PR Week (UK) articles from June 2003

PR Week (UK) archives from June 2003

Cable & Wireless to review PR amid job cuts.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Cable & Wireless is to review its entire UK communications operation following news this week that the group is shedding 1,500 jobs amid a sweeping restructure. The struggling telecoms group said it 'cannot rule out' axing PR jobs as part...

WS adds Chancellor's brother to media unit.(Andrew Brown joins Weber Shandwick's strategic media relations division)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Weber Shandwick has recruited Chancellor Gordon Brown's brother, TV political editor Andrew Brown, as the latest in a string of high-profile journalists to join its strategic media relations division. Joining this week from ITN, where for...

BMJ editor stands by attack on way drug firms use PR.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... The editor of the British Medical Journal has defended last week's controversial issue, which branded the relationship between doctors and pharma firms and the use of promotional activity as 'grubby'. BMJ editor Richard Smith this week...

Telewest replaces Brunswick with CDR.(hires financial public relations advisers Citigate Dewe Rogerson )(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Telewest has hired financial PR advisers Citigate Dewe Rogerson to help revamp its corporate comms efforts as the company reaches the final stage of its debt restructuring. The cable and broadband group has dropped three-year incumbent...

Shine MD Frohlich quits to join new Chime PR venture.(Michael Frohlich to set up spin-off PR venture for Chime Communications)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Shine Communications MD Michael Frohlich has quit to set up a spin-off PR venture for Chime Communications. Chairman of Chime's PR businesses Kevin Murray this week confirmed Frohlich has been recruited to assist Chime chairman Lord Bell...

Finsbury takes top spot in latest Deal Watch ranking.
June 6, 2003... Finsbury has secured first place in the UK M&A PR adviser league for the first time in nine months, according to the latest Deal Watch figures. The agency beat previous high ranker Brunswick to the top slot, advising on ten deals last...

Australian Weddings plans UK push.(start-up company that arranges weddings is looking for an agency to handle consumer public relations)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... A start-up company that plans to arrange weddings in Australia for British couples is on the hunt for a UK-based agency to handle a consumer PR campaign. Eight agencies, all of which are understood to offer either PR, marketing or both...

Aventis UK set to drive PR plan for cancer treatment.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Aventis UK is to launch a promotional push later this summer for its cancer treatment Taxotere. The work is being handled by Interaction Marketing and Public Relations Consultants, which will promote the use of the product in treating lung...

Harrison Cowley picks up external PR job for law firm.(Shepherd and Wedderburn)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn, which counts the Department of Trade and Industry and the Scottish Executive among its clients, has hired Harrison Cowley to run its media relations. The account was won after a review that included seeing...

STOP PRESS: Four weeks to enter Awards.
June 6, 2003... AWARDS: Readers have just four weeks left to enter the 2003 PRWeek Awards - the deadline for entries is 7 July. Application forms can be downloaded from www.prweek.com/events/index.cfm?site=1.

STOP PRESS: Rolls-Royce hires Darby-Walker.(Maria Darby-Walker hired to help lead financial and corporate PR)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... FINANCIAL: Rolls-Royce has hired former Barclays director of group media relations Maria Darby-Walker to help lead financial and corporate PR. She joins as head of corporate media relations after closing down the agency she founded, Joined Up...

STOP PRESS: Travelodge confirms appointment.(of Cohn & Wolfe to handle consumer public relations)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... CONSUMER: Budget hotel firm Travelodge has confirmed the appointment of Cohn & Wolfe to handle its consumer PR, following an agency review (PRWeek, 23 May). C&W replaces Storm Communications on the consumer remit.

STOP PRESS: Laing joins Chelgate.(Alan Laing)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... PUBLIC AFFAIRS: Former campaigns manager in the anti-euro No Campaign coalition Alan Laing has joined public affairs firm Chelgate. Laing was appointed as senior counsellor last week.

STOP PRESS: Ingle associate director.(David Ingle appointed an associate director at Waggener Edstrom)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... TECH: Former Edelman technology head David Ingle has resurfaced as an associate director at Waggener Edstrom. Ingle joined last month, having spent the past two years as a freelance consultant.

STOP PRESS: Tear joins Clear Communications.(Chris Tear)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... DEFENCE: Former BAE Systems Avionics Group media and PR manager Chris Tear has joined Clear Communications as a director. At Clear, Tear hopes to increase clients in the defence and aerospace sectors.

STOP PRESS: Survey finds opinion divided.(PROs are divided on payment-by-results)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... SURVEY: An International Public Relations Association survey of 12 senior UK-based PROs has found opinion divided on payment-by-results (PBR). While four PROs, including TMA Communiations MD Tony Meehan are against, five, including Edelman CEO...

STOP PRESS: Haymarket Exhibitions hires Firefly.(Firefly Communications hired to handle public relations for technology show)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... CONSUMER: Haymarket Exhibitions has hired Firefly Communications to handle PR for technology show Stuff Live, which takes place this September. Firefly will use PR stunts, guerilla marketing, competitions and promotional campaigns.

STOP PRESS: Chandler Chicco should be number six.(Correction Notice)
June 6, 2003... CLARIFICATION: Chandler Chicco should have been listed at number six in the Top 25 Healthcare PR ranking (PRWeek, 30 May), with healthcare fee income of pounds 2,345,119, including pounds 578,500 from medical education.

Next Fifteen firms August.One and JPR set to merge.(August.One Communications to merge with Joe Public Relations)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... August.One Communications is to merge with sister NextFifteen Communications Group agency Joe Public Relations. The merged company will trade as August.One Communications, with its consumer division branded as Joe Public Relations. The...

Hamleys reviews PR and considers change of policy.(toy store is considering hiring its first retained consumer agency)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Toy store Hamleys is reviewing its PR needs as the firm considers hiring its first retained consumer agency. Hamleys, which this week was the subject of a possible takeover by Nordic firm Baugur, has previously hired consumer PR agencies on...

Camelot comms team set for London move.(public relations team to be relocated to central London)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Camelot is to relocate its PR team from Hertfordshire to central London as the Lotto operator bids to turn around its media fortunes. Reports last week highlighted a 12 per cent year-on-year slump in ticket sales for the twice-weekly Lotto...

Motor Show Live to pitch a pounds 1m PR brief for May 2004.
June 6, 2003... One of the UK's largest exhibitions, Motor Show Live, is staging a mega PR pitch for around pounds 1m worth of work for next summer's show. Organisers of the show, The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, said four pieces of business...

Environment Agency is to hire firm for floods work.(staging pitch to find full service agency for campaign)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... The Environment Agency is staging a pitch to find an agency to handle its flood awareness work for the next five years. The account, currently held by five-year incumbent Circus, has a budget of around pounds 2m-a-year and includes PR,...

Freeserve brings in Citigate to help shape UK internet.(hires Citigate Public Affairs as its first retained lobbying agency)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Internet services provider Freeserve has hired Citigate Public Affairs as its first retained lobbying agency. The agency has been appointed on fees understood to be in the region of pounds 100,000, following a five-way pitch against...

Corporate raiders threaten Cordiant plans for takeover.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... The investors that campaigned for last year's resignation of Cordiant Communications CEO Michael Bungey are setting their sights on the group once more, demanding a boardroom clearout that could threaten takeover plans. Cordiant's leading...

Frank expansion will not stop with House PR merger.(Frank PR will be merged with other niche firms )(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Frank PR chairman Graham Goodkind plans to merge his agency with other niche firms, following the completion of a merger with fellow consumer shop House PR last week. Goodkind said he was already in 'preliminary discussions' with another...

Elle publisher first major client of Ian Monk Associates.(hired by Hachette Filipacchi UK)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Former hatch-group executive Ian Monk has unveiled his first major client as Elle, Red and TV Hits publisher Hachette Filipacchi UK. The client was named as Monk officially set up Ian Monk Associates, following his departure from...

Philpotts takes up new CEO post for Kinross & Render.(Paul Philpotts )(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Former Ogilvy PR Worldwide European president Paul Philpotts has joined Kinross & Render as its first CEO. K&R co-founder Sara Render created the role in a bid to split her responsibilities and allow her more time to focus on clients. ...

Mason Williams lands Dior launch.(hired by Christian Dior for public relations work)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... French fashion house Christian Dior is planning a PR blitz surrounding the opening of its first store in Manchester. The group - known for both its fashion accessories and fragrances - has hired the Manchester office of PR agency Mason...

Beatwax scoops nostalgia market client.(Beatwax Communications hired to handle consumer public relations for bigbluetube.com)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Beatwax Communications has scooped another nostalgia market client, having been hired to handle consumer PR for bigbluetube.com, which offers limited-edition prints of classic sporting moments personally signed by the star in the photo. Beatwax...

MS&L hunting for Ersboell replacement.(Manning Selvage & Lee seeks a replacement for Charlotte Ersboell)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Manning Selvage & Lee has drawn up a shortlist of candidates in the search for a replacement for Charlotte Ersboell, who left her role as UK and European healthcare chief last week. Ersboell quit to join Chandler Chicco Agency's sister firm...

First Direct wraps up PR restructure with two new hires.(Alison McMinn and David Whitely)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Branchless banking giant First Direct has completed an in-house PR restructure with the recruitment of two media relations managers. Ptarmigan Consultants consultant Alison McMinn joined last week and Consumers' Association assistant media...

PUBLIC SECT0R: Lottery bodies will plan joint comms efforts.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... The set-to-be merged lottery handout bodies, the New Opportunities Fund and The Community Fund, are to discuss joint handling of PR at a meeting later this month. Proposals, particularly regarding internal comms, will be presented at the...

PUBLIC SECT0R: Kingston to boost PR after Audit Commission report.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames is to revamp its PR efforts following criticism by the Audit Commission of the way it communicates. Despite being one of just 22 local authorities to gain an 'excellent' rating in the commission's...

PUBLIC SECT0R: Rethink campaign uses movie angle.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Mental health charity Rethink has announced details of its biggest awareness-raising push since changing its name from the National Schizophrenia Fellowship last year. Called Rethink Week, the campaign has cost the charity around pounds...

PUBLIC SECT0R: Vale of Glamorgan review prompts a revamp of comms.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... The Vale of Glamorgan Council has put in place a series of changes designed to improve its communications. It follows a review overseen by the council's most senior PRO, communications officer Estelle Hitchon, who joined in July 2002 from...

PUBLIC SECT0R: Stonewall looking to fill its PA post as Deshmukh leaves.(gay rights group is seeking a director of parliamentary affairs following departure of Sacha Deshmukh)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Gay rights group Stonewall is to launch a hunt for a director of parliamentary affairs following the announcement this week that Sacha Deshmukh is to quit the role to return to consultancy work. Deshmukh has announced that in August he is...

PUBLIC SECT0R BRIEF: Beckham to promote Waltham Forest.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... WALTHAM FOREST: The London Borough of Waltham Forest is using one of its most famous former residents, David Beckham, to promote the area. The council has developed an online 'Beckham Tourist Trail' of the player's former haunts. Attractions...

PUBLIC SECT0R BRIEF: RNIB free eye tests.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... CHARITY: The RNIB is urging parents to take their children for free eye tests as part of its Children's Eye Health Week campaign, which launched this week. Media relations includes a report showing that as many as one in five children could be...

PUBLIC SECT0R BRIEF: Barton to quit.(Birmingham's European Capital of Culture bid)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... WEST MIDLANDS: Mik Barton, head of media relations for Birmingham's bid to become European Capital of Culture, is to quit this month to join West Midlands public transport body Centro as media manager. He has been involved in Birmingham's bid...

PUBLIC SECT0R BRIEF: Crime Unit offers PR advice.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... CRIME: The National High Tech Crime Unit is offering PR advice to corporate victims of crime, in a bid to persuade more to prosecute. Unit PRO Felicity Bull said too much corporate tech crime goes unreported as firms fear bad publicity about...

PUBLIC SECT0R BRIEF: Tommy's to launch campaign.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... CHARITY: Tommy's is to launch a campaign to encourage commuters to give up their seats for pregnant women. Bumps on Seats is part of the baby charity's National Pregnancy Week, which runs from 1 to 8 September. Ex-Big Brother contestant Jade...

PUBLIC SECT0R BRIEF: Cricketers hire Equanim Le Fevre.(Professional Cricketers' Association hires public relations firm)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... SPORT: The Professional Cricketers' Association has hired Equanim Le Fevre to handle PR. The agency will provide strategic comms advice to PCA chief executive Richard Bevan and advise on PR efforts around televised matches. It will also help...

PUBLIC SECT0R BRIEF: Community Service Volunteers targets businesses.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... CHARITY: Community Service Volunteers is targeting businesses this week to try to raise awareness of its annual Make A Difference Day event on 25 October. So far, regular corporate supporters include Barclays. As part of a media relations push...

INTERNATIONAL: Bayer plans Philippines PR for Levitra launch.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... MANILA: Pharmaceuticals group Bayer is planning a PR blitz across the Philippines to launch Levitra - the region's long-awaited competitor to impotence drug Viagra. Bayer has hired Edelman-affiliate EON to handle the Philippines launch,...

INTERNATIONAL: Cisco to search for a corp agency of record in the US.(Cisco Systems to launch search for public relations firm)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... SAN JOSE, CA: Tech giant Cisco Systems is on the verge of launching a search for its first corporate agency of record (AOR) in the US. Cisco senior director of corporate PR Claudia Ceniceros confirmed the IT networking company was due to...

INTERNATIONAL: Ethnic media was most thorough in coverage of SARS.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... LOS ANGELES, CA: Ethnic media outlets were quicker and more thorough in covering the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) outbreak than their mainstream counterparts, according to a new study. California-based Intertrend Communications...

INTERNATIONAL: Inforpress signs up to UN's global CSR programme.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... MADRID: Spanish PR company Inforpress has become the first PR agency in Spain to sign up to the United Nations Global Compact corporate social responsibility programme. Global Compact, launched in 1999, aims to bring together UN agencies...

INTERNATIONAL: PR still under-valued in marketing mix.(findings of a survey of 328 chief marketing officers, marketing vice-presidents, marketing directors and brand managers)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... NEW YORK: PR is currently under-utilised in the marketing mix, according to the majority of US marketing executives and brand managers polled in PRWeek/MS&L's Marketing Management Survey. The study - which surveyed 328 chief marketing...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: FEMA looking for comms firm.(Federal Emergency Management Agency seeks firm to conduct campaign)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... WASHINGTON: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is looking for a comms firm to conduct a five-year, pounds 7m to pounds 9m integrated campaign, to encourage more Americans to participate in its National Flood Insurance Programme....

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Ikea chooses Inforfi.(to handle publicity surrounding the opening of its first store in Lisbon)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... LISBON: Swedish furniture giant Ikea has chosen Portuguese full-service PR shop Inforfi to handle publicity surrounding the opening of its first store in Lisbon next March. The agency will carry out PR and media relations for the company in...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: DaimlerChrysler promotes Labous.(Stephane Labous promoted to director of communications and marketing in the group's international headquarters)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... DETROIT: DaimlerChrysler has promoted its marketing director for France, Stephane Labous, to director of comms and marketing in the group's international headquarters in Detroit. Labous heads the car giant's Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Dorton launches firm.(Patrick Dorton has launched Rational Public Relations)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... WASHINGTON: Former Arthur Andersen media relations chief Patrick Dorton has launched his own US PR firm, Rational Public Relations. The consultancy will handle strategic corporate comms, public affairs and crisis/litigation PR. Dorton was...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Carat hires Ulled.(Ulled Communications hired for public relations across Spain and Portugal)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... MADRID: Media and marketing research firm Carat has hired Ulled Communications for PR across Spain and Portugal. Ulled's offices in Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon will handle the brief, with Madrid director Albert Concepcion heading the account....

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Plunkett wins RAI brief.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... DUBLIN: Plunkett Communications has won a PR brief for the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI). It will help the trade body develop media relations strategies, in particular working on the RAI's Value Menu initiative, recently launched...

INTERNATIONAL BRIEF: Brodeur adds Recognition PR.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... SYDNEY: Brodeur Worldwide has added Australian tech specialist Recognition PR to its ten-strong regional subsidiary and affiliate network, as an exclusive affiliate. Brodeur said this will see the agencies share client business, but does not...

MEDIA: Davey's new mag will focus on style in UK's club scene.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Former editor of music magazine Touch Toussaint Davey is to launch an urban lifestyle title called Tense Magazine later this month. He said that unlike other music titles it will focus more on the UK club scene lifestyle, rather than just...

MEDIA: Gay.com targets women.
June 6, 2003... Gay.com, the news and lifestyle website for the gay and lesbian community, is to revamp its content in a bid to attract female users. Mark Watson, UK manager of the site's owner, PlanetOut Partners, said: 'We are looking at how we serve...

MEDIA: Rivas given ed director role at EuroNews.(Luis Rivas appointed editorial director of European TV news channel)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Luis Rivas has been appointed editorial director of European TV news channel EuroNews with a brief to expand the station's coverage. The channel broadcasts in seven languages simultaneously, including English, German and French, with a...

MEDIA BRIEF: King deputy editor.(Stephanie King promoted to deputy editor of the Consume section at magazine Time Out)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... TIME OUT: Stephanie King has been promoted to deputy editor of the Consume section at London listings magazine Time Out. Formerly a writer on the section, she will now deputise for section editor Neil McLennan, who joined from the Evening...

MEDIA BRIEF: Girl Talk relaunched.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... BBC MAGAZINES: Girl Talk, the BBC Magazines title for girls aged seven to 11, has been relaunched for the first time in eight years. Four pages have been added to the magazine, but romance and make-up remain off the editorial agenda. The editor...

MEDIA BRIEF: McNeill editor of S2.(Phil McNeill has been appointed editor)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... SUNDAY EXPRESS: Phil McNeill has been appointed editor of the Sunday Express features and TV supplement, S2. Formerly deputy editor of the paper, McNeill quit to freelance last year. He replaces Louise Robinson and Margaret Hussey, who are...

MEDIA BRIEF: handbag.com redesigned.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... HANDBAG.COM: Women's lifestyle website handbag.com, which has 651,200 users, has been redesigned. With a core audience of 25 to 44-year-old women, the new design is more magazine-led in style, according to brand director Alicen Stenner. 'We...

MEDIA BRIEF: Hamilton news editor.(Sebastian Hamilton apointed news editor of the Mail on Sunday)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... MAIL ON SUNDAY: Sebastian Hamilton is to be news editor of the Mail on Sunday. He replaces Paul Field, who has joined The Sun's newsdesk as part of editor Rebekah Wade's staff shake-up. Hamilton is currently deputy editor of the Sunday...

MEDIA BRIEF: Wazir T2 features editor.(Burhan Wazir appointed deputy features editor of T2, The Times's features supplement)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... THE TIMES: Burhan Wazir has been appointed deputy features editor of T2, The Times's features supplement. Currently a reporter at The Observer, Wazir will report to T2 editor Sandra Parsons. He replaces Vincent Graff, who moved to The...

MEDIA BRIEF: Bee to edit Harvey Nicholls magazine.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... HN: Deborah Bee, former editor of the recent, failed resurrection of 1960s style bible Nova, is to edit the Harvey Nicholls customer magazine. She takes over at HN from Bronwyn Cosgrave, who has quit the post after less than a month. The glossy...

MEDIA BRIEF: Spaces launches 26 June.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... SPACES: A bi-monthly interiors title targeting younger home owners is to launch on 26 June. Spaces is owned and edited by Lynda Clarke, former editor of Traditional Homes & Interiors magazine. Editorial is divided into three main sections aimed...

OPINION: Blair putting too much faith in the power of spin.
June 6, 2003... I bet you couldn't have wiped the smile off Alastair Campbell's face as he flicked through the newspapers last week, which were stuffed full of great pictures of his war hero Tony Blair in Iraq. As PR stunts go, the Prime Minister's photo...

EDITORIAL: Enquiry essential on war spin claim.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... When is a casus belli not a casus belli? When it's wrapped up in allegations of spin and counterspin, media manipulation, half-truths and outright lies. This basic question - of when war is justified - has puzzled philosophers for...

OPINION: Govt must deliver promised reform.(Civil Service Bill)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... The subject of Government credibility cropped up again this week, as the Public Administration Select Committee (PASC) tired of waiting for Downing Street to publish the long-promised Civil Service Bill, putting the role and number of special...

ANALYSIS: Graduates ready to face real world.
June 6, 2003... With ever-greater numbers of graduates hoping to pursue careers in PR, Milkround Online conducted exclusive research on how much they know about the industry. 'I'd like to work in PR because I'm a good communicator and you get to go to...

ANALYSIS: Euro poll decision sees PR efforts stepped up.
June 6, 2003... As the Government prepares to reveal its decision on whether Britain has met the criteria to join the euro, the pro and anti groups' PR campaigns are reaching fever pitch. This weekend, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown will meet their...

FINANCIAL PR: Market Watch.(Public relations firms)
June 6, 2003... Alistair Ray discovers emerging confidence among financial PR firms amid new corporate priorities and hopes that the bear market has finally bottomed out The smart-suited swagger has become less exaggerated, and job losses depopulate...

CAMPAIGNS: Littlewoods is back in news with pools PR - Consumer PR.(Littlewoods Pools)
June 6, 2003... Client: Littlewoods PR Team: Brahm PR Campaign: 40th anniversary of the Pools Panel Timescale: September 2002 - February 2003 Budget: pounds 6,000 For years, families huddled in front of the TV or radio at 4.45pm on a Saturday...

CAMPAIGNS: Clivedon puts club move on local agenda - Community Relations.(Clivedon Estates)
June 6, 2003... Client: Clivedon Estates PR Team: SmithGrundon Partners Campaign: Dulwich Hamlet FC's ground move Timescale: Ongoing from December 2002 Budget: Between pounds 10,000 and pounds 15,000 The ground was redeveloped in 1992 and is...

PROFILE: Simon Farley, BAFTA - BAFTA's Farley set to boost sponsorships.(British Academy of Film and Television Arts)
June 6, 2003... A changing BAFTA looks to Simon Farley's wealth of fundraising experience When asked how much money he thinks he has made for employers, ranging from the Greater London Authority to the British Film Institute, Simon Farley looks aloft,...

DIARY: Former hotel PR chief Stancer takes up challenge of trek to South Pole.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Just days after British polar explorer Pen Hadow returned triumphantly from the first solo expedition to the North Pole through Canada, news emerges of a yet more daring feat. Former Park Lane Hotel PR director Rosie Stancer - a veteran of...

DIARY: easyJet uses complaint to beat Beckham's team at its own charity game.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... No-frills airline easyJet's PR team is attempting to turn an apparent image-rights blunder into a promotional triumph. Its latest ad campaign used - without permission - an image of David Beckham sporting his ridiculous 'corn-rows' haircut...

DIARY: PR managers to be let loose on business world.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... TV production company RDF Media has a proposition for all those shameless, self-publicising PROs out there. The firm is on the hunt for managers from the PR sector to take part in a new Channel 4 series, working title Boss Swap, which will...

DIARY: PA tries to mould PROs to its liking with launch of new training course.(Press Association)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Journalists are notorious whingers about the techniques employed by their PR counterparts. So hacks at the Press Association have decided to take the bull by the horns and iron out all those journo gripes by training PROs in the art of media...

DIARY: Phonecall gets daddy's girl parking fine refund.(Greene King Pub Company avoids bad public relations)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... PRWeek hereby launches its hunt for the director at a London PR agency who is alleged to have exploited his media nous in a bid to get his daughter off a pounds 70 fine incurred after her car was clamped outside a pub in Welwyn Garden City. ...

HP names new PR chief for life after merger.(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Computing giant Hewlett-Packard has replaced ex-PR chief Nicola Adamson, promoting her former number two to head of corporate communications for the UK and Ireland. Kate Winn takes on the post three months after Adamson quit to join...

Interflora pitches for consumer PR agency.(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Flower-delivery network Interflora is staging a pitch for consumer PR agency support across the UK and Ireland. Interflora interim head of marketing David Standing confirmed this week that he plans to hold 'initial chemistry meetings' with...

Capital to handle interim Olympic bid PR for London.(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... The group representing London's 2012 Olympic bid has appointed Capital PR to handle communications on an interim basis until a bid team is in place. The Capital work will be handled by director Jackie Brock-Doyle, who previously worked on...