June 30, 2008 Issue of PRWeek

June 30, 2008 Issue of PRWeek

Global Special

Ahead of the Games

The upcoming Summer Olympics in Beijing have sparked protests across the world. For sponsors and other companies, though, the event is a powerful opportunity to ...
 

A dramatic presentation

From basketball to badminton, table tennis to tae kwon do, "more" is the word that can be adequately used to describe NBC's planned coverage of ...
 

Olympic Q&A: Jeff Ruffolo

The main liaison for foreign media at BOCOG, Ruffolo says he had meetings over the course of more than a year in China with various ...
 

Corporate winners

Olympic sponsors are using a variety of creative tactics to maximize their investment.
 

Olympic Q&A: Mary Griswold

Mary Griswold has been working on Olympic programs since the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. She spoke with Alexandra Bruell about what makes Beijing a ...
 

Olympic Q&A: Ann Wool

For Ann Wool, Beijing will be the ninth Olympic Games she has worked on, the first dating back to the 1992 Barcelona Games. She spoke ...
 

PRWeek Column

Companies without cultural or ethnic diversity will not survive

"I am aware of all Internet traditions." Most of you will read that statement as a mere procession of words. To a small number of ...
 

Op-Ed

It takes courage and creativity to be a world-class comms pro

Of all the labels hung on communicators, one of the most desirable is "world class." Originally used to describe athletes capable of performing at an ...
 

Effective comms from East to West

Excitement builds as the world counts down to the Beijing Olympics, now just little more than a month away. More and more US companies are ...
 

PR, marketing must blend together

So often PR pros are asked about the difference between marketing and PR. We all know the lines between these disciplines have blurred for years. ...
 

News Analysis

Icahn's blog puts more pressure on IR pros

Carl Icahn, an activist investor, launched his long-awaited blog last Thursday, at IcahnReport.com.
 

Agency Business

Measuring success starts by asking right questions

In Douglas Adams' book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, a computer program running for seven-and-a-half million years finally determines the answer to "life, the ...
 

Journalist Q&A

Interview: Brandusa Niro

Brandusa Niro, editor-in-chief and founder of IMG publications' The Daily Front Row, www.fashionweekdaily.com, and the Fashion Mini, discusses her career, the success of her publications, ...
 

Media Roundup

Collectibles stories require a unique angle

Whether it's children who buy and trade Pokemon cards, or teens and adults who stand in line waiting for the latest limited edition Nike sneakers ...
 

Focus

The essential tools to become a leader

GE has taken steps to help its communicators not only assess their current performance, but also provide ways for them to further their career.
 

Technique

Cutting work ties without burning bridges

Ending a client-agency relationship should be done in a tactful and courteous manner
 

Campaign

Wi-Ex strengthens its connection

In-building signal loss is a pervasive problem affecting cell phone usage. To counteract this problem, Wi-Ex created zBoost, a device that improves signal reception in ...
 

SoBe hits the slopes to try and boost brand awareness

As one of the most respected events in snowboarding, the US Open, held March 20 to 23, 2008, seemed like a great place for SoBe ...
 

Greyhound's Boltbus drives attention to its new services

When Greyhound launched its new Boltbus service, the company wanted to challenge all the prevailing stereotypes about bus travel in the competitive Northeastern market.
 

Newsmaker

Lopez places Ticketmaster's brand center stage

Albert Lopez was so busy upon his arrival at Ticketmaster in April, he didn't have time to announce his appointment as VP of strategic communications ...
 

PR Play of the Week

Italian 'Vogue' touts different side of beauty

The fashion industry often is criticized for its singular portrayal of women: long-limbed, scary skinny, perennially adolescent, and, say some, overwhelmingly "white."
 

Toolbox

Online videos and branding, market research tips and more

How can I use online video to promote our brand?
 

Expert Advice

Media Analysis

Huffington Post to expand with local sites

To succeed in the highly competitive Chicago local media market - hometown of Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) - the liberal-leaning Huffington Post ...
 

Critical Hit

'American Baby' helps Bravado bras

Who is your client? What are its media goals?
 

Editorial

Avoiding politics is not a solid long-term game plan

This week's Global Special (see p. 13) reveals that many corporate sponsors of the upcoming Olympics have focused their messaging on supporting the spirit of ...
 

Fact File

The FCC takes a closer look at product placement on TV

Use of product placement and integration has surged in recent years, due in part to consumers' ability to skip commercials. Now, the Federal Communications Commission ...
 

Launch Pad

Russ Berrie dives right into its launch of SeaPals plush toys

Russ Berrie and Co. will introduce consumers to its new plush toy line, SeaPals, a part of its Applause brand, on July 2, at Ripley's ...