On the Cyber PR Scene: Online Museum Planning For Page Exhibit
The Museum of Public Relations, http://www.prmuseum.com, which launched at the beginning of November, had about 18,000 hits during its first full month up, according to Barry Spector, creative director/CEO of Spector & Associates, the firm credited with the undertaking. Named a hot site by USA Today, it has sparked industry buzz because the site is so refreshingly hype-free. (Spector is based in both New York City and Short Hills, N.J.)
Content now centers around a retrospective look at Edward L. Bernays, the granddaddy of PR who spent the early part of his career as a Broadway press agent, but later provided PR guidance to organizations as diverse as the War Department's Committee on Public Information and NAACP to Procter & Gamble and Filene's Department Stores.
Next on the virtual tour schedule is Arthur Page, another industry guru. Expect that exhibit to be ready in about two months. (Barry Spector, 473/467-5858)
IPREX Surveying 'Common Mistakes in Foreign Markets'
If you want to get in your two-cents-worth or are just looking for a sounding board, consider making an Internet sojourn to http://www.iprex.com, which has posted an online survey about where companies are missing the boat when it comes to cultural protocol in global marketing.
IPREX plans on using the information to "advance the cause of global PR," but it's also an opportune way to share your views on commonplace international business faux pas.
You'll be asked whether you agree with a long list of statements, including your take on this dastardly practice: "Transplanting Americans with rudimentary language skills." (http://www.iprex.com)
Moves At the Top/Business Changes
- Steve Bryant has been named executive VP and COO of EvansGroup Public Relations, the $7 million PR division of marcom firm EvansGroup, Seattle. Bryant, a 12-year EvansGroup veteran who has worked with clients PETsMART and law firm Preston Gates & Ellis, will support CEO Jon Johnson and President Andy Hopson. (EvansGroup, 206/270-4604)
- Judith S. Jorgensen has been named VP of the consumer marketing group at Edelman Worldwide's San Francisco office. She came from the Magazine Publishers of America, New York, where she was VP of communications. (Edelman, 415/433-5381)
- The Abernathy MacGregor Group, Inc., a New-York based business which counsels senior managers of corporations on sage communications practices, has changed its name to Abernathy MacGregor Frank to recognize firm VP Joele Frank's contributions to the company. (Abernathy MacGregor Frank, 212/371-5999)
- Dillon Advertising and PR, Minneapolis, has changed its ownership: Agency founder Richard Dillon sold all interest in the company to its current partners. The business is now owned by Bill Andrews, senior partner/president; Chris Birt, partner/VP and executive creative director; and Bill Fuesz, partner/VP and PR director. (Dillon, 612/349-2704)
Tools
- Online Public Relations (http://www.online-pr.com) provides hundreds of resources and information links to PR pros. A bevy of info. is featured, including details about online content development; online events; and media relations how-tos to active links to paid search service sites; computer and Internet magazine sites; and financial media, info. and stock exchange Web sites. (http://www.online-pr.com)
- For a base price of $1,200 in a Windows environment, the CommCore Consulting Group, Washington, D.C., is promoting its Crisis Plan wRiter software, which automates crisis planning. The program is a framework to help companies brainstorm the multitude of crisis issues they can face. What's included is crisis response procedures (users can customize the default process); contact sheets and numbers; crisis fact sheets to keep the crisis team up-to-date; and press releases. Another plus is that execs can craft a basic umbrella outline, with sub-plans for various crisis abstracts. (CommCore, 202/659-4177)