NEW YORK: Clothing designer Marc Ecko parlayed a tiff with the city into a wealth of free media coverage for an upcoming video game he produced in partnership with Atari.

NEW YORK: Ad revenue for b-to-b publications is rising, found a Business Information Network report for June 2005.

LOS ANGELES: The almost total lack of new city PR contracts following the Fleishman-Hillard billing scandal here has been alleviated slightly with the release of a three-year, $4.1 million RFP for communications and advertising work from a major city depa

ANGLETON, TX: Now that jurors have handed down a $253.5 million verdict against Merck, healthcare marketers are left debating what the massive award means for the future of direct-to-consumer outreach.

NEW YORK: Sandra Sokoloff has joined Porter Novelli as SVP, director of national media relations. She will report to Michael Ramah, partner, director of strategic planning and research.

WASHINGTON: Andy Morris and Co. is working with Pilot Pen of America on promoting “The World’s Longest Letter,” a campaign designed to get elementary school students interested in their nation’s affairs and excited about writing.

SAN FRANCISCO: Public utility Pacific Gas & Electric is aggressively courting the media after an electrical transformer exploded in downtown San Francisco.

NEW YORK: Euro RSCG Magnet has appointed Steve Hoechster as SVP and leader of the agency’s technology practice. Magnet also named VP Carol Edwards as deputy practice leader.

WASHINGTON: The battle over John Roberts' possible ascension to the Supreme Court claimed its first casualty among left wing communications pros last week.

LOS ANGELES: Anheuser-Busch has created two VP-level posts to help it better manage marketing to Hispanic and black consumers. Both positions will be filled by longtime company executives Henry Dominquez and Johnny Furr Jr.