People we'll miss

PRWeek Staff December 29, 2011

The PR and media businesses lost giants in 2011. Here are some trailblazers who passed on this year that we'll remember.
 

Hood to return to Haymarket as EVP, board member

November 07, 2011

NEW YORK: Julia Hood will return to Haymarket Media, the parent company of PRWeek, as EVP and board member this month.
 

PRWeek's Fidelzeid on nine years of the Awards judging process

October 13, 2009

Gideon Fidelzeid, PRWeek's senior editor, talks about his experience selecting judges each year and shifts in the process over the past nine years.
 

Interview: PRWeek event managers Natasha Mulla and Shital Patel

August 20, 2009

Haymarket Media event managers Natasha Mulla and Shital Patel talk to PRWeek's Alexandra Bruell about what goes into planning a PRWeek event, what to avoid when submitting entries for PRWeek's 2010 Awards, and tips for Student of the Year submissions.
 
 

Letter from Julia Hood

May 01, 2009

Welcome to the first weekly online edition of PRWeek. This week's edition offers coverage of some of the week's biggest stories, including the CDC's response to the swine flu outbreak, a roundup of holding company earnings, and the PR industry's reaction to the shuttering of Conde Nast's Portfolio.
 

Public affairs pros discover new areas of opportunity

April 29, 2009

From recovering housing markets and corporate handouts to the latest green strategies and tightening regulations, sweeping change is afoot in Washington. In addition to the big issues on everyone's radar, there are emerging opportunities for public affairs pros.
 

PBS hopes video portal casts it in a 'hipper' shade

April 27, 2009

ARLINGTON, VA: PBS conducted a media outreach and social media effort for the April 22 launch of the PBS Video portal, a Web site featuring full-length video content from the network and its local affiliates.
 

Social media practices a good choice despite recession

April 27, 2009

In the midst of an economic downturn, agencies are looking for strategic ways to grow their business. For some this means launching new practices or capabilities.
 

Springboard's Vogel propels comms efforts for disabled Americans

April 27, 2009

Nadine Vogel's career has evolved around her passion for and absolute commitment to helping companies reach the disabled community.
 

Morton's sees comms as recipe for success

April 27, 2009

The nationwide, high-end eatery keeps a local message to appeal to its customers, employees
 

Dasani hosts spa day celebrating black moms

April 24, 2009

NEW YORK: Dasani hosted a spa day on April 24, the bottled water's first Mother's Day program targeting black women.
 

Aflac's integrated campaign focuses on everyday needs

April 24, 2009

COLUMBUS, GA: Insurance provider Aflac has launched an integrated campaign the will focus on the differences between Aflac insurance and traditional medical insurance.
 

Institute for PR's revenues slip in 2008

April 24, 2009

GAINESVILLE, FL: The Institute for Public Relations revenues dropped to $834,680 in 2008, down slightly from $867,631 in 2007, the organization reported this week.
 

Dove gets 'fresh' with videos airing during 'Gossip Girl'

April 24, 2009

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ: Dove is launching its new Dove Go Fresh Burst collection of beauty products with a video series set to air during The CW's Gossip Girl.
 

Makovsky launches environmental consulting consortium

April 24, 2009

NEW YORK: Interraction, a multidisciplinary consortium of environmental consulting firms cofounded by Makovsky & Company, has launched to provide clients with an integrated approach to climate change and sustainability issues.
 

Beiersdorf taps PMK/HBH as AOR

April 23, 2009

WILTON, CT: Beiersdorf North America, the skincare company that owns Nivea and Eucerin, hired PMK/HBH as AOR, effective April 1.
 

The secrecy bucket is full of holes: get used to it

Paul Oestreicher April 23, 2009

The FDA has been under fire for years. Approvals are too slow. No, approvals are too fast. Inspections are not rigorous enough and enforcement is too weak. No, FDA is over-reaching.
 

Sony launches Twitter game for 'Terminator Salvation'

April 21, 2009

CULVER CITY, CA: Sony Pictures Releasing International (SPRI) launched a Twitter-based game promoting the upcoming summer blockbuster Terminator Salvation.
 

IPhone app uses Boston Marathon to build buzz

April 21, 2009

BOSTON: Jason Jacobs ran the Boston Marathon on April 20 dressed as an iPhone that was brandishing his company's RunKeeper application for the smartphone.
 

US most likely to produce the next big innovation, investor survey says

April 21, 2009

NEW YORK: The US is most likely to produce the next big innovation, according to the second Investors in Innovation survey conducted by Waggener Edstrom Worldwide.
 

Insurers, pharma increase communications about healthcare reform

April 21, 2009

NEW YORK: Pharmaceutical companies and health insurers are continuing to ramp up efforts in order to position themselves for the changes ahead in healthcare.
 

Consumers plan to keep spending on entertainment, study finds

April 20, 2009

PORT WASHINGTON, NY: Consumers won't be giving up their entertainment, despite the economy, according to a study from marketing research company The NPD Group.
 

Social media - beyond the hype

Scott Severson April 20, 2009

I would peg the moment at about April 1996. This was the collective point in time when companies large and small began chanting, "We have to be on the Web!"
 

California bank looks locally after breaking with TARP

April 20, 2009

NOVATO, CA: Bank of Marin is focusing its communications on promoting local financial health after making national headlines for being one of the first banks to repay its multimillion-dollar loan from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).
 

Refinery 29 debuts a Port Authority fashion initiative

April 20, 2009

NEW YORK: Refinery 29, a fashion news and e-commerce Web site, plans to launch a month-long designer pop-up shop inside New York's Port Authority later this month.
 

Animal Planet plans 'Whale' of a PR strategy

April 20, 2009

NEW YORK: Animal Planet is increasing its media relations, particularly broadcast for the second season of its Whale Wars program.
 

Hearst and Coupons.com partner for coupon gallery

April 17, 2009

NEW YORK: Hearst Magazines Digital Media and Coupons.com partnered to create a coupon gallery on food Web site delish.com this month, taking advantage of the public's recession-driven appetite for consumer deals.
 

Oprah joins Twitter

April 17, 2009

CHICAGO: Oprah Winfrey joined Twitter, promising some competition for fellow Twitterer Ashton Kutcher, who has attracted his one-millionth follower.
 

Nationwide enlists employees for latest campaign

April 17, 2009

COLUMBUS, OH: Insurance and financial service provider Nationwide has launched a new campaign that incorporates employees and their personal stories to emphasize the company's message of providing stellar customer service.
 

For stimulus winners, communications challenges abound

Jack Gutt April 17, 2009

There is a long line winding its way to Washington, DC. State and municipal governments, private corporations and service providers are queuing for their share of the billions ready to be invested, guaranteed and distributed by the federal government under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
 

'ForbesWoman' aims for executive with site and quarterly

April 16, 2009

NEW YORK: Forbes launched the ForbesWoman brand this month as a quarterly magazine and a daily news Web site aimed at professional women.
 

Humana seeks out Baby Boomers in new effort

April 16, 2009

LOUISVILLE, KY: Humana launched a social media site for Baby Boomers that provides information about money, travel, relationships, and health as a way to raise visibility of the Humana brand among this demographic.
 

Optimizing PR strategy in the age of consumer control

Bob Wheatley April 16, 2009

While "earned media placement" will continue to be a centerpiece of client expectations from their agencies and internal staffs tactically, the substantive strategic contribution of PR has transitioned.
 

Norwegian tourism company selects Warschawski as AOR

April 15, 2009

BALTIMORE: Innovation Norway, a Norwegian company that promotes the country's industry and tourism abroad, hired Warschawski, a Baltimore-based PR, marketing, and advertising agency, as its US AOR.
 

First 100 days of the Obama administration: PR review

Laura Gross April 15, 2009

Washington has definitely seen change since President Obama has come to town - not just with policy, but with a public relations strategy too.
 

Q&A with former Bush press secretary Dana Perino

April 15, 2009

Dana Perino spoke with PRWeek about her next career move, which led to Burson-Marsteller, and how the White House shaped her views on communications.
 

MLB.com removes blog provoking some customers

April 14, 2009

NEW YORK: As baseball season opened last week, MLB.com pulled the plug on its MLBtv blog. The old site - MLBtv.MLBlogs.com - now redirects to its existing customer support forum.
 

Wicked Fashions skates to back-to-school promotions

April 13, 2009

FORT LEE, NJ: In an effort to diversify its brands and drive sales, Wicked Fashions tapped professional skateboarder Ryan Sheckler for its first celebrity clothing line.
 

Expert Q&A - Hispanic Digital Network, ARAnet, and PR Newswire

April 13, 2009

ARAnet and Hispanic Digital Network (HDN) recently partnered to provide ARAnet's copyright-free Spanish-language content to HDN's network of media outlets. Executives from the two organizations, along with HDN's parent company PR Newswire (PRN), offer insight into reaching this growing market.
 

How Twitter saved public relations from PR

Greg Galant April 13, 2009

"GE has a strong set of global businesses in infrastructure, finance and media aligned to meet today's needs, including the demand for global infrastructure; growing and changing demographics that need access to healthcare, finance, and information and entertainment; and environmental technologies."
 

NYC & Co. invites LGBT community to city

April 10, 2009

NEW YORK: NYC & Co., New York City's marketing, tourism, and partnership organization, launched a year-long campaign to promote LGBT travel to the city.
 

Controlling the controllable

Corie Pierce April 10, 2009

I've always liked the saying "sometimes the only thing you can control about a situation is the way you choose to react to it." That attitude has helped me get through some challenging times, both professional and personal. And that saying is definitely applicable to the current economic environment.
 

AP alters Web strategy, plans new online news sites

April 10, 2009

NEW YORK: The Associated Press (AP) is altering its Web strategy by planning online destinations to direct consumers to news Web sites it considers authoritative sources, thereby competing with search engines.
 

Polycom makes move toward mainstream

April 09, 2009

PLEASANTON, CA: Polycom has enlisted Access Communication to help the company expand its pull in the mainstream media.
 

CRT/Tanaka acquires Livingston Communications

April 09, 2009

RICHMOND, VA: CRT/Tanaka said it acquired social media firm Livingston Communications, its second acquisition in 2009.
 

American Water finds comms value in online annual report

April 08, 2009

VOORHEES, NJ: American Water, a water and wastewater utility company that went public in April 2008, launched an interactive online annual report in order to help it meet sustainability goals.
 

Tahiti opens 'love' campaign to reconnect with travelers

April 07, 2009

EL SEGUNDO, CA: Tahiti Tourisme North America recently launched its 'Invest in your Love' campaign in an effort to promote Tahiti as an ideal travel destination for couples and families.
 

Expert Q&A: Peter Wengryn, CEO of VMS

April 06, 2009

Peter Wengryn, CEO of VMS, answers questions about the company's newest offering, Vantage, which measures the ROI of PR and advertising separately and in tandem.
 

Mars expands "Chocolatier" effort

April 06, 2009

MT. ARLINGTON, NJ: Mars Snackfood US is amping up its online outreach, starting April 6, to recruit more consumers to become grassroots marketers for the company's Dove Chocolate Discoveries (DCD) program.
 

Why PR matters in a down economy

Brett Turner April 06, 2009

Since October 2008, many people — clients, colleagues, PR pros, students, etc. — have asked me what they should do to survive in the economic downturn.
 

Candie's banks on Britney Spears' comeback for new campaign

April 03, 2009

NEW YORK: Juniors fashion brand Candie's - part of the Iconix Brand Group - recently launched a multifaceted marketing campaign starring Britney Spears.
 

Intent is the new demographic

Tyler Pennock April 03, 2009

I'm Facebook friends with my mom. I check out reviews of restaurants that are 3,000 miles away. I belong to an online community for multiple sclerosis that counts nearly every age and race among its membership.
 

Obama administration shows communicating often means not talking

Stan Collender April 02, 2009

You can't help but be impressed with President Barack Obama's ability to communicate.
 

Sun-Times taps Sard Verbinnen for bankruptcy filing

March 31, 2009

CHICAGO: Sun-Times Media Group, which owns the Chicago Sun-Times, is working with Sard Verbinnen on communications efforts surrounding its March 31 filing for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11.
 

Marketing and financial strategies for a stormy economy

David Warschawski, Jonathan Murray March 30, 2009

Warren Buffet's take on investing in a stormy market has its place in the marketing world too: "Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful."
 

Expert Q&A: Victoria Lang, co-president, PLUS Media

March 30, 2009

Victoria Lang is co-president of PLUS Media, a PR firm that provides SMT, RMT, and other outreach services. The firm recently launched its trademarked new offering, Gamelink Messaging. Lang discusses what it is, how it works, and why online gaming is an effective communications method.
 

Wristbands garner skin cancer awareness

March 27, 2009

NEW ORLEANS: The Copeland's of New Orleans restaurant chain is creating awareness for a rare form of skin cancer with limited-edition wristbands and a partnership with NBA player Chris Paul.
 

Fleishman reorganizes Southern California leadership

March 26, 2009

LOS ANGELES: Fleishman-Hillard has reorganized the leadership structure of its Los Angeles and San Diego offices.
 

Sports-oriented publicity doesn't have to break the bank

Arthur Solomon March 25, 2009

Does a client with a limited budget prevent you from suggesting a sports-oriented publicity tie-in? It shouldn't.
 

Blogosphere touts thriftiness

BuzzLogic March 25, 2009

As the recession continues to impact consumer spending and saving, a new kind of thriftiness is seeping into consumers' habits.
 

Comms plan to spur launch of political market

March 24, 2009

NEW YORK: A commercial market for political futures where traders can hedge and speculate on political risk based on ongoing legislative changes launched last Friday, and the group has undertaken a communications plan to spur high-net worth investors to place their money in the online trading platform.
 

JLM PR to close with Jody Miller's summer retirement

March 24, 2009

NEW YORK: Jody Miller, a 25-year veteran of entertainment PR, is retiring and closing her agency, JLM PR, effective August 2009.
 

South Asian Zee TV targets US in new effort

March 23, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO: Zee TV USA has enlisted EthnikPR to expand its outreach in North America. The firm was selected after a competitive search.
 

The NewsMarket appoints new CEO

March 23, 2009

NEW YORK: The NewsMarket has appointed a new CEO. James Lonergan will succeed the company's cofounder, Shoba Purushothaman, as president and CEO of the video distribution and marketing company, effective immediately.
 

Lionsgate looks to Joele Frank for comms help

March 17, 2009

LOS ANGELES: Lionsgate hired Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher to handle PR related to a potential proxy fight with Carl Icahn*, effective the week of March 9.
 

Insurer Direct General hires Cramer-Krasselt for integrated brief

March 13, 2009

NASHVILLE, TN: Auto insurance provider Direct General has selected Cramer-Krasselt as its AOR. The firm will work on brand planning and positioning, PR, and advertising for the company in an account worth about $20 million in annual billings.
 

State Farm rolls out red carpet for Latin Music Awards

March 13, 2009

MIAMI: State Farm is offering consumers their own personal red carpet experience to promote the insurance company's first year as title sponsor for the Billboard Latin Music Awards on April 23.
 

Reporters want more comms from financial institutions

March 13, 2009

BOSTON: A majority of reporters are complaining that financial institutions don't communicate newsworthy events, according to a study by BackBay Communications and Marketwire.
 

WE releases 'Twendz' for Twitter monitoring

March 12, 2009

BELLEVUE, WA: Waggener Edstrom yesterday released a beta version of a conversation-monitoring device specialized for Twitter, possibly the first of its kind.
 

Online publishers tout new ad options

March 12, 2009

NEW YORK: The Online Publishers Association (OPA), a coalition of nearly 30 digital content-providers, is conducting a media outreach and thought leadership effort promoting new interactive ad space that will be available to advertisers this summer on member sites.
 

Wal-Mart in review for US consumer communications

March 11, 2009

BENTONVILLE, AR: Wal-Mart is in the midst of reviewing PR agencies to assist with its consumer communications in the US.
 

Value of press hits varies by industry, study finds

March 10, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO: Companies that produce more complicated products such as computers or financial services stand to benefit from PR more than those in sectors like personal care, according to a new study from Text 100.
 

Reebok hopes to inspire with new Cirque du Soleil workout

March 09, 2009

CANTON, MA: Reebok has rolled out a global, marketing campaign to support the launch of new product lines and a workout it created in conjunction with Cirque du Soleil.
 

Skittles' experiment ceded too much control of brand

Huard G. Smith March 09, 2009

Last week, Mars, Inc., led by the interactive shop Agency.com, launched a radically redesigned Web site for their candy product, Skittles. The new "un-site" is a simple overlay on social networks focused on the product.
 

Shapeways goes digital for grassroots campaign

March 09, 2009

AMSTERDAM: Shapeways, part of Philips Lifestyle Incubator Project, has created an Internet-based, grassroots campaign for the launch of its "PhotoShaper" this week.
 

Wal-Mart set to woo 'Twilight' fans

March 06, 2009

BENTONVILLE, AR: Wal-Mart's marketing plan to prepare for the DVD release of the popular romance-vampire flick Twilight includes an emphasis on affordability and a partnership with BlogTalkRadio in an effort to woo the film's fan base.
 

Purple Lab engages bloggers to promote new lip gloss

March 02, 2009

NEW YORK: Beauty company Purple Lab developed a PR initiative to help launch the fledgling company's first product, Huge Lips Skinny Hips. The debut is a collection of Vitamin B3 lip-plumping glosses that tout appetite suppressant Hoodia.
 

Globalstar selects Skyya as AOR

February 27, 2009

MILPITAS, CA: International mobile satellite voice and data service provider Globalstar has selected Skyya Communications as its AOR.
 

ReachMD satellite radio station in brand awareness push

February 25, 2009

NORTHBROOK, IL: ReachMD is conducting a brand awareness effort targeting members of the medical, marketing and advertising, and investment communities to raise the profile of the XM radio station.
 

Expert Q&A: Ari Newman, president and founder of Filtrbox

February 25, 2009

Ari Newman, president and founder of Filtrbox, answers questions about the company's new G2 product, measurement in a troubled economy, and why investors will find Filtrbox useful to their research efforts.
 

Ketchum centralizes its digital practice, hires Kopp

February 25, 2009

NEW YORK: Ketchum has centralized its digital services under Ketchum Digital, and hired Jonathan Kopp, former partner at SS&K, to lead it. As global director of digital, he will work to raise awareness of Ketchum Digital.
 

What is new media, and why does it matter?

Jonathan Rick February 25, 2009

Clients often ask, What is new media? To answer this, I like to step back and ask, What is public relations?
 

Effective comms aids management succession programs

February 24, 2009

In the first few weeks of 2009, a number of corporate CEOs were sent packing. Seagate, Tyson Foods, and Borders Group were just some of the companies that announced changes at the top.
 

Uncertain times demand embrace of social media

Gur Tsabar February 23, 2009

If necessity is the mother of invention, then these financially uncertain times demand that corporate communicators fundamentally rethink the economics of their marketing and communications. Re-enter social media.
 

Fleishman plans staff cuts across North America

February 20, 2009

ST. LOUIS: Fleishman-Hillard is cutting staff across North America due to actual or forecasted declines in certain markets, according to Dave Senay, president and CEO of the firm.
 

Alex Rodriguez looks to PR support during crisis

February 19, 2009

NEW YORK: New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is currently working with several PR and communications specialists, after news that the slugger took performance-enhancing substances hit the press.
 

And the Oscar goes to...

BuzzLogic February 18, 2009

Hollywood is putting on the glitz this week in preparation for the Academy Awards, and the world is anxiously awaiting the red carpet and the ceremony with the new gold statues.
 

Did the Super Bowl pay off?

Vitrue February 17, 2009

Super Bowl advertisers made their investment in hopes of capturing mass audiences and raising brand awareness. Vitrue wanted to know if the advertisers' investment in traditional media paid off in social share of voice on the Web.
 

McCafe makes Fashion Week debut

February 11, 2009

NEW YORK: McDonald's is sponsoring Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in the first national awareness initiative to promote its McCafe espresso-based beverages amidst a regional rollout that began last year.
 

Amtrak honors Pullman Porters place in history

February 10, 2009

OAKLAND, CA: Amtrak is honoring the black men who worked as attendants on trains in the early 1900s - the Pullman Porters - in celebration of the history of the railroad in general, as well as Black History Month.
 

New social network hopes to spur economic conversation

February 06, 2009

BOSTON: A new social network that allows people to audit the federal government and discuss other ways to fix the lagging economy was launched this Monday, February 2.
 

Newspaper leadership promotes industry in new campaign

February 05, 2009

NEW YORK: A group of newspaper executives has launched a multipronged effort to promote the value of its medium in an increasingly hostile economic environment.
 

Stanton Crenshaw principals to separate agency

February 05, 2009

NEW YORK: Alex Stanton and Dorothy Crenshaw, principals of Stanton Crenshaw Communications, announced that they will separate the agency into distinct businesses this month.
 

Execs worried about online reputations, survey finds

February 03, 2009

NEW YORK: Online reputation management is a top concern for executives, according to a new survey from Weber Shandwick.
 

Expert Q&A: Peter Himler, co-developer of MatchPoint and founder of Flatiron Communications

February 03, 2009

MatchPoint, a search application tool for PR professionals who engage in media outreach, launched on February 2 . Peter Himler, the application's co-developer, answers questions about how the system works and keeping up with media industry turnover.
 

Comcast apologizes for porn snafu

February 02, 2009

PHILADELPHIA: Comcast customers in the Tucson, AZ, area were surprised during the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl when a short clip of pornography interrupted the game.
 

Tecate shifts strategy for Grand Prix sponsorship

February 02, 2009

LONG BEACH, CA: In its eighth year as a sponsor of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, CA, the Mexican beer company Tecate is taking its PR in a more bilingual, "Americanized" direction.
 

M&A opportunities among marketing firms in '09, executives say

January 30, 2009

NEW YORK: About 60% of senior executives at marketing and ad firms, as well as private equity investment groups, expect to take steps toward M&A deals this year, only a slight decline from last year's 67% finding, according to a recent survey from AdMedia Partners.
 

AT&T partners with Lil' Wayne for social media outreach

January 29, 2009

ATLANTA: AT&T is using social media and partnerships with entertainment companies and artists to interact with a younger demographic.
 
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