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June 16, 2003 Issue of PRWeek

Media experts split on ramifications of FCC ruling

NEW YORK: Two distinct visions of the future of American media emerged in the days since the Federal Communications Commission made media consolidation substantially easier ...

NIRI conference highlights communications' value to IR's future

Orlando, FL: While a three-year bear market has left many companies with slumping stock prices, the annual NIRI conference gave IR pros a chance to ...

Xenophon takes on Capitol Historical Society pro bono

WASHINGTON: Xenophon Strategies will soon be doing some patriotic pro bono work, publicizing and providing strategic counsel to the US Capitol Historical Society (USCHS).

Sun to show pervasiveness of Java with new campaign

SANTA CLARA, CA: Sun Microsystems wants to make Java a household word, and is planning to launch a multifaceted marketing campaign aimed at educating consumers ...

Oracle creates PR job for UK market

READING, UK: Oracle is enhancing its UK PR by creating a new position, senior director of UK corporate communications.

Lewis to help Tenix build US presence

ARLINGTON, VA: Australian IT security firm Tenix Datagate is hoping to make a name for itself in the crowded US IT security market, and has ...

Higgins takes SVP role at Intermedia

LOS ANGELES: Intermedia, a film development, financing, and production company, has hired Dennis Higgins as SVP of corporate communications and publicity.

Healthcare PR study finds focus on internal comms

KNOXVILLE, TN: Employee relations, second to media relations, is the number-one driver of PR programming at healthcare companies, according to Ackermann PR's new Healthcare Communications ...

Vollmer brought in to push getAccess

HOUSTON: Clear Channel Entertainment (CCE) has tapped Vollmer to help spread the word about its newly revamped loyalty program.

United Way shifts focus to community-impact efforts

WASHINGTON: The United Way of America (UWA) is undergoing a radical change in mission, refocusing on community-impact programs after more than 100 years of devotion ...

Edelman to help Portland reach Europe businesses

PORTLAND, OR: The Port of Portland has hired Edelman to draw attention to Portland's business community and its only direct flight to Europe, a new ...

Cohn & Wolfe buys Canadian firm ETC

TORONTO: Cohn & Wolfe (C&W) has acquired Canadian agency ETC Communications, which will be integrated with C&W's Toronto office.

CSI hired to handle PR for Barr's new contraceptive

MADISON, NJ: Barr Laboratories has appointed Communications Strategies (CSI) to handle launch and post-launch PR responsibilities for Seasonale Extended-Cycle, a new oral contraceptive designed to ...

ABC picks Binford as head of comms

LOS ANGELES: ABC has named Susan Binford its new communications head for the ABC Television Network and ABC Broadcast Group, which includes the radio division ...

TiVo offers research on viewing habits

SAN JOSE, CA: With the recent release of the first of its quarterly reports on television viewing habits, TiVo has entered a market long-dominated by ...

Stewart legal team working with Sard

NEW YORK: Martha Stewart's legal team has been working with crisis specialist Citigate Sard Verbinnen to help the media magnate communicate her side of her ...

Laverty named to VP role at Novartis

EAST HANOVER, NJ: After 18 years at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), Bob Laverty has joined rival Novartis as VP of global media relations. He will report ...

ICM finds 2002 had drop in crises from previous year

LOUISVILLE, KY: Despite the endless succession of corporate scandals that dominated the front pages, last year witnessed a significant drop-off in business crises, according to ...

Hitachi Data Systems picks B&O in PR consolidation

SANTA CLARA, CA: Hitachi Data Systems has selected Blanc & Otus (B&O) as its new AOR in the US to help the data-storage company develop ...

Doyne moves from Ketchum to Burson

WASHINGTON: Karen Doyne, Ketchum's director of litigation PR, is taking her act to Burson-Marsteller starting this week.

Boeing stresses ethics as major bid nears

LOS ANGELES: The Boeing Co. last week went on a PR offensive to fend off charges of unethical business practices that could impede its bid ...

State Department launches review of its Mideast diplomacy efforts

WASHINGTON: At the request of Congress, the State Department is launching an inquiry into its campaign to polish America's image in Muslim countries over the ...

Sears fills its top PR post by luring away Goodyear's O'Leary

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL: Filling the vacancy left by industry veteran Ron Culp, Sears, Roebuck & Co. has named Robert O'Leary SVP of PR, communications, and ...

Kekst and Joele Frank join Oracle vs. PeopleSoft battle

REDWOOD, CA: Oracle's surprise hostile bid for its smaller rival PeopleSoft will pit two of the industry's most prominent financial crisis firms - Kekst & ...

Ketchum to show Medicare as information resource in $25m effort

WASHINGTON: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has selected Ketchum to manage a $25 million integrated marketing campaign in support of Medicare, the ...

EDITORIAL: The Council of PR Firms must lead in helping curb the industry's anxiety over procurement

Most of the sessions in last week's American Association of Advertising Agencies'(4As) New Business Summit focused on themes that resonate across marketing disciplines. Putting together ...

OP-ED: Global perception is branding reality for US

The biggest challenge any organization has in communicating its brand promise is finding common ground between what it wants to be known as and how ...

OP-ED: US business must account for transatlantic tensions

The best strategic advice often involves helping a client to comprehend broad new realities. Now is the time to engage in that kind of analysis ...

Analysis: Acquisitions in tech sector signal changes for PR firms

As the big tech companies merge into industry-dominating giants, tech-specialist PR agencies are reformulating their game plans.

PAUL HOLMES: CEOs must plan to protect their reputations long before they are under the microscope

Should Howell Raines have had his own PR person?

ORGANIZATION CASE STUDY: CA Wellness Foundation stays out of the spotlight

The California Wellness Foundation doles out millions to nonprofit organizations. But rather than tout its own efforts, the organization's PR team helps the grantees tell ...

MEDIA WATCH: Howard Dean gets media's attention with feisty jabs at Kerry

There are nine candidates for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2004, and many political observers say the race is wide open. Within this pack, former ...

MEDIA ROUNDUP: Digital advancements revive interest in photography

From memory-seeking moms to hi-tech enthusiasts, digital cameras continue to excite many audiences. In turn, a broad range of media outlets have sharpened their focus ...

MEDIA PROFILE: Paper stays ahead of the curve by avoiding coverage of trends

Paper magazine began humbly as a single fold-out page, but has blossomed into a glossy that eschews trends in its passion for urban life. And ...

PROFILE: Homan finds the odd night out sharpens her PR skills

Working hard to show Chicagoans a good time is trickier than it looks - especially when it's not your only occupation. But John N. Frank ...

Procurement of PR

Agencies are worried the RFP process is commoditizing PR.

REGIONAL FOCUS: Heartland values

Although the heartland is home to some of America's most familiar names, PR is still finding its feet.

PR TECHNIQUE: Same again? How to approach a re-pitch

Being the incumbent firm doesn't guarantee the client will keep you when the contract is up for review. As Douglas Quenqua finds, raising your game ...

CAMPAIGNS: Volvo builds its brand by honoring everyday heroes

Volvo underscored the values of its brand by honoring ordinary people who've done extraordinary things for individuals and communities who needed help.

CAMPAIGNS: Laureus captures global attention with local events

Seeking global status, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation brought its message around the world with simultaneous awards-nomination events.

THE PUBLICIST: Ford drawn to PR since he can't attract film fans as he once did

During their careers, it's not unusual for movie stars to treat publicity like it's a day-old pastry in the office kitchen. Sneer at it in ...

PR PLAY OF THE WEEK: Ellison's $5bn bid pays off on many fronts

REDWOOD CITY, CA: When does a PR Play cost $5 billion? When it involves the most dramatic corporate showdown to hit Silicon Valley in recent ...

TOY BOX: FireBall is a hot idea for music lovers

If you're tired of being beaten to the punch when it comes to having impressive music gadgets, get an Escient FireBall E-120. This state-of-the-art system ...

BOOK REVIEW: Full Frontal PR knows how to build buzz

Full Frontal PR gives the reader an up-front look at PR, as well as tips on how to create a buzz about you, your business, ...

Comms must play role in trust-focused regulations

NEW YORK: Improved and increased communications must be implemented alongside new regulations to restore confidence in corporate America, according to "Communicating with Investors and the ...

Vancouver, Pyeong Chang turn to PR in bid for Games

VANCOUVER and PYEONG CHANG, SOUTH KOREA: As Vancouver heads into the final round of bidding to host the 2010 Winter Games, the city is working ...

News Briefs

Ad Council PSAs to raise PI awareness

NEW YORK: In partnership with the Jeffrey Modell Foundation, the Ad Council has launched a national campaign to generate awareness and encourage early diagnosis of ...