WASHINGTON: The US is currently enjoying its most favorable global image in years, according to data collected by the Pew Research Center (PRC).

Ed Gillespie, chair of the Republican State Leadership Committee and former counselor to President George W. Bush, talks to PRWeek reporter Jaimy Lee about why Republicans need to focus on positive messages, such as jobs creation, to communicate on policy issues.

WASHINGTON: The Business Roundtable is tapping into its member network of CEOs for an integrated campaign that aims to remind policymakers about the economic value of the private sector.

CHICAGO: Movie studios and Apple were the big marketing winners from this year's Academy Awards, according to data culled by marketing software provider Alterian.

DENVER: Quiznos hired Shift Communications as consumer AOR, effective January 2010.

LONDON: The WPP Group said that like-for-like revenues for PR and public affairs fell 7% to $1.2 billion in 2009, compared to $1.1 billion in 2008, while like-for-like revenues dropped less than 5% in the fourth quarter of 2009.

SANTIAGO, CHILE: With the earthquake in Chile on February 27, only weeks after the January 12 earthquake in Haiti, social media and text messaging continue to play a major role in sharing information and collecting donations for relief.

WASHINGTON: The US Postal Service (USPS) has launched a multi-faceted PR campaign to sell through a 10-year plan aimed at helping stem financial losses, which includes a controversial proposal to eliminate Saturday service.

ATLANTA: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is launching a social media campaign called "i know," encouraging African-Americans aged 18 to 24 to talk more openly about HIV.

TAMPA, FL: 1800hotels.com hired French/West/Vaughan as its global AOR to handle an $11 million integrated marketing account, following a competitive RFP process in the US.