On the Radar Screen
We'd be remiss if we didn't pass along three well-deserved kudos this week:
#1 to Foodmaker, parent company of Jack in the Box restaurants, for its annual report. Reminiscent of a Dick Tracy comic book, the slick, four-color 10K is colorful, fun, original and, despite its campy style, effectively weaves an informative corporate tale about recent quality and service improvements.
Foodmaker printed about 25,000 annual reports and mailed 200 to the media on a budget of about $90,000, according to Division VP of Corporate Communications Karen Bachmann. Bachmann said writing for the cartoon frames was done in-house and the artwork outsourced, but the project didn't cost the company any more than its annual reports usually run.
The company is just now getting feedback from analysts, who are delighted with the atypical tone. (Foodmaker, 619/571-2248)
#2 to Susan Schumacher for the letter announcing her departure as senior VP of marcom for LMIncorporated, Boston. Although Schumacher doesn't know where she'll land next, this is the best good-bye letter we've seen because it's succinct, provides new contact information and provides a heads-up that there will be a shift at the agency. (LMI, 617/722-0019)
#3 to Golin/Harris International for its new sabbatical program. In the era of internal and employee communications, G/H knows that happy employees can add bottom-line value. Every full-time employee who completes four years of employment with the company receives a four-week paid retreat under its new policy. (G/H, 313/729-4123)
Business Moves
Agency
- The Financial Relations Board, in a just-inked deal, will operate as a division of BSMG Worldwide, the PR offshoot of True North Communications [TNO]. The transaction, valued at about $33 million, rounds out a new $120 million-in-revenue business with 900 employees. FRB President Michael Rosenbaum and Vice Chairpersons William Miller and Donna Case retain their present positions and also become BSMG partners, serving on the company's worldwide management committee. Rosenbaum also joins BSMG's board of directors. Founded in 1961, FRB is the oldest investor relations and financial communications firm in the United States. (BSMG, 212/445-8009)
- After six years with the California Trade and Commerce Agency (the last three as undersecretary), Christopher Holben joins Hill and Knowlton as a senior managing director and lobbyist in the agency's Sacramento, Calif., office. (H&K, 323/966-5700)
- New Fleishman-Hillard senior VPs and partners are former California State Senator Ken Maddy and political strategist Sal Russo, who join the Sacramento office. Maddy retired from the state legislature in 1998 and Russo's experience includes working on campaigns for Ronald Reagan and Jack Kemp. (Fleishman-Hillard, 213/489-8218)
- Curt Steiner, former director of communications for Ohio Governor George V. Voinovich, is recruited by Columbus-based HMS Success Public Relations to work on public affairs strategies. (HMS, 614/222-2523)
- Promotions at Ketchum's Pittsburgh office include senior VP Kelley Murray Skoloda to associate director, overseeing new business and remaining as leader of consumer and healthcare marketing; and Michelle Pujadas from head of the firm's Technology Practice Group to senior VP. (Ketchum, 412/456-3519)
Corporate
Consultant Richard S. Simpson becomes manager of corporate relations for BrainTech, Inc., Vancouver, B.C. The firm specializes in the development of advanced pattern recognition technologies. (BrainTech, Inc., 604/988-6440)