McQuerter Group Sponsors 'Millennium Bug' Contest
Folks at marcom firm McQuerterGroup, San Diego, had their creative thinking caps on when they created one of the best contests we've seen in 1998. The "Pick Bug Contest," for database technology developer Pick Systems, Inc., invited entrants to illustrate what the Y2K bug might look like.
The contest was promoted through the Internet, with the firm netting attention from 200 high-tech illustrators and graphic artists and publications such as Computer World and Microscope Magazine.
The coup was a national network plug from Dan Rather who included an interview with Pick Systems VP of Marketing Ted Ellison on "CBS News with Dan Rather" Nov. 30. (McQuerter Group, 619/450-0030)
Survey Reveals that Web Sites Not Meeting IR Needs
CCBN.com analyzed the investor relations prowess of 100 Web sites of Fortune 500 companies and reports that most corporate URLs fall short of meeting online investors' needs.
CCBN.com, a shareholder communication services firm, claims in its analysis of stock charts and quotes, SEC filings, corporate profiles, annual reports, multimedia content and six other components:
- None of the companies surveyed offer all 13 of the categories;
- Just 49 of the 100 companies offer more than half of critical information; and
- Only three companies, Cisco Sytems, Intel and Microsoft, provide 11 of the 13 categories.
The company noted, however, that this year's findings were more promising than last year's results. In 1997, only 32 companies had more than half of the specified areas. (CCBN.com, 617/531-2999)
Business Moves
- Hill and Knowlton's Atlanta office brings on board Alan Ulman as new GM. Ulman comes from six years-plus in various communication slots at Georgia-Pacific Corp. He replaces Judy Hamby who becomes U.S. creative director. (H&K, 323/966-5700)
- National Airlines nabs E.B. Lane & Associates to handle PR for a national roll-out of its non-stop commercial flights between Las Vegas and major cities. The budget wasn't disclosed, but the account is estimated to be several million dollars annually. (E.B. Lane, 602/258-5263)
- Visa International hit the promotional jackpot when the Web Marketing Association named visa.com the industry's Outstanding Web Site of 1998. The site boasts 3,400 pages and includes information in several languages. (Visa, 650/432-3200)
- All speculation in Washington, D.C. might be focused on whether Bill Clinton should be polishing his resume, but the President's Own United State Marine Band already is in the hiring mode and looking for a new public affairs specialist. Call 202/433-5814 for details.
- Maccabee Group, Inc., Minneapolis, will provide pro bono PR for the Minnesota AIDS Memorial in support of a $1 million fundraising campaign. (Maccabee, 612/337-0087)
- Correction: In our Dec. 7 issue, we incorrectly identified the Public Affairs Group's Web address. It is http://www.tpag.com. We apologize for the error.