Record Number of Entries in for Silver Anvils
It appears the New York-based Public Relations Society of America's PR for its annual Silver Anvil awards was right on the mark this year. The PRSA, which will announce this year's winners at a June 12 gala at New York City's Equitable Center, says it received 630 entries for the 1997 competition - the most the organization has had in the five decades it has hosted the program. (PRSA, 212/460-1454)
LNS to Target Canadian Clients
LNS Communications, Cambridge, Mass., is planning on opening an office in Ottawa within the next three months to grow its client base in what's being dubbed "Silicon Valley North." As part of that plan, LNS has brought Tom Camps, former director of marketing and product management at Microstar Software Ltd., Ottawa, on board to head the stepped-up practice serving Canadian clients. (LNS, Tom Camps, 617/577-9777)
Standing Partnership Takes Business Stand on IR
Communications firm The Standing Partnership, St. Louis, launched several weeks ago its investor relations and financial communications practice by selecting Donna Beck Smith, VP, to manage the new endeavor. Before joining The Standing Partnership this month, Smith headed her own consulting practice and dealt extensively with issues involving NASDAQ-and NYSE-traded companies.
The company, as part of its strategic plans to target the analyst and investment community, will develop and produce annual reports, quarterly earnings releases and other financial documents required by the SEC.
Smith said it's likely the firm will bring new employees into its folds as the practice evolves, but for now, existing staffers will become part of the new IR team. (Standing Partnership, Donna Beck Smith, 314/727-1070)
Four Seasons PR Directors To Swap Jobs Temporarily
In an innovative move couched as providing its employees with a unique kind of insight into colleagues' jobs, Four Seasons Hotel unveiled its plans for two PR heads to swap jobs for a three-month period.
Rebecca Werner and Charlotte Doherty, from New York and London, respectively, will begin in April working in each other's office to get a grasp of what each cohort faces in her job. The move is also meant to help the two develop relationships with journalists in these key hotel markets.
As part of the duo's temporary job switchs, each will head promotions designed to merge the two PR and business cultures: Doherty will oversee afternoon tea presentations at Four Seasons hotels in New York, Washington, D.C., Boston and Philadelphia, and Werner will host a Manhattan-style cocktail party in London. (Four Seasons, 212/758-5700)
Tool for Talent Hunters
We don't know if country singers are on a par with political experts, but for PR professionals seeking easy-to-find talent for special events, here's a resource worth checking out: The 1997 Directory of Free Programs, Performing Talent and Attractions lists several hundred sources of free entertainment and ideas for special events.
The directory, which is also available on computer disk, costs $34.95 and includes names of diplomats, White House advisors, authors, air shows, exhibits and sports-related entertainment. It is published by the Pageant Publishing Co., Owls Head, N.Y. For details, call 514/678-5774.
Diedrich Sells Shares to VPs
Chicago PR veteran Cathleen Johnson - who began her PR career as an intern at Janet Diedrichs & Associates Inc., Chicago and is a VP at the 27-year-old PR house - became one its principal minority share holders March 19. Another firm VP, John Cullen, was also named a minority share holder. Diedrichs said the decision to sell the shares was triggered by the company's "aggressive growth state." (JD&A, 312/346-7886)