The general consumer trend of health and wellness has infiltrated the beauty market, and many brands are taking this into account for their communications plans.

SOMERSET, NJ: InVentiv Health reported $95.7 million in second quarter revenue for its communications division, a 45% increase compared to the $65.9 million it posted in the like quarter in 2007.

SAN FRANCISCO: The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the state agency that rewards grants for stem cell research, recently chose Fleishman-Hillard for a $115,000 contract to aid the organization's goal to become a thought leader in the field of stem cell research.

TARRYTOWN, NY: Bayer Healthcare opened the consumer launch of its upgraded blood glucose meter, the Contour, with a youth-friendly spokesman for its diabetes division: Nick Jonas, part of the teen band Jonas Brothers.

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation officially launched in mid-July, carrying $1 billion in pledged funding from its founder, a senior chairman at Blackstone Group, worth $2.5 billion, according to Forbes.

After Men's Fitness and Fortune magazine labeled Oklahoma City one of "America's fattest cities" and the "Fast Food Capitol of America," respectively, in 2007, the city's leaders realized that obesity was bad for people's health and bad for business.

In the current economic climate, reaching an international audience of investors has become even more important for US-based companies.

There's no doubt America's major corporations are looking to cut costs and streamline their businesses in the current economic downturn.

BOCA RATON, FL: MedGen, a manufacturer of over-the-counter healthcare products, recently hired independent PR firm TransMedia Group as its AOR.

PHILADELPHIA: Cigna launched an integrated national campaign July 16 to reinforce its rebranding as a health services company using media outreach and promoting a new interactive Web site.