Online
Middleberg Launches Online Unit
Middleberg & Associates, New York, launched March 31 its new online unit, Middleberg Interactive, to serve clients relying on new technologies and interactive communications. The new division will provide online communications consulting; Internet crisis communications counseling; Web site development and management; Web site promotion; and online message management. (Middleberg & Associates, 212/888-6610)
International
MS&L Enter PR Market in India
New York PR giant Manning, Selvage & Lee - the same company that just settled a lawsuit with three PR executives who left its Atlanta operation to start their own PR firm - has moved into India.
The PR firm has entered into an exclusive partnership with Genesis PR, a PR firm founded in 1992 which serves clients in New Dehli, Bangalore, Calcutta and Mumbai. The affiliation with Genesis means that MS&L will outsource work to the agency whose clients include Whirlpool, the Discovery Channel, Westinghouse, Sprint and Thai International Airways. (MS&L, 212/213-7025)
Agencies
Effective March 27, Lazzaro & Associates, an advertising/PR agency in Fort Worth, was restructured as an independent marketing consultation company after CEO Paul Lazzaro let go of five of his employees to be become an independent consultant. The company, which will still operate under the same name, will be headed by Lazzaro and two other staffers: Kevin Gardner, PR/account services manager and Joseph Crutsinger, administrative services manager. (Paul Lazzaro, 817/332-7557)
Nichol & Co. Ltd. Public Relations has moved to new offices in the same building to more than double the company's space. The new address is: 245 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016; phone: 212/889-6401.
Griffin & Co., a marcom firm specializing in the building industry, has relocated to Jefferson Court, 1025 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW, Suite 310 East, Washington, D.C. 20007; phone: 202/625-2515.
New PR Tools
Wynkoop said that the impetus for the Network creation was when he typed "public relations" into an Internet search engine one day and 2.8 million possible references came back. The new network is designed to target PR firms by specialty, location and other variables through its "Instant Business-to-Business Village" listing of member companies. (NPRN, 303/670-9772)