Business Buzz
Hill and Knowlton in High-Gear
Hill and Knowlton, Inc.
acquires Sommers & Associates, a Houston-based PR firm, naming President Thomas G. Sommers a senior managing director in the Houston office
...In other H&K happenings, Tony Panaccio joins H&K's Tampa office as managing director; he came from Edelman in Miami where he was VP for the technology practice; Ted Graham promoted to first worldwide director of knowledge management services after serving in the same capacity for H&K's Canadian region; WTTG-TV5 Fox News (Washington, D.C.) Weekend News Anchor David Burnett joins H&K's D.C. office as managing director in media relations. (H&K, 212/885-0300)
- Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide/Los Angeles is plucked by Checkout.com (partners include Michael Ovitz and Richard Wolpert) to launch the company and its entertainment Web site. Debuting this summer, new URLs will include CheckOutMusic.com, CheckOutVideos.com and CheckOutGames.com. (Ogilvy, 310/996-0545)
- Newly formed North American Standardbred Owners and Breeders Alliance saddles up with Cohn & Wolfe, New York. The firm will develop a marketing plan to raise awareness, corral new owners and increase the number of fans. (Cohn & Wolfe, 212/598-3600)
- Alexander Jutkowitz leaves the chairman's slot at Global Strategy Group, New York, to join BSMG as partner and president of its KRC Research unit. Jutkowitz's reputation for global branding, positioning and marketing comes from his work with clients such as Simon & Schuster, New Line Cinema and Chase Bank. (BSMG, 212/445-8009)
On The Radar Screen
We're all guilty at times of using too many cliches or coining descriptors that are more generic than they are grabbing, but the PR industry seems to be in overdrive mode these days. PR execs especially should realize that journalists put on their skeptic caps when they see phrases like "leading firm" and "best solution."
So in the spirit of constructive criticism, we offer this comment about a Ketchum press release that landed on our desk and touted the agency's "Best Teams" approach.
As if the "Worst Teams" approach is even an option.