Unknown Barney Hacker Makes Tryannosaurus-Sized Blunder
Nina Stern Public Relations won't want to hear the infamous, "I love you, you love me," song after its press release on Barney's new audio and video Halloween products was found to be altered with inappropriate language.
President Nina Stern had the finalized the press release late last week in her computer system and sent it to Lyrick Studios, her client and producers of Barney tapes, for printing. Stern says she sent the release by e-mail and sometime between the final approval and dissemination, the undetermined tampering occurred.
When the firm realized the mistake Tuesday, Stern immediately faxed the real press release to as many companies as possible. For additional crisis control, she also put the accurate release and explanation letter on PR Newswire. Stern says she reacted honestly and quickly and plans to get added protection for her system.
The firm is adding a "firewall," an area of the Internet unable to be touched by outside sources. One question remains: who is this mysterious hacker?
PR NEWS wonders if such an extremist Barney hater exists, or if an internal prankster just went too far. (Nina Sterns, 818/981-4482)
Business Developments
- Grey Healthcare Group Public Relations, New York, has been named the agency of record to support the launch of telmisartan, an investigational drug to be marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceutical, Inc. for the treatment of hypertension.
GH will handle everything from market conditioning to post-launch activities. (Grey Healthcare, 212/886-3058)
- Hong Kong Futures Exchange (HKFE) appoints Royce Yuen as executive director, marketing and member services, reporting to Chief Executive Randy Gilmore. (HKFE, 2531-5066)
- Backed by the words of futurist consultant Marian Salzman, Cohn & Wolfe, Atlanta, has launched its own newsletter.
The publication, Insight, will be issued internationally four to six times a year. The newsletter will zero in on U.S. and global trends that impact PR. (C&W, 404/688-5900)
- High-tech and IR firm Lois Paul & Partners opens an office in Austin, Texas. It already has offices in Boston and San Francisco. Joan Osleeb, VP, client services, will head the Austin office. Address: Barton Oaks Plaza 1, Suite 435, 901 South MoPac Expressway, Austin, Texas 78746; phone: 512/347-9101; fax: 512/347-9110.
- McKibben Communications has moved to: 20640 Bahama St., Chatsworth, Calif. 91311; phone: 818/775-0500; fax: 818/998-2073.
- Thomas C. Porter & Associates opens an office in Orlando Aug. 10. Susan Lee, VP of event marketing, relocates from West Des Moines to oversee the venture. Address: 6008 Raleigh St., Suite 2301, Orlando, Fla. 32835; phone: 407/290-0263