WASHINGTON: A number of organizations are executing campaigns to keep HIV prevention in focus for World AIDS Day on December 1. MTV, the Global AIDS Alliance, and AIDS.gov are three organizations developing PR for the campaigns, ranging from rallies in Washington to new media initiatives.

BLOOMINGTON, IL: State Farm Insurance plans to conduct a selective review for a firm to collaborate with its internal communications team on corporate communications and product PR.

The success of online layaway payment processor eLayaway - registered users went from 7,000 to over 75,000 over the last few weeks - is a prominent example of the return of the service made popular during the Great Depression.

SOMERSET, NJ: InVentiv Communications reported third-quarter revenues of $84.1 million, an increase of 14% from the $73.8 million it posted during the same period last year.

NORTHRIDGE, CA: Pharmavite, maker of Nature Made vitamins and Soyjoy nutrition bars, named Porter Novelli its AOR after a procurement-led review. Douglas Jones, corporate communications and PR manager for the Northridge, CA-based company, noted PN's advocacy work and its strength in strategy as reasons for its selection.

WASHINGTON: Biotechnology trade association BIO is using interest around CBS' new Eleventh Hour drama to tackle misinterpretations about its industry.

ATLANTA: The American Cancer Society (ACS) named Brodeur Partners its AOR October 17 after a competitive three-round process.

The unbranded effort from the pharmaceutical company will help "reinforce Merck's leadership in HIV and AIDS," said Peter Matheson Gay, SVP at Cohn & Wolfe, which is AOR for the company's infectious diseases portfolio.

WALTHAM, MA: PerkinElmer, a technology and life sciences company, recently selected Porter Novelli as its AOR in a move to consolidate its PR agencies and expand its global reach.

The March of Dimes aims to put the issue of premature births at the forefront this election season with its Petition for Preemies.