Katie Connolly spent this year covering the McCain campaign for Newsweek's special 2008 election project. Connolly was granted behind-the-scenes access to the campaign with the agreement that none of her reporting would be published until after Election Day.

WASHINGTON: As President-elect Barack Obama's team transitions to the White House, a number of groups are building campaigns directed at the new administration and Congress.

After seven years of digging, the George Washington Foundation (GWF) of Stafford County, VA, knew it had found the first president's boyhood home at Ferry Farm in Virginia. It turned to CRT/Tanaka to help it with a media outreach effort.

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.

AOL launched a new Web site, "Nice One! Stories of Thanks & Giving," to encourage users to donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

In recent years, the compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) has become synonymous with all things environmentally conscious. This generalization can also be a curse because concerns that plagued early versions of the bulb become similarly associated with the product.

Dealing with global media can be difficult, but if done correctly brings numerous rewards.

Consumers are holding their wallets closely nowadays, so promotional giveaways are a way for PR pros to generate buzz for their brands by capitalizing on the public's appreciation for free merchandise. However, the promos should be tied to an effort or brand, says Natalie Boden, president of Boden PR.

In an attempt to connect with current and prospective consumers, automakers are devising lifestyle and experiential PR efforts to promote their vehicles.

Blackberry Storm launches; Facebook looks global; Angelina Jolie brokers deal with 'People'; and more