Dell scores a coup with the hire of Tim Doke as VP of
communications. Doke, VP of corporate communications at American
Airlines and PRSA's 2002 PR Professional of the Year, served the
airline through the terror attacks of 9/11 and the financial
hardships that have plagued the industry ever since. Doke begins at
Dell on March 10, reporting to VP of corporate communications
Elizabeth Allen. We wonder if his first task will be to help stave
off the embarrassment surrounding the arrest of Benjamin Curtis,
the actor whose TV commercial character has become a pop icon with
his, "Dude, you're gettin' a Dell," catch phrase. Curtis allegedly
was caught purchasing marijuana last week in New York.
Meanwhile at American, Gus Whitcomb, managing director of
strategic communications, will take over as acting managing
director, corporate communications. Whitcomb joined American in
1993 after being manager of PR for Aloha Airlines. He left American
to become director of corporate comms at America West and at
Greenwich Air Services and then returned to American in 2000.