LOS ANGELES: Three Hollywood groups are using a new campaign to fight for equality for people with disabilities.

NEW YORK: The Ad Council introduced its first campaign focusing on LGBT issues on October 8, partnering with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). The campaign and its PSAs, which feature actress Hilary Duff and comedian Wanda Sykes, encourage teenagers to think before they speak and stop using anti-LGBT language.

CASPER, WY: Ten years ago the death of 21-year-old college student Matthew Shepard inspired a movement in the LGBT community against hate crimes. Now, the foundation that bears his name is taking time to remember Shepard, continue to tell his story, and engage people with its "Campaign to Erase Hate."

NJ Nets seek out new audience; McCain campaign targets Obama's image; Bibles get a rebrand; and more.

MIAMI: The Central American airline TACA will retool its brand through 2009 to better connect with what it calls the "modern Latin" audience.

WASHINGTON: The American Cancer Society (ACS) is undergoing a competitive review for its creative firms, including PR, and expects to announce a new AOR in the next month.

ATLANTA: Coca-Cola relaunched its Full Throttle Fury energy drink September 30 with a new campaign and spokesman, hip-hop artist Big Boi. The effort focuses on in-person events with Big Boi, one half of hip-hop duo OutKast, and music in general, to reach its target audience of African-American males.

McDonald's is extending its Hispanic outreach with the Fiesta Tour, a traveling exhibit with Latin music artifacts. The tour will visit cities before and after the November 13 Latin Grammy Awards in Houston. "One of the things we know about our Hispanic customers is that music is one of their passion areas," said Cristina Alfaro, manager of US Communications for McDonald's.

MINNEAPOLIS: General Mills entered into a one-year partnership with Univision on September 23 for the latest phase of its multi-brand Hispanic marketing initiative, "Qué Rica Vida" ("What a Good Life").

LOS ANGELES: The Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) chose Valencia & Co., the separate public affairs arm of Valencia, Perez & Echeveste PR, as its AOR, effective September 25.