle the Archbishop of Westminster's tarnished reputation following last year's paedophile priest scandal. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has seconded the Church's press...

Powergen in comms review after TXU buy.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Energy giant Powergen is to review its in-house and external consumer and B2B PR following the acquisition of TXU's UK retail business. Powergen UK comms head Isobel Hoseason refused to rule out PR job losses as the two companies merge and...

St James's Palace media team take on Bolland duties.(Sir Michael Peat to assume PR duties)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... St James's Palace has confirmed that it will not replace the Prince of Wales' long-term PR consultant Mark Bolland, who resigned the pounds 150,000-a-year account this month, but will hand his responsibilities to the Prince's private secretary,...

Boots to shake up media relations.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Boots is to review its entire in-house media relations and financial communications structure following an audit that assessed best practice across the 43-strong corporate affairs department. Boots group director of corporate affairs...

Weber Shandwick links up with Tibbs for Global Bid Unit.(Jon Tibbs)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Weber Shandwick has set up a specialist sports and events bid unit ahead of a possible British bid to host the Olympics in London in 2012. The agency has teamed up with sports bid expert Jon Tibbs to set up the new division, called Weber...

Edelman consumer arm cut back.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Edelman has laid off a quarter of its consumer practice, blaming the 'financial performance of that division'. While refusing to name those who have departed, CEO James Thellusson confirmed that the team has lost six staff, taking it down...

McGibbon lands global PR position within Hilton Group.(Leslie McGibbon)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Hilton Group's recently-appointed global PR chief Leslie McGibbon is to hire four regional PR heads as the leisure group attempts to bring a 'more co-ordinated' approach to its global communications. McGibbon, who took up the newly-created...

Christmas and New Year News Roundup.
January 10, 2003... A summary of news that broke over the festive period BA reappoints Brunswick Brunswick has retained its UK and US corporate PR account with British Airways, but has seen its fees slashed from pounds 1m to less than pounds 250,000 a...

STOP PRESS: Appointment at British Nuclear Fuels.(appoints Brian Hoffmann head of public affairs post)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... PUBLIC AFFAIRS: British Nuclear Fuels has appointed former Exxon Mobil issues adviser Brian Hoffmann to fill its newly created head of public affairs post. He takes over much of the work of government affairs head Tom McLaughlan, who left last...

STOP PRESS: WPP chief executive casts doubts.(Sir Martin Sorrell)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... MARKETING SERVICES: WPP chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell has cast doubt on last year's predictions that marketing services will bounce back this year, warning it is unlikely the sector will recover until 2004. Sorrell told German newspaper...

STOP PRESS: Appointment at BMW.(hires Natalie Wakefield as media relations manager for its MINI range )(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... MOTOR: BMW has hired Natalie Wakefield as media relations manager for its MINI range in place of Mark Harrison, who was promoted to corporate comms manager last November. Wakefield was formerly media relations manager with responsibility...

STOP PRESS: Selfridges hires Town House Publicity.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... CONSUMER: Department store Selfridges has hired media arts PR agency Town House Publicity to launch Selfridges Birmingham, which is due to open this September in the city's Bullring development. The agency will handle art and cultural PR...

STOP PRESS: Archant hires Propeller Communications.(to develop and implement its corporate PR program)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... MEDIA: Media group Archant, which publishes 40 magazines and 60 regional newspapers including the Hampstead & Highgate Express, has hired Propeller Communications to develop and implement its corporate PR programme for the year ahead. Propeller...

STOP PRESS: Lloyds TSB hires The Priory Partnership.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... FINANCIAL SERVICES: Lloyds TSB has hired Brighton-based agency The Priory Partnership for corporate PR to promote the bank's range of advisory, financial and banking services across the south east. The win adds to Priory's existing work for the...

STOP PRESS: Clarification.(Correction Notice)
January 10, 2003... The retained evaluation company used by the Catholic Communications Service is called Media Measurement not Media Monitoring as previously stated (PRWeek, 13 December 2002). Also, the Institute of Public Relations voluntary sector group Fifth...

Citigate arms win Securicor PA and City brief.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Security giant Securicor has hired Citigate Dewe Rogerson and Citigate Public Affairs to handle its UK financial PR and public affairs. The two Citigate arms won the three-year account after a four-way pitch that included the eight-year...

Kehoe moves up as replacement head of APCO UK.(Stephen Kehoe appointed managing director)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... APCO has appointed Stephen Kehoe as its UK managing director to replace Nick DeLuca, who takes a broader European remit. Kehoe will lead a 37-strong team split between corporate and public affairs work and report to APCO Europe chairman...

Sony considers external support for PS2 in Europe.(Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's PlayStation 2 console)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) is in talks with PR agencies as it considers taking on external support across the continent for its PlayStation 2 console. SCEE head of corporate comms Nick Sharples played down suggestions of a...

pounds 2.7bn Cadbury deal puts Maitland top for City M&As.
January 10, 2003... The Maitland Consultancy is back on top of the M&A City PR adviser market, handling communications for three deals worth nearly pounds 3.3bn. Angus Maitland's PR outfit dislodged Brunswick from the top slot largely through its work...

NP wins consumer/trade remit for Richmond Foods.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Ice-cream maker Richmond Foods - which bought Nestle's entire ice-cream brand portfolio in 2001 - has handed a nationwide consumer and trade PR remit to NP. NP won a competitive pitch to secure the pounds 100,000 contract and is now...

CPR wins pitch to promote seminar on heart disease.(European Society of Cardiology contract)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... The European Society of Cardiology has drafted in healthcare agency CPR to boost its profile with consumer media across Europe. The agency won a six-way competitive pitch to promote a media seminar set for 18 February, at which cardiology...

Ex-GCI Asia head to take up reins at MS&L London.(Nicholas Walters)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... MS&L London has appointed former GCI Asia Pacific chairman Nicholas Walters to be its London chief following Ann Moravick's return to the United States. Walters takes on the role a year after being made redundant from GCI, where he acted...

Smith out as pub retailer brings its trade PR in-house.(Eldridge Pope drops Clive Smith)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Pub retailer Eldridge Pope (EP) has taken its regional and trade PR work in-house following last year's tough trading conditions. Former externally retained trade and local media manager Clive Smith has lost the account after four years....

Brighter PR picks up business travel body's B2B remit.(Guild of Business Travel Agents drops Keith Tottem Associates, hires Brighter PR)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Business travel association the Guild of Business Travel Agents has dropped agency Keith Tottem Associates after 14 years and hired Brighter PR. GBTA, which counts American Express and Carlson Wagonlit as members, awarded Brighter its B2B...

Coalition of Modern Universities hires BPPA.(Bell Pottinger Public Affairs)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... A group of universities created out of the former polytechnics have hired Bell Pottinger Public Affairs to bolster their image and influence the debate raging over higher education funding. The Coalition of Modern Universities, which...

Ask Jeeves holds PR talks to build roster of agencies.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Online question and answer service Ask Jeeves is in talks with PR firms in a bid to build an agency roster for ad hoc project support. The news comes as Ask Jeeves embarks on an aggressive product launch programme, with a raft of new...

Esporta plans to boost its UK offer with PR shop hire.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Upmarket fitness club chain Esporta is on the hunt for PR agency support as it bids to boost its membership and build its profile nationally. The move follows the appointment of Alex Pike, who started work as Esporta's first marketing...

Consolidated wins Maxxium corp brief.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Maxxium UK, the sales and marketing firm behind drink brands The Famous Grouse and After Shock, has hired Consolidated Communications for a corporate PR push. Consolidated won a four-way pitch against hatch-group, The RED Consultancy and...

IRS extends Best Practice Website awards to Europe.(Investor Relations Society)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... The Investor Relations Society has opened up its Best Practice Website awards to firms across Europe. This is the first time the award scheme, which is now in its third year, has been extended beyond the UK. The move is part of a wider...

PUBLIC SECT0R: Westminster City Council increases staff comms level.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Westminster City Council has boosted its internal communications function. Improvements in staff communications are seen as vital this year to smooth through the transfer of hundreds of jobs to private firm Vertex. Last year the firm...

PUBLIC SECT0R: Kensington and Chelsea PR role given to Fitzpatrick.
January 10, 2003... The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has appointed Martin Fitzpatrick to succeed communications director Penny Mordaunt. Fitzpatrick, previously deputy director of communications, takes up the retitled role of head of communications...

PUBLIC SECT0R: NHS breast cancer body looks for agency.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... The NHS National Breast Cancer Screening Office is on the hunt for PR agency support. The office is looking for an agency to handle its pounds 150,000-a-year account, offering a press office service and supporting public affairs,...

PUBLIC SECT0R: Amicus hires firm to audit internal communications.(second largest union, Amicus)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... The UK's second largest union, Amicus, has hired the Arnold Group to carry out a communications audit. The project is due to be completed by the end of next month and has been called for following the change in leadership last summer when...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Council cuts regional media ad spend.
January 10, 2003... Lincolnshire County Council, the focus of a local newspaper campaign to oust its leader last year, is to slash its advertising spend in the regional media by pounds 180,000. In revamping its thrice-yearly community magazine, County News, to...

PUBLIC SECTOR BRIEFS: Appointment at Elizabeth Finn Trust.(Charles Anson named trustee)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... CHARITY: The Queen's former press secretary Charles Anson has joined the Elizabeth Finn Trust as a trustee to offer communications advice. The charity, which helps professionals in financial difficulty, was formerly known as the Distressed...

PUBLIC SECTOR BRIEFS: Drugscope publishes guide.(online guide provides information about drug abuse)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... DRUGSCOPE: Drug policy think tank Drugscope has published an online guide for journalists in a bid to avoid alleged mis-reporting of drug abuse. According to the charity common myths include describing heroin withdrawal as a 'near death...

PUBLIC SECTOR BRIEFS: Appointment at Hampshire Constabulary.(Kevin Briscoe receives appointment)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... HAMPSHIRE: Hampshire Constabulary has appointed Kevin Briscoe as its media services manager. Previously deputy manager, he succeeds Richard Horobin, who has retired after nine years with the force.

PUBLIC SECTOR BRIEFS: Media Trust launches PR drive.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... MEDIA TRUST: The Media Trust is launching a PR drive this month to promote its online matching service, where marketing, PR and design professionals are urged to offer their services for free to charities. The website address is...

PUBLIC SECTOR BRIEFS: Appointment at Breakthrough Breast Cancer.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... CHARITY: Breakthrough Breast Cancer has appointed Fiona Hazell as head of media relations. She joins in the newly created role from Fishburn Hedges and reports to chief executive Delyth Morgan. She will work alongside fundraising and marketing...

PUBLIC SECTOR BRIEFS: Volunteer Development Agency hires Citigate Northern Ireland.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... VOLUNTEERS: The Volunteer Development Agency has hired Citigate Northern Ireland to promote a free phone service in the region for those wanting to volunteer. The campaign will initially target young adults with the second phase later this year...

PUBLIC SECTOR BRIEFS: Pets at Home hires Agency Tangerine.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... PARTNERSHIP: Agency Tangerine has been hired by animal care retailer Pets at Home to promote its link up with the charity Dogs for the Disabled. This is the second year the charity and the firm have linked up. The firm hopes to raise more...

PUBLIC SECTOR BRIEFS: Appointment at North West Tourist Board.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... TOURISM: The North West Tourist Board has appointed Claire Palcykiewicz as PR manager, overseeing all corporate and consumer PR. She joins from Iceland Foods, where she was assistant consumer PR manager, and replaces Caron Lett who has joined...

INTERNATIONAL: Merrill Lynch begins hunt for Critchlow's successor.(hunt for PR chief)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... NEW YORK: Merrill Lynch is searching for a successor to PR chief Paul Critchlow who has unveiled plans to retire in the next 18 months. The Wall Street giant, which has been buffeted by analyst scandals over the last year, is expected to...

INTERNATIONAL: GA/F-H join to boost Asia offering.(partnership between Fleishman-Hillard and Gavin Anderson)
January 10, 2003... HONG KONG: Omnicom-owned PR agencies Gavin Anderson and Fleishman-Hillard are joining forces in Asia to help boost their offerings and combat tough market conditions. GA and F-H already share offices in Hong Kong, but are set to co-locate...

INTERNATIONAL: Letter From America - No time like the present to act on the obesity issue.(Editorial)
January 10, 2003... The food industry should act now to stay one step ahead of the obesity debate if it is to avoid a PR disaster, writes US commentator Paul Holmes. Five years from now, every McDonald's burger will come wrapped in paper that carries a health...

INTERNATIONAL: PATA in search for comms chief as Hastings departs.(Pacific Asia Travel Association)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... BANGKOK: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) - the body which represents tourist boards across Asia - has launched a search to find a communications chief for its Europe and Americas division following the announcement Bill Hastings is...

INTERNATIONAL: Spanish director of PR axed in Fiat cost-cutting bid.(public relations)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... MADRID: Troubled Italian carmaker Fiat has axed the director of communications post at its Spanish arm. Fiat Iberia loses the post held by Luis Serrano as part of a global restructuring plan, launched as the group expects to lose pounds...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS: Omnicom purchase falls apart.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... NEW YORK: Omnicom's purchase of US lobbying shop Quinn Gillespie & Associates (QGA) - one of the most anticipated acquisitions of 2002 - fell apart last month when the two sides failed to reach a final agreement. Omnicom-owned Fleishman-Hillard...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS: Appointment at FD International.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... PARIS: FD International has named Nina Mitz - a former communications adviser to three successive French Economy, Finance and Industry Ministers - as president and director general of Financial Dynamics France. Mitz, who is also V-P of the...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS: Appointment at CGIS.(Citigate Global Intelligence and Security )(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... NEW YORK: Incepta's business intelligence arm Citigate Global Intelligence and Security (CGIS) has hired Daniel Biran as associate MD of the business controls and security practice. Biran was formerly director and project manager with the...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS: Meeting on CSR.(customer service representative)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... BRUSSELS: Customers are continuing to make their buying decisions on price and quality, not corporate behaviour of the manufacturer, according to delegates at a meeting on CSR in Brussels. Attendee Charlotte Lester, Edelman Brussels head, said...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS: Weber Shandwick forms partnership.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... DUBAI: Weber Shandwick has formed a partnership with the PR network of Middle East and North Africa comms firm Fortune Promoseven Network to create Promoseven/Weber Shandwick. Meanwhile, WS has also joined forces with Israeli agency Rimon...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS: Burson-Marsteller's CEO reputation study.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... FRANKFURT: German CEOs influence their company's corporate reputation more than their US or UK counterparts, according to Burson-Marsteller's second CEO reputation study. The research, conducted by icon brand navigation, surveyed 600...

MEDIA: IPC parenting title appoints Pates as permanent editor.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... IPC has named Sara Pates as editor of its Practical Parenting magazine. Her appointment follows a two-month stint as acting editor, covering the role following the departure in October of Jayne Marsden. Before joining the magazine she...

MEDIA: Guardian politics web hire.(Guardian Unlimited)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Guardian Unlimited has chosen one of the BBC's News at Ten producers to be editor of its politics site. Tom Happold replaces Julian Glover, who has been promoted to assistant news editor (politics) on The Guardian. The site's publisher,...

MEDIA: Cotton to edit Bannister's 5 Live show.(Cotton, Louise)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Louise Cotton is to be the editor of Matthew Bannister's evening show on BBC Radio 5 Live. It is the latest change to the station's editorial line-up since a major reshuffle was announced last year in which presenters and their editors...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Sunday Mirror launches travel supplement.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... SUNDAY MIRROR: Holidays, a weekly travel supplement, has been launched by the Sunday Mirror on the back of the rise in 'no frills' airlines. Edited by Sarah Whitfield-King, Holidays is focused on families and couples and aims to provide readers...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Financial Times dismisses reports.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... FINANCIAL TIMES: The Financial Times has dismissed as 'speculation' reports that it is to produce a new tabloid section on UK business. But a spokeswoman admitted that it will revamp the UK edition of the paper 'some time this year'. The paper...

MEDIA BRIEFS: New monthly paper for young people called OINK!(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... OINK!: A new monthly paper aimed at seven to 12-year-olds will seek to explain money matters to a young audience. One million copies of the free title, called OINK!, will be distributed to primary schools, libraries, shopping malls, sports...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Appointment at Edge.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... FUTURE: Edge, the videogames title published by Bath-based Future Games, has promoted features editor Mark Walbank to associate editor. Meanwhile, reviews editor Ste Curran becomes editor-at-large, based in London. Walbank will continue to look...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Paragon Publishing launches two magazines.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... PARAGON: Consumer tech company Paragon Publishing has launched two magazines for the PDA and TV sectors to join its portfolio of buyer's guide titles. Widescreen TV Buyer is bimonthly, includes information on plasma screens and is the sister...

MEDIA BRIEFS: BPMA relaunch journal.(British Promotional Merchandise Association)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... PROMOTIONS BUYER: The British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) is to relaunch its journal next month. Promotions Buyer will replace the old Promotions News, and has a new A4 format. Editorial is to consist of news, analysis and advice...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Relaunch of Hit 40 UK.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... NETWORK CHART SHOW: The Network Chart Show, known as the Pepsi Chart since 1993, has relaunched as Hit 40 UK. The new show promises greater listener interaction via brand extensions such as a website and SMS text clubs. It is owned by Network...

OPINION: Editorial - Self-reliant start to PR's new year.(public relations)(Interview)
January 10, 2003... While economists are still dithering over whether to make forecasts for recovery or decline into recession in 2003 - with marketers even indicating a modest increase in ad spend during the next 12 months - WPP influential chief executive Sir...

OPINION: Bitter rivalry ultimately forced Bolland's hand.(Bolland, Mark)
January 10, 2003... I was enjoying a few drinks in the pub at the weekend when my journalist friend took a call on his mobile. To my amazement it was Camilla Parker-Bowles. What on earth could be so important for the future King's partner to be calling him?...

ANALYSIS: What role for NATO as Iraq war looms?
January 10, 2003... As Western powers gear up for a possible war in Iraq, NATO faces increasing scepticism from US opinion-formers. Director of information and press Jamie Shea outlines the target groups for the organisation's New Year communications push. ...

ANALYSIS: PR industry cynical over research's upturn claim.(public relations)
January 10, 2003... Last year saw job losses and declining income across the PR industry, but growth is expected in 2003, according to one recent survey by London Business School. Ian Hall weighs up industry reaction. The UK PR industry has reacted with...

THE YEAR AHEAD: Future challenges.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... PRWeek asks industry experts about major PR issues facing their sector this year. Most senior communicators will be glad to have seen the back of 2002 with its economic and reputational challenges, but will this year be any better?...

CAMPAIGNS: Crisis Management - 'Cheriegate' forces Caplin into PR battle.
January 10, 2003... Client: Carole Caplin PR Team: MacLaurin Media Campaign: Minimising the fallout from 'Cheriegate' Timescale: November - December 2002 Budget: Undisclosed Peter Foster, a convicted fraudster, helped Cherie Blair negotiate the...

CAMPAIGNS: Healthcare PR - AstraZeneca drug release for migraine.(public relations)
January 10, 2003... Client: AstraZeneca PR Team: CPR Worldwide Campaign: European launch of Zomig Nasal Spray Timescale: August - October 2002 Budget: Undisclosed AstraZeneca was not the first company to bring the latest migraine treatments (known as...

CAMPAIGNS: E-PR - New Nirvana material has online launch.(electronic public relations)
January 10, 2003... Client: Polydor Records PR Team: Hyperlaunch Campaign: Online launch of Nirvana's greatest hits album Timescale: October 2002 Budget: Undisclosed Online PR agency Hyperlaunch, a music and film campaign specialist, was tasked with...

PROFILE: John Aspery, IPR - President Aspery set for challenges at IPR.(Institute of Public Relations)
January 10, 2003... New chief is determined to maintain the high standards of the profession. This year's IPR president John Aspery is what some might term 'old school'. A 44-year veteran of the PR industry, he refers to himself as 'a suit and tie man', sees...

DIARY: Massive turnaround sees Marks & Spencer as PR Wars Champion 2002.(public relations)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Rejuvenated high street retailer Marks & Spencer has won the title of PR Wars Champion 2002 after topping the chart for most of last year. M&S scored a massive 5,965 points to top the final table, compiled exclusively for PRWeek by...

DIARY: Agencies create some Christmas cheer at the expense of journalists.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... The festive period was a time of practical joking for two agencies: Borkowski PR and Communique PR. Borkowski, not content with sending out boring old Christmas cards, decided to send out a mock-up BBC News Online story to journalists and...

DIARY: No sweat for Speaker's PR adviser Stonborough.(public relations )(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... When House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin blasted Government 'spin doctors' on Radio 5 Live last week, urging Ministers to dispense with them, it begged the question as to what will happen to his own PR man, John Stonborough. But...

DIARY: Buzzwords still plague the PR industry's offices.(public relations )(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Another year, another call to clamp down on pointless and annoying PR jargon. An Aziz Corporation poll has found that 60 per cent of company directors feel they are still plagued by buzzwords, with the figure rising to 83 per cent for PR,...

DIARY: Campbell and Ms Dynamite have lots in common.(Campbell, Alastair)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Downing Street communications and strategy director Alastair Campbell is doing a grand job boosting his own profile among Britain's ethnic minority communities. Just days after he was revealed as keynote speaker at the annual Race in the...

Bell sells half of HHCL to WPP for pounds 4m in cash.(Chime Communications to sell stake in HHCL)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Chime Communications chairman Lord Bell this week announced a deal to sell 49 per cent of troubled ad agency HHCL to rival marketing services group WPP. According to Bell, the deal - under negotiation for the last four months - will free...

City PR firms line up in battle for Safeway.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... The PR and lobbying war for control of Safeway heated up this week as Wal-Mart joined the bidders hoping to acquire the stores group. Safeway's agreed bidder WM Morrison, which put a pounds 2.57bn all-share offer on the table last week, has...

IPR's withdrawal marks an end to PRE-fix scheme.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Planning research and evaluation initiative PRE-fix has been abandoned, following the withdrawal of the IPR from the scheme. A statement released this week by IPR director-general Coin Farrington confirmed that the scheme, set up jointly...

Clarke re-emerges in Huntsworth role.(Alison Clarke signs up at Huntsworth)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Former Weber Shandwick Asia-Pacific boss Alison Clarke has re-emerged at listed marcoms group Huntsworth, taking the title of new business director. She joins Huntsworth next month and has been tasked with better integrating the group's PR...

Speakers named for conference on PR and the Media.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Andrew Gowers, editor of The Financial Times, and Mark Bolland, former adviser to the Prince of Wales, are among the stellar cast of media and PR professionals who will be speaking at PRWeek's second PR and the Media conference on 20 March. ...

Citigate wins National Grid financial PR after review.(Citigate Dewe Rogerson)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Citigate Dewe Rogerson has emerged triumphant from National Grid Transco's City PR review, beating fellow incumbent The Maitland Consultancy to the account, worth over pounds 150,000 in fees. NGT - the UK's biggest utility firm - put the...

AOL abolishes top comms role as Chisholm departs.(public relations operations streamlined)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Online service provider AOL has further streamlined its PR function by announcing it will not replace departing head of UK communications Sasha Chisholm. The duties of Chisholm, who resigned late last year, including team management and...