WASHINGTON: Outreach Strategies has hired David Marks, former press secretary of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, as a VP.

Google spent more than $4 million on lobbying last year, according to the latest reports it filed with the Senate.

In two recent instances top PR pros outright lied to our reporting staff when asked pointed questions. No, it's not the first time.

NEW YORK: Edgar Online got an injection of $12 million as Boston-based Bain Capital Ventures agreed to purchase 120,000 convertible Series B preferred stock in the company.

Amid Wednesday's frenzied news day of Apple's iPad reveal and President Obama's impending State of the Union address, a friend's Facebook status update caused me to pause.

If you're a tech nerd, an Apple nerd, or anyone that might care about the future of how consumers will access content (e.g., publishers, marketers), then you might have tuned in to Steve Jobs unveiling of the latest Apple device: the iPad.

WASHINGTON: FINRA has issued social networking guidance for securities firms and brokers, following demand from the industry.

While Edelman recently hired former MS&L CEO Mark Hass as its new chief executive in China, Burson-Marsteller has attracted an Edelman executive to lead Asia-Pacific.

In a reversal, the FDA said last week that it was concerned about the use of the chemical compound BPA present in some consumer plastics, such as baby bottles.

WASHINGTON: Microsoft has awarded Burson-Marsteller a contract for public affairs work in Washington, DC, following a competitive pitch.