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July 07, 2003 Issue of PRWeek

Bernhardt bought by Noblemen in bid to expand services

PORTLAND, OR: Investment banking firm The Noblemen Group has acquired The Bernhardt Agency, a virtual hi-tech agency.

Blanc to retire from role as director of H&K tech practice

NEW YORK: Maureen Blanc, cofounder of Blanc & Otus (the tech firm that merged with Hill & Knowlton in 1999), is retiring.

Farmers turn to PR to get past their bumpkin image

WASHINGTON: The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) has hired Aker Partners to launch a public education effort to promote accurate perceptions of farmers.

Gold's taps Riester-Robb to help attract wider range of consumers

LOS ANGELES: Gold's Gym has chosen Venice, CA-based Riester-Robb Pacific as its AOR for both corporate and franchise operations.

TNN rebranding to proceed despite Spike Lee setback

LOS ANGELES: The New TNN is going ahead with its planned rebranding efforts to transform itself into "the first network for men," said VP of ...

Five agencies team up as Lumin network

Richmond, VA: Five midsize agencies have banded together to develop new PR products and provide business education for their employees.

IPG PR agencies in Asia-Pacific reshuffle

SINGAPORE: Under the recent IPG grouping of Weber Shandwick, Golin/Harris International, and FutureBrand, changes to the organizational structures of the two PR arms have been ...

Golden and Babbit promoted into new roles at GCI Group

New York: GCI Group has promoted Ellen Golden to EVP and director of its North American consumer marketing practice. Joel Babbit has been named to ...

Burson study finds corporate rumors to spread quickly

NEW YORK: A study conducted by Burson-Marsteller's research unit found that 81% of internet opinion leaders report forwarding via internet a rumor or other piece ...

BroadVision ready to take on PR firm after spell of quiet

REDWOOD CITY, CA: After a year of keeping quiet to focus on finances and ride out media scrutiny of hi-tech companies, BroadVision is searching for ...

Atlantic City bets on WS to boost tourism

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ: As part of an effort to reposition the Northeast's gambling mecca, the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority (ACCVA) has named Weber ...

Wayport taps GCI to tackle its rivals in wireless arena

AUSTIN, TX: WiFi pioneer Way-port has switched PR firms as "hot spot" competition heats up across the country.

Pforzheimer takes on EVP job at Ruder Finn/Switzer

San Francisco: Harry Pforzheimer, the former president of Edelman's Western region, is joining the San Francisco/Bay Area office of Ruder Finn/ Switzer as EVP.

GYMR hired to run PR for Ad Council's healthy living push

NEW YORK: The Ad Council, in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded a $125,000, six-month account to GYMR. The Washington, ...

Morin steps down as CEO of PR Newswire

NEW YORK: Charlie Morin, CEO of PR Newswire (PRN) since 1999, has resigned to focus on a small "business venture," said a company press release.

News briefs

Nike hints at future silence after high court dismissal

WASHINGTON: Nike executives warned last week that they may be forced to further restrict their already curtailed PR activities following the US Supreme Court's June ...

MWW to carry out regional effort as new AOR for Oxford

TRUMBULL, CT: Oxford Health Plans has awarded The MWW Group what Maria Gordon-Shydlo, director of PR for the provider, calls a "significant six-figure," one-year contract.

Female brigadier general picked to head Marines' PR

WASHINGTON: The Marines, famously looking for a few good men, have chosen a woman as their new director of public affairs.

Kraft promises active role in health debate

Northfield, IL: Kraft Foods grabbed the PR high ground in the public debate about obesity and America's unhealthy eating habits by announcing a series of ...

Jernstedt named chairman in Golin senior staff shifts

Chicago: Golin/Harris International has revamped its top tier of management, with CEO Rich Jernstedt moving into the chairman's role.

Sard hires Culp to open and run new Chicago operation

Chicago: Ron Culp, former head of PR and government relations for Sears, will launch a Chicago office for Incepta's financial PR flagship, Citigate Sard Verbinnen.

Cendant taps Ogilvy after reorganizing travel group

PARSIPPANY, NJ: Cendant Corporation's Travel Distribution Services (TDS) division has streamlined its communications structure and taken on Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide as agency of record.

Tyco lures GE marketing head as it begins to rebuild in-house PR

BERMUDA: More than a year after its board of directors handed the reins of its day-to-day PR operation to crisis firm Robinson Lerer Montgomery (RLM), ...

Financial Times revamps PR strategy to capitalize on growth in US

NEW YORK: The Financial Times, the international business newspaper striving to consolidate gains in the US, has named Jolie Hunt PR director for North America.

Dolby seeking firm in push to spotlight vast tech offerings

SAN FRANCISCO: Dolby Laboratories, whose brand is synonymous with movie theater sound systems, is looking for a PR agency to help highlight the company's other ...

PR teams enter the battle in Big East-ACC expansion row

PROVIDENCE, RI and GREENsBORO, NC: Both the Big East and the Atlantic Coast Conference have brought in PR help for their showdown over the ACC's ...

Tyco lures GE marketing head as it begins to rebuild in-house PR

BERMUDA: More than a year after its board of directors handed the reins of its day-to-day PR operation to crisis firm Robinson Lerer Montgomery (RLM), ...

PR teams enter the battle in Big East-ACC expansion row

PROVIDENCE, RI and GREENSBORO, NC: Both the Big East and the Atlantic Coast Conference have brought in PR help for their showdown over the ACC's ...

Financial Times revamps PR strategy to capitalize on growth in US

NEW YORK: The Financial Times, the international business newspaper striving to consolidate gains in the US, has named Jolie Hunt PR director for North America.

Dolby seeking firm in push to spotlight vast tech offerings

SAN FRANCISCO: Dolby Laboratories, whose brand is synonymous with movie theater sound systems, is looking for a PR agency to help highlight the company's other ...

Wayport taps GCI to tackle its rivals in wireless arena

AUSTIN, TX: WiFi pioneer Wayport has switched PR firms as "hot spot" competition heats up across the country.

Morin steps down as CEO of PR Newswire

NEW YORK: Charlie Morin, CEO of PR Newswire (PRN) since 1999, has resigned to focus on a small "business venture," said a company press release.

GYMR hired to run PR for Ad Council's healthy living push

NEW YORK: The Ad Council, in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded a $125,000, six-month account to GYMR.

NEWS BRIEF: Geraldine Ferraro joins Global Consulting Group

NEW YORK: Former US Vice Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro joined Global Consulting Group last month, a Huntsworth Group subsidiary, as EVP and public affairs practice ...

NEWS BRIEF: Key3Media changes its name to Medialive International

LOS ANGELES: Key3Media, the hi-tech trade-show company responsible for Comdex, Networld & Interop, and other shows, has changed its name to Medialive International. The name ...

NEWS BRIEF: VisitScotland chooses Laura Davidson PR

NEW YORK: VisitScotland, the Scottish Tourist Board, has chosen Laura Davidson Public Relations (LDPR) as its North American media relations agency. In addition to proactive ...

NEWS BRIEF: Captaris picks Brodeur Worldwide as its AOR

BELLEVUE, WA: Captaris, which develops business-information delivery technology, has picked Brodeur Worldwide as its new global AOR. Brodeur will develop branding, positioning, and communications initiatives ...

NEWS BRIEF: Duffey Communications adds InComm to its portfolio

ATLANTA: Duffey Communications has added InComm to its portfolio of consumer accounts. InComm is one of the nation's largest prepaid phone services companies, providing wireless ...

NEWS BRIEF: Hill & Knowlton names director

NEW YORK: Hill & Knowlton has named John Quick director of its New York healthcare and pharmaceutical practice. Prior to joining, Quick was a GM ...

NEWS BRIEF: Tracy Syler-Doctson promoted to director of communications

FORT WORTH, TX: Tracy Syler-Doctson has been promoted to director of communications for Texas Christian University. She replaces Kelli Horst, who is moving out of ...

NEWS BRIEF: Dey teams up with Feinstein Kean Healthcare

NAPA, CA: Specialty pharmaceutical company Dey has teamed up with Feinstein Kean Healthcare to launch a patient-education campaign in support of its EpiPen brand. The ...

NEWS BRIEF: The CJP hires Regan Communications Group to enhance its PR

BOSTON: The Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) of Greater Boston, the oldest federated charity in the US, representing nearly 250,000 people and more than 200 agencies, ...

NEWS BRIEF: Euro RSCG Middlebert assumes management for marketing agency

NEW YORK: Euro RSCG Middleberg has assumed management for the PR operations of Chicago-based integrated marketing agency Euro RSCG Tatham Partners. Aaron Kwitten, president of ...

NEWS BRIEF: SR Marketing signs Goldberger Doll for PR services

WALNUT CREEK, CA: SR Marketing has signed Goldberger Doll, an 87-year-old doll company based in New York, for a host of PR and marketing services. ...

Female brigadier general picked to head Marines' PR

WASHINGTON: The Marines, famously looking for a few good men, have chosen a woman as their new director of public affairs.

Kraft promises active role in health debate

NORTHFIELD, IL: Kraft Foods grabbed the PR high ground in the public debate about obesity and America's unhealthy eating habits by announcing a series of ...

MWW to carry out regional effort as new AOR for Oxford

TRUMBULL, CT: Oxford Health Plans has awarded The MWW Group what Maria Gordon-Shydlo, director of PR for the provider, calls a "significant six-figure," one-year contract.

Jernstedt named chairman in Golin senior staff shifts

CHICAGO: Golin/Harris International has revamped its top tier of management, with CEO Rich Jernstedt moving into the chairman's role.

Cendant taps Ogilvy after reorganizing travel group

PARSIPPANY, NJ: Cendant Corporation's Travel Distribution Services (TDS) division has streamlined its communications structure and taken on Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide as agency of record.

Burson study finds corporate rumors to spread quickly

NEW YORK: A study conducted by Burson-Marsteller's research unit found that 81% of internet opinion leaders report forwarding via internet a rumor or other piece ...

Atlantic City bets on WS to boost tourism

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ: As part of an effort to reposition the Northeast's gambling mecca, the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority (ACCVA) has named Weber ...

TNN rebranding to proceed despite Spike Lee setback

LOS ANGELES: The New TNN is going ahead with its planned rebranding efforts to transform itself into "the first network for men," said VP of ...

Golden and Babbit promoted into new roles at GCI Group

NEW YORK: GCI Group has promoted Ellen Golden to EVP and director of its North American consumer marketing practice. Joel Babbit has been named to ...

IPG PR agencies in Asia-Pacific reshuffle

SINGAPORE: Under the recent IPG grouping of Weber Shandwick, Golin/Harris International, and FutureBrand, changes to the organizational structures of the two PR arms have been ...

BroadVision ready to take on PR firm after spell of quiet

REDWOOD CITY, CA: After a year of keeping quiet to focus on finances and ride out media scrutiny of hi-tech companies, BroadVision is searching for ...

Five agencies team up as Lumin network

RICHMOND, VA: Five midsize agencies have banded together to develop new PR products and provide business education for their employees.

Gold's taps Riester-Robb to help attract wider range of consumers

LOS ANGELES: Gold's Gym has chosen Venice, CA-based Riester-Robb Pacific as its AOR for both corporate and franchise operations.

Bernhardt bought by Noblemen in bid to expand services

PORTLAND, OR: Investment banking firm The Noblemen Group has acquired The Bernhardt Agency, a virtual hi-tech agency.

Farmers turn to PR to get past their bumpkin image

WASHINGTON: The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) has hired Aker Partners to launch a public education effort to promote accurate perceptions of farmers.

Blanc to retire from role as director of H&K tech practice

NEW YORK: Maureen Blanc, cofounder of Blanc & Otus (the tech firm that merged with Hill & Knowlton in 1999), is retiring.

EDITORIAL: Supreme Court silence on Nike case must not dissuade corporations from communicating

The US Supreme Court has dismissed the Nike case over a technicality, and now the industry is left with feelings of anticlimax and foreboding. Reactions ...

EDITORIAL: Supreme Court silence on Nike case must not dissuade corporations from communicating

The US Supreme Court has dismissed the Nike case over a technicality, and now the industry is left with feelings of anticlimax and foreboding. Reactions ...

OP-ED: Technology can't substitute for human relationships

PR is a people business. Relationships, creativity, and strategy may be enabled through technology, but the essence of public relations can only come from the ...

ANALYSIS: Court sidestep ensures Nike debate will continue to loom

The Supreme Court's failure to rule on Nike vs. Kasky is prolonging the conclusion to a case that will long define what constitutes free and ...

PAUL HOLMES: Microsoft validates its 'leadership' status by actively addressing spam and privacy issues

Bill Gates has already made me feel better about myself. And he has apparently embarked on a PR strategy that could eventually make me feel ...

CORPORATE CASE STUDY: The season never ends for the New York Jets' PR staff

With Coach Herman Edwards' integral involvement, the New York Jets' PR team constantly adjusts its game plan to build the team's brand among fans and ...

MEDIA WATCH: Latest Harry Potter offering enchants an already dazzled media

Media Watch has covered the Harry Potter series as it has experienced its exponential growth and become the worldwide phenomenon that it is today. Writing ...

MEDIA ROUNDUP: Press reserves space for internet's success stories

Because the internet is no longer a novelty, getting coverage of a dot-com is trickier than it used to be - unless there's a focus ...

MEDIA PROFILE: It takes a gutsy story, not one that's in the gutter, to get into Nerve

Nerve.com is not pornography, and it isn't erotica. It's somewhere in between, in an area that's explored with a unique look at everything from politics ...

PROFILE: Passion and persistence make Aaron Tiffany's IR jewel

An equal enthusiasm for teaching people about his company and learning new skills has not only led Mark Aaron to Tiffany & Co.'s top IR ...

Sell-side story

Paul Cordasco looks at the challenges of getting sell-side research coverage.

PR TECHNIQUE: Annual reports must reflect the times

With an uncertain economy and corporate governance a necessity, annual reports must clearly show how a company sees its prospects and challenges.

CAMPAIGNS: Website's push to spur Delta demise takes off strongly

PR Team: Bill Scannell (San Jose, CA) Campaign: Boycott Delta Time Frame: March 2003 - ongoing Budget: $17

CAMPAIGNS: MLS enlists its fans and players to kick off Iraqi Aid project

PR Team: Major League Soccer (New York) Campaign: Iraqi Aid Time Frame: May 2003 - ongoing Budget: Under $3,000

CAMPAIGNS: FIU student contest picks up business via wider outreach

PR Team: O'Connell & Goldberg (Hollywood, FL) and Florida International University (Miami) Campaign: Bringing Innovation to Market Time Frame: Summer 2002 - April 2003 Budget: Approximately $10,000

THE PUBLICIST: The Big Easy's financial lure is hard for filmmakers to ignore

So I'm driving down a street in New Orleans, and it's raining so hard I can't see 10 feet in front of the car. Suddenly ...

PR PLAY OF THE WEEK: New FTC website answers the public's call

WASHINGTON: Last week, Harry Potter met his match. And the tweener wizard could not have been thwarted by a more unlikely force: The Federal Trade ...

TOY BOX: Nokia's 3650 brings the fun into focus

In this column's limited space, it's impossible to fully describe Nokia's 3650 camera phone. Forget about having space to actually offer an opinion. What follows ...

BOOK REVIEW: Unlimited access enriches Moneyball

For the savvy reader who knows how narratives are made and how they in turn make reputations, Michael Lewis' Moneyball is three stories in one.

Regional Roundtable: New York City

Leading PR professionals from a variety of agencies, corporations, and nonprofits participate in a roundtable discussion about the PR issues that affect them and their ...