MIAMI: Smaller US banks are finding unique PR opportunities to assert their healthy states despite otherwise dire economic news.

YONKERS, NY: On this coming Monday, Consumer Reports planned to begin a public-education campaign to inform shoppers about credit card debt.

SAN FRANCISCO: A reactive, rather than proactive strategy helped to fell gay rights activists in California, PR pros said. In contrast, the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign in California used strong messaging, which played an important role in the proposition's 52% to 47% passing on November 4.

BOSTON: Software company Novell has selected PAN Communications as its North American AOR following a competitive review. The agency was awarded a six-figure contract, said Ian Bruce, Novell's director of global PR.

Auto leaders head to the Hill; atheists start campaign; 'The New York Times' shutters sports magazine; and more

New Moon Girl Media, creator of a magazine, New Moon Girls, featuring user-generated content by and for girls ages 8 to 12, introduced a new social networking Web site, NewMoonGirls.com, to expand its brand online.

WASHINGTON: Ketchum-owned lobbying agency The Washington Group (TWG) on November 14 merged with Clark & Weinstock, sister Omnicom-owned government relations and lobbying firm.

NEW YORK: PRWeek released its 10th anniversary issue on November 17, making all content from the issue available to registered users of prweekus.com for one week.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ: Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is reaching out to mothers offended by an ad for the company's Ibuprofen brand, Motrin, which equated carrying a baby in a sling to a painful fashion choice.

NEW YORK: Medialink reported third quarter revenues of $5.3 million for the three months ending September 30, a 28.4% decrease compared to the same quarter in 2007.