How many times have clients - both internally and externally - come to the PR team seeking creative solutions to solve business challenges? For clients, creativity is the secret sauce that helps differentiate products from competitors, capture new markets, define a reputation, or escape a challenging situation. For agencies, creativity helps land our brands on national and local news, build business with new assignments, and win accolades with shiny industry awards.

The rise in unemployment in early June signals the economic slowdown some economists feared earlier this year, as they saw oil prices top $100 a barrel and the credit crisis gut the balance sheets of major financial institutions. And now it's become personal in the PR business - layoffs are taking a toll.

Rumors never truly die on the Web. Posts might linger online forever, inevitably to be found and disseminated by search engines. As such, many political candidates, or groups under fire from critics, often host "fact-check" sections on their Web sites to help set the record straight. The sections generally require little effort to maintain, but generate significant payback, say PR pros.

Wine producer's movie exposure proves to be a nice complement to its traditional comms tactics

The Minneapolis-St. Paul region provides many opportunities for PR professionals.

Intel has adjusted its communications strategy to reach consumers with a message about the role its processors play in the overall computer experience.

NEW YORK: Virgin Mobile USA is reviewing agencies to serve as its AOR. The review process has already closed, and the company expects to hire an agency by mid-July, according to Jayne Wallace, VP of corporate communications at Virgin Mobile USA.

NEW YORK: Crate and Barrel (C&B) hired Clifford/Bratskeir PR (CBPR) as its first AOR for a one-year account.

Over the past few years, corporate crises such as product recalls and data breaches have received increased media attention. Accordingly, companies now plan for damage control in crisis situations, which has led to greater specialized crisis planning.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ: Advanta selected MWW Group to lead media relations and consumer awareness for its social networking site, Ideablob.com, and nonprofit venture, KivaB4B.org.