PR Week (UK) articles from June 2002

PR Week (UK) archives from June 2002

Nokia's corporate PR account under review.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 7, 2002... The world's leading mobile phone manufacturer Nokia is reviewing its corporate PR account, currently held by Grant Butler Coomber. The firm, which controls 37 per cent of the world's mobile phone market, has narrowed the review down to a...

MPs pitch for external media adviser.(House of Commons Commission will award public relations contract)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... The House of Commons Commission is on the hunt for an external adviser to handle its media relations for the next three years. The commission is in the middle of the pitch process and is understood to be likely to make a decision no sooner...

MacLaurin picks up EDS UK profile raising account.(Electronic Data Systems)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... MacLaurin has been appointed by global IT company Electronic Data Systems to raise its UK profile. The MacLaurin team has been handed a remit overseeing EDS's business services, on a project basis until the end of the year. The agency...

NatMags PR head takes up M&S role.(Marks & Spencer hires Tania Littlehales as public relations head)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Resurgent retailer Marks & Spencer has hired former National Magazine Company PR head Tania Littlehales to head PR for its apparel, home and leisure division. Littlehales left NatMags, the publisher of Good Housekeeping, in March this...

Allied Domecq PA global head quits job after five years.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Allied Domecq's global head of public affairs is quitting after five years with the drinks giant. John Walter says he has decided to leave because he, 'fancied a change.' He added: 'I don't know what I'll do next but I would like to stay...

Phipps lands nationwide Nando's.(chicken restaurant chain appoints Phipps Public Relations)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Chicken restaurant chain Nando's has appointed Phipps PR to handle its nationwide PR brief. The appointment was made following a two-way competitive pitch. The four-strong Phipps team, led by creative director Imogen Russon, will support...

Brunswick returns to pole position with pounds 9bn deals.(top ranked public relations firm)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 7, 2002... Brunswick has regained top spot in the May M&A PR adviser rankings - handling more deals than any other City PR firm. The agency made a return to the top slot for the first time since February, bagging 20 deals worth pounds 9.36bn. The...

MMD wins smart card technology remit at Lodestar.(public relations)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... MMD has scooped a retained PR remit for computer technology firm Lodestar. The remit was won in a two-way pitch that concluded last week, against Lewis PR. Lodestar is the license-holder for UK distribution of a hardware device that...

MEA scoops grand prize at first Scottish PR awards.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... MEA PR last week scooped the Grand Prix prize for its work on HCI International Medical Centre at the first ever Scottish PR Awards in Glasgow. The awards, organised by The Drum magazine and the Scottish IPR, and judged by a panel...

STOP PRESS: Takeover talks not confirmed by Havas.(rebuttal of speculation that it is in discussions with Cordiant Communications)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... TAKEOVER: Advertising group Havas - which owns PR firms Euro RSCG, Grayling Group, Hudson Sandler and part of the Maitland Consultancy - has issued a rebuttal to speculation that it is holding takeover discussions with Financial Dynamics parent...

STOP PRESS: Campaign for Leadership to hold conference.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... INTERNAL COMMS: The Campaign For Leadership is to hold a day-long conference in response to last month's joint Henley Management Centre and Blue Rubicon study showing UK CEOs are questioning the value of internal communications (PR Week, 24...

STOP PRESS: Chichester Tourism seeks to raise city's profile.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... TOURISM: External PR support is being sought to promote Chichester in West Sussex as a tourist attraction. A partnership of local bodies called Chichester Tourism is seeking to raise the city's profile as part of a year-long communications...

STOP PRESS: Number of countries rises for Golden World Awards.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... AWARDS: The number of countries represented in this year's International Public Relations Association's Golden World Awards of Excellence has increased to 41 from just 26 last year. Serbia, Greece and Bahrain are among those countries...

STOP PRESS: Rank Interactive Gaming hires Cohn & Wolfe Digital.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... TECHNOLOGY: Rank Interactive Gaming - part of The Rank Group - has hired Cohn & Wolfe Digital to promote its new online games site, Rank.com. The site features online bingo and casino games.

STOP PRESS: ePolitix.com promotes comms head to md.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... MEDIA: Politics portal ePolitix.com has promoted its communications head Mike Hepburn to become managing director. He reports to Colin Jeavons, CEO of ePolitix parent company Parliamentary Communications Limited.

STOP PRESS: Birmingham Midshires appoints PR agency.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... FINANCIAL: Loan company Birmingham Midshires, which became part of the Halifax Group three years ago, has appointed Financial Dynamics as its financial PR agency. FD senior consultant Chris Townsley heads the account.

STOP PRESS: Harrison Cowley hired by Toms.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... CONSUMER: Harrison Cowley has been hired by Toms, the UK's second largest private label confectionery manufacturer, for the UK launch of a sugar-free cool mint, O/ZON. The agency plans to target 25 to 35-year-olds through clubs and celebrity...

STOP PRESS: The Weber Group Europe wins PR pitch.(public relations)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... B2B: Weber Shandwick subsidiary The Weber Group Europe has won a five-way pitch to secure the UK PR business for industry analyst firm AMR Research. Weber, which replaces incumbent Herald Communications, will target the business and trade press...

STOP PRESS: Frank Public Relations hired for theatre promotion.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... TRADE BODY: The Society of London Theatres, which represents 52 theatres in central London, has hired Frank Public Relations to promote Kids Week 2002. The event encourages children to experience live theatre.

STOP PRESS: Global Acumen hires Pirate Communications for promotion.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... TECHNOLOGY: New media firm Global Acumen has hired Pirate Communications to promote the I-card, a business card-sized device which holds 15 minutes of video and interactive content. The agency was formed by staff from BT's internet and...

Reshuffle makes Timms third CSR minister.(schools minister Stephen Timms)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Ministerial responsibility for CSR has changed hands for the third time since the post's creation two years ago. In the ministerial reshuffle following the resignation of transport secretary Stephen Byers, schools minister Stephen Timms has...

Strakan shortlists agencies for help with IPO planning.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Pharmaceuticals group Strakan is staging beauty parades for City PR support ahead of its stock market debut, scheduled for spring next year. The five-year-old company has already held talks with up to ten financial PR consultancies for the...

Hewlett-Packard shelves plans for consumer pitch.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Hewlett-Packard has shelved plans for an EMEA consumer pitch until next month following the biggest tech merger in history, with rival Compaq. The computers and printers giant has delayed its PR agency beauty parade, which was originally...

Mantra wins B2B job from Kingston inbusiness hire.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Mantra PR has been appointed by telecoms concern Kingston inbusiness after a six-way pitch. The agency will be responsible for all B2B PR at national, regional and specialist level. The appointment is a first agency hire for Kingston...

Electrolux Group appoints West Europe comms head.(Claire Gosnell )(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... The Electrolux Group has appointed Claire Gosnell as its corporate communications manager for Western Europe. She will head all corporate communications, internal and external for the group in the UK, Ireland, France, Netherlands, Belgium...

GPC International searches for MD to replace Saren.(managing director Jane Saren)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... GPC International is on the hunt for a managing director of its Scottish operation following the resignation of incumbent Jane Saren. Saren who joined in 1996 as the PA shop's first Scottish office head, has announced she is to leave to...

Shine lands Film Four brief to push its retail releases.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Shine Communications has been hired to handle all future film releases from the Film Four stable. The brief will see the agency promote forthcoming releases such as Monsoon Wedding and Lucky Break for the company whose credits include Ewan...

PUBLIC SECTOR: FCO pushes fresh holiday safety message.(Foreign and Commonwealth Office)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is launching a fresh push in its safety campaign for holidaymakers. The Know Before You Go campaign, which launched last year, is to be carried on for at least another three years, the FCO announced this...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Social services to receive media image help-packs.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Action is being taken to help councils improve the image of social workers. Within weeks the Department of Health is to send out resource packs to all councils with social services. These will offer council PROs and social service teams...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Comms boost for Merthyr Tydfil up for consideration.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is being urged to boost its promotion of the area to a national audience, following a review. The review, carried out earlier this year by agency Quadrant, is recommending the council ploughs tens of...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Voluntary sector to lobby government.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... The National Council For Voluntary Organisations is to launch a PR and lobbying drive this summer as two key Government reviews are concluded. Within the next two months the Treasury is to complete its spending review, which includes...

PUBLIC SECTOR: Publications gain categories in IPR awards for 2002.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... A higher priority has been given to publications in this year's IPR Local Government Group awards. Last year's publications award has been split into two new categories: best civic magazine/newspaper and best leaflet or publication. ...

PUBLIC SECTOR BRIEFS: Mencap to launch PR push.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... CHARITY: Mencap is to launch a PR push later this month to raise awareness of learning disabilities. National Learning Disability Week takes place from 17 to 23 June. The campaign involves the release of a report concluding that local authority...

PUBLIC SECTOR BRIEFS: Unicef targets pupils to raise cash.(United Nations Children's Fund and The Times Educational Supplement link up)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... EDUCATION: The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) is targeting UK pupils in its bid to raise cash for schools in Afghanistan. Unicef has linked up with The Times Educational Supplement to give teachers lesson plans and fundraising ideas....

PUBLIC SECTOR BRIEFS: Queen Mary University takes on QBO.(Quentin Bell Organisation hired for recruiting)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... UNIVERSITY: Queen Mary University of London has taken on external PR support. Agency QBO has been hired on a brief to boost student recruitment. The university was formerly four colleges: Queen Mary, Westfield, St Bartholemew's Hospital and...

PUBLIC SECTOR BRIEFS: Institute of Animal Technology to raise image.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... SCIENCE: Vivisectionist group the Institute of Animal Technology is targeting schools as part of its campaign to raise its image. A leaflet has been produced for pupils and teachers explaining the role of vivisectionists in medical research....

PUBLIC SECTOR BRIEFS: Medway council targets businesses for conference promotion.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... MEDWAY: Medway council is targeting the business community for promotion of a conference later this month. Taking place on 19 June, the event, called Medway - TheFuture Unveiled, aims to highlight the benefits for businesses in relocating to...

PUBLIC SECTOR BRIEFS: Down's Syndrome Association cranks up PR efforts.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... DISABILITY: The Down's Syndrome Association has cranked up its PR efforts this week as part of its annual event, Down's Syndrome Awareness Week. PR is being handled by The Forster Company. The campaign has been timed to coincide with the...

PUBLIC SECTOR BRIEFS: NE Regional Assembly to launch lobbying push.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... NORTH EAST: The North East Regional Assembly is to launch a lobbying push over Government plans to devolve regional power. Assembly members are targeting John Prescott, who this week took over control of local government and the regions....

INTERNATIONAL: Ketchum beats H&K and F-H to Deloitte business.(Ketchum Public Relations Worldwide Inc. receives contracts from Deloitte Consulting, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... CHICAGO: Ketchum has grabbed what is understood to be a seven-figure account working for Deloitte Consulting as it is spun off from its accounting parent-firm. Ketchum - led by global CEO Raymond Kotcher and chairman David Drobis - won the...

INTERNATIONAL: DaimlerChrysler comms reshuffle.(restructuring in-house communications)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... STUTTGART: Car giant DaimlerChrysler is to restructure its in-house communications division in charge of PR for the Mercedes, Maybach and Smart car brands. Group head of global product communications Johannes Reifenrath, who was appointed...

INTERNATIONAL: Letter From America - World Cup organisers suffer 'failure of creativity'.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Fifa and its official World Cup sponsors should be more creative if they want to overcome 'ambush' marcoms tactics, writes leading US commentator Paul Holmes. The World Cup engenders more passion than the Olympics, Super Bowl, and World...

INTERNATIONAL: Ruder Finn Asia hires Fazakerley for health V-P job.(Ruth Fazakerley)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... HONG KONG: Healthcare specialist Ruder Finn Asia (RF) has recruited Ruth Fazakerley to head its healthcare division as vice-president. Fazakerley joins following a two-year tenure at Weber Shandwick Hong Kong, where she handled accounts...

INTERNATIONAL: Study puts Italian financial comms in bottom division.(communications)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... MILAN: Italian companies are losing out to global competitors due to ineffective financial communications, a survey has revealed. Many of the country's leading organisations are handed a low rating in the Milano Italiano Borsa (MIB) 30...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS: Porter Novelli picks up PR account.(National Partnership to Help Pregnant Smokers Quit awards public relations contract)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... WASHINGTON: Porter Novelli has picked up the pounds 2.5m PR account to support the National Partnership to Help Pregnant Smokers Quit - a coalition of 46 organisations formed to cut the number of pregnant women who smoke. PN has launched a...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS: Burson Marsteller appoints executive committee for Iberia.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... MADRID: Burson-Marsteller has appointed an executive committee to lead its Iberian operations. B-M Spain MD Carmen Valera becomes business and corporate development director; financial director Luis Solis adds admin, resources and organisation...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS: NRA ends hunt for PR chief.(Andrew Arulanandam named public relations chief at National Rifle Association)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... WASHINGTON: The National Rifle Association (NRA) has ended its lengthy hunt for a PR chief, promoting Andrew Arulanandam to the post. Formerly senior media liaison, Arulanandam becomes director of comms in charge of PR and advertising. He...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS: European Communications Consultants turn to Switzerland.(European Communications Consultants, Farner PR und Consulting form ECC Farner)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... ZURICH: European Communications Consultants - which owns German agency Kohtes Klewes - has turned its attention to Switzerland's PR market, forming a partnership deal with Farner PR und Consulting to form ECC Farner. The move gives the ECC...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS: Appointment at Citigate.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... NEW YORK: Citigate Global Intelligence and Security has announced its second hire in the same month, appointing Edward Kuriansky - the former commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation. Kuriansky takes on the post of senior...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS: Appointment at Perrier Vittel France.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... PARIS: Nestle's water division Perrier Vittel France has hired Valerie Toutain as director of internal and external communications. She joins from 3M's French operations, where she was PR chief. Perrier-Vittel has 72 bottling plants and annual...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS: Nordic PR agencies form PR network.(Audumbla Poolcat, Apeland Information, BNL Euro RSCG, Effector Communications)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... STOCKHOLM: Nordic PR agencies Audumbla Poolcat in Sweden, Apeland Information in Norway, BNL Euro RSCG in Finland and Effector Communications in Denmark have formed a region-specific PR network, NPRN. Per Schlingmann, NPRN international...

MEDIA: Upmarket glossy Bogey aims to be golf's Wallpaper*.(new journal)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Bogey, a quarterly lifestyle glossy themed around golf, hits the newstands today. The blend of golf, fashion, travel and product news is designed to attract an upmarket readership, aged 25 to 35 years, according to a spokesman for the...

MEDIA: Frank takes Zest position.(National Magazine Co. promotes Rebecca Frank, Linda Bird)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... The National Magazine Company has reshuffled senior editorial staff at two of its best-known magazines. Rebecca Frank has been made deputy editor of Zest, replacing Linda Bird, who is to become She senior editor. Frank had been acting...

MEDIA: Red/New Woman in content revamp.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Redesigns and content revamps on two of Emap's leading online brands this week opened up fresh opportunities for PROs in the health and babycare sectors. The online arms of both New Woman and Red have been modified in a set of changes...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Appointment at The Sun.(Kate Williams)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... THE SUN: Kate Williams has joined The Sun as deputy health editor, reporting to health editor Jackie Thornton. Williams has worked in B2B publishing as a health journalist and in the British Medical Association's press office.

MEDIA BRIEFS: Executive editor of Wallpaper* resigns.(Tim Clark is leaving style magazine)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... WALLPAPER*: The executive editor of international style magazine Wallpaper* has resigned a week after the departure of its founder and editor, Tyler Brule. Tim Clark had been at the title for two-and-a-half years and was formerly managing...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Appointment at The Observer.(Jo Revill named health editor)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... OBSERVER: Jo Revill is to join The Observer as health editor in August. She replaces Anthony Browne, who is moving to an undisclosed role at The Times. Revill is currently a political reporter at the Evening Standard. She has previously been...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Stuff to reorganise news desk.(Gary Parkinson, Fraser Macdonald take over news writing at magazine)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... STUFF: Gadgets and tech monthly Stuff is to reorganise its news desk following the departure of news editor Robby Elson. Fraser Macdonald, previously at Haymarket stablemate What Hi Fi?, will share Elson's news-writing role with Gary Parkinson,...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Appointment at Independent News & Media.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... INDEPENDENT: Richard Withey, who is currently in charge of The Independent's online activities, is to become global director, interactive media for Independent News & Media. Withey, who retains his UK responsibilities, oversaw...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Future's PS2 Mag goes online.(Future Publishing's Official Playstation 2 Magazine will provide content for uk.playstation.com)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... FUTURE PUBLISHING: Future's Official Playstation 2 Magazine has gone online and is to provide branded content for uk.playstation.com as part of a deal with Sony Computer Entertainment UK. This will include breaking news, reviews and interviews...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Appointment at Discovery Networks International.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... DISCOVERY: Discovery Networks International has appointed Robin Paxton as its new head of European business. He joins from Walt Disney's Asia-Pacific TV businesses division, where he was the Hong Kong-based managing director. Paxton, who began...

MEDIA BRIEFS: Star News launches on NTL Home Digital network.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... NEWS CORPORATION: Star News, the 24-hour news channel aimed at Asians in the UK, has launched on the NTL Home Digital network, giving it potential access to 1.25 million more homes. The service will be free until the end of June, said UK head...

OPINION: Byers PR legacy makes grim reading for Blair.(hirings, resignations among United Kingdom government officials)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Prime Minister Tony Blair knew Stephen Byers was a major liability for the Government months ago and it was only a matter of time before the embattled transport minister was sacked. Some people may believe that Byers resigned but in...

EDITORIAL: PR balancing act pays off for Royals.(Golden Jubilee is successful public relations event for Britain's monarchy)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Buckingham Palace comms director Simon Walker must be in seventh heaven this week, bathed in the glorious afterglow of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. Despite endless media predictions of apathy, the public support for the final celebrations...

EDITORIAL: Govt needs to create clarity on CSR.(corporate social responsibility)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
June 7, 2002... Last week's high-profile Cabinet reshuffle - while dominated by Transport Secretary's Stephen Byer's reluctant departure - also saw the less publicised appointment of Stephen Timms, as the third minister responsible for CSR in as many years....

ANALYSIS: Palace PROs have no time to relax - Buckingham Palace communications secretary Simon Walker tells Alastair Ray that many PR challenges remain for the Royal Family.(public relations)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... While it's possible to argue with hindsight that it would have been impossible to botch such a massive event, it didn't seem that way at the start of the year. Newspapers were running pieces about public indifference and highlighting the...

ANALYSIS: Style but no substance as Byers departs Govt.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... While senior Labour figures still practice faultless political PR, Stephen Byers was finished off by cack-handed spin doctoring, says former Conservative media director Amanda Platell. In the end, nothing so betrayed transport secretary...

PUBLIC AFFAIRS: The battle to steer the Comms Bill - Robert Gray looks at the lobbying efforts of the media firms before the Communications Bill becomes law.
June 7, 2002... The leading broadcast media owners in the UK have been studying the draft Communications Bill with intensity. Published by Secretary of State for Culture and Media Tessa Jowell on 7 May, this long-awaited white paper has gone far further in...

CAMPAIGNS: Crisis Management - Andersen UK reacts to D&T 'merger' talk.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Client: Andersen/Deloitte & Touche PR Team: Financial Dynamics; Andersen head of corporate communications Anne Groves; Deloitte & Touche head of PR and media EmmaThorogood Campaign: Resolving Andersen future in UK Timescale: March - April...

CAMPAIGNS: Consumer PR - Harrods puts LG's family in shop window.(LG Electronics)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Client: LG Electronics UK PR Team: Herald Communications Campaign: LG internet family Timescale: November 2001 - ongoing Budget: pounds 1m (for 12 months, including ads, design, etc) Korean electrical goods firm LG and PR firm...

CAMPAIGNS: Public Sector - Cheltenham tackles yobs in media gaze.(Cheltenham Borough Council)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Client: Cheltenham Borough Council PR Team: In-house Campaign: Tackling the Tearaways Timescale: July 2001 - ongoing Budget: Part of annual budget Cheltenham Borough Council has been working in partnership with the local police and...

PROFILE: Hugh Birley, Lexis PR - Independent future inspires Lexis chief. After the pounds 5m MBO, Hugh Birley reveals his five-year agency strategy.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 7, 2002... To succeed in PR it helps to believe in your product. One senses that Hugh Birley, CEO of Lexis Public Relations and the man who led last month's pounds 5m agency management buy-out, does: he is deeply committed to the idea that independent...

DIARY: GHI sweepstake 'forfeit' replicates Blaine stunt.(Golin/Harris International)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... David Blaine's variation on the great US tradition of flagpole sitting has inspired envy among the PR fraternity. Blaine, of course, managed to captivate the world's media last week by standing still for 35 hours on a pillar 80 feet up in...

DIARY: Stonborough passes buck as bin Laden Uni e-mail confuses pals.(public relations man John Stonborough's practical joke)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Friends of PR tough-guy John Stonborough were miffed to read an e-mail he sent about his impending return to university. In an A-plus example of understatement, Stonborough informed his friends: 'My return to university will probably strike...

DIARY: JCPR staff report relief as O2 gadgets save explorer.(rescue of explorer David Mill makes good public relations for O2 (UK))(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... There were bleary eyes around Jackie Cooper PR as the agency battled against the elements (late nights and weekends) to promote client O2's sponsorship of explorer David Mill's Arctic expedition. Doubtless it will all have been made...

DIARY: Conspiracy theories pile in over Deayton's affair.(public relations stunt brings viewers to "Have I Got News For You?')(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... Diary won't allow a TV presenter to have a coke-fuelled night of vice-girl passion without indulging in a few conspiracy theories. Was it a crafty PR stunt to draw viewers away from Big Brother's opening night to Have I Got News For You?...

DIARY: Argentina match invites leave London hacks torn.
June 7, 2002... Journalists across London are in decision-making turmoil: which World Cup networking beano to attend? PR firms have been whacking out the invites to what they have dubbed the 'PR Networking Event of Year' - the England vs Argentina...

DIARY: Branson backs Barry's book on PR's 'secrets'.(Amanda Barry's new book 'PR Power - Inside Secrets from the World of Spin')(Brief Article)
June 7, 2002... PR entrepreneur Amanda Barry, founder of agency Amanda Barry Communications, has taken time out to write PR Power - Inside Secrets from the World of Spin. Drawing on her own experiences, she aims to show readers around the pitfalls of the...

OneMonday sells trade name to PwC for pounds 3m.(PricewaterhouseCoopers)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Shareholders in underperforming PR firm owner OneMonday received a boost this week as the company sold its name to the consulting arm of PricewaterhouseCoopers for more than pounds 3m. PwC this week announced a pounds 70m rebrand of...

Unilever recruits CSR and UK comms heads.(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Unilever has beefed up its in-house PR team, recruiting CSR and UK comms heads for the first time. Patrick Kerr joined the FMCG giant this week as head of UK comms, overseeing all Unilever comms activities, except consumer PR for its...

Cabinet Office hits back at MPs over Hood role claims.(Andrew Hood, former special adviser to defence secretary Geoff Hoon)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... The Cabinet Office has hit back at claims that Andrew Hood, former special adviser to defence secretary Geoff Hoon, broke civil service rules over his move to City PR firm Brunswick. BBC Radio's Today programme this week reported MPs'...

Carlton fills top corporate affairs role.(Carlton Communications)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Media giant Carlton Communications has hired former Citigate Communications director John Rudofsky as its new director of corporate affairs. Rudofsky starts next week in the post Shaun Williams vacated to become director of corporate...

Final line-up for PRWeek Forum at Belton Woods.(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... The final line-up of speakers for the PRWeek Forum was unveiled this week ahead of the event next month. Gavin Anderson CEO and former Sunday Telegraph City editor Neil Bennett joins the list of roundtable chairs, with former Conservative...

Republic nets consumer and trade job for Andrex.(Republic PR )(Brief Article)
June 14, 2002... Paper products giant Kimberly Clark has hired Republic PR as the retained agency for its flagship Andrex toilet tissue brand. The firm has handed the consumer and trade PR brief to the agency on a retained basis, for what are understood to...