CAMBRIDGE, MA: Sermo, the social networking site for US physicians, launched its first national awareness campaign July 1 to encourage doctors to sign an open letter, created by the site's physician community, which calls for change in healthcare.

PARIS: In response to Monday's court ruling upholding LVMH's claims against eBay with regard to selling counterfeit products, eBay held a press conference in Paris and issued global press releases throughout the day, announcing its position and intentions.

NEW YORK: Cohn & Wolfe has merged with sister WPP Group agency GCI Group. The combined company will retain the name Cohn & Wolfe (C&W). C&W CEO Donna Imperato will remain CEO, and GCI Group CEO Jeff Hunt will remain president.

NEW YORK: Publicis Groupe has acquired corporate and financial PR firm Kekst and Company. Kekst will continue to operate under its own name and will be led by founder CEO Gershon Kekst.

SAVANNAH, GA: The Gretsch Company, which produces drums and guitars, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year with an unsigned artists competition.

NEW YORK: Virgin Mobile has selected Ruder Finn as its AOR following a competitive review.

LANHAM, MD: An estimated 68% of black Americans are online, compared to 71% of all Americans, according to a survey from Radio One and research firm Yankelovich.

LOS ANGELES: Disney will inject its Web site with a new boost of entertainment when a revamped Disney.com is unveiled later this summer, and the company is reaching out to key constituents in the online and mobile space to inform them of what the company is doing for the updated site.

NEW YORK: The Center for Communication Compliance introduced an online program for PR professionals to train and receive certification about regulatory issues that affect the healthcare industry. It is the first standardized program of its kind, said Ilyssa Levins, president and founder of New York-based CCC.

NEW YORK: New Era Cap Co., the makers of baseball teams' official in-field caps, will set up a miniature stadium for kids in the trendy New York neighborhood of Soho in order to promote its All-Star Game Major League Baseball (MLB) merchandise ahead of the fray.