NEW YORK: The Piacente Group (TPG) has launched a social media program designed for interaction between public companies and investors.

LOS ANGELES: CyberDefender, an anti-virus and spyware software company, retained The Bohle Company as its AOR.

NEW YORK: LaunchSquad appointed Todd Barrish as MD of its New York operations, effective November 16.

CHICAGO: Hill & Knowlton will add William J. Griffin as SVP and practice leader of the agency's Midwest public affairs sector, effective January 1.

FRANKLIN, MA: Echo Therapeutics, a medical device and specialty pharmaceuticals company, has retained Hayden IR as it nears the completion of two new products.

NEW YORK: '21' Club, a midtown Manhattan restaurant, hired Janine Gordon Associates (JGA) as its AOR, effective December 1.

PHILADELPHIA: The American Law Institute - American Bar Association (ALI-ABA) hired LevLane as its first AOR.

MTV's new reality series, Jersey Shore, debuted last Thursday to some hostile reviews from the public, national organizations, and advertisers.

NEW YORK: Nancy J. Friedman PR (NJFPR) hired Jennifer Maguire Coughlin as MD, effective November 18.

CHICAGO: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) retained MWW Group to lead a media relations campaign that will raise public awareness about AAPD's work, the pediatric dentistry profession, and the importance of children's oral health.