On The Radar Screen
With a limping starting quarterback, a coach closing practices to the media, a running back nabbed for using a handicapped parking permit, and a brand new owner breathing down his neck, maybe the job of PR director for the Washington Redskins was too much for John Konoza, who recently resigned his job on what would have been his third day of work. Or maybe it was the counter-offer from his old employer, a car dealership in Warrenton, Va. Don't bother sending resumes, though. Owner Daniel Snyder will choose Konoza's successor from the candidates who interviewed the first time around.
Pass Rate Soars for PR Exam
Either the candidates are getting smarter or they're getting better answers ahead of time. Sixty-eight percent (144 of the 213 candidates) passed the spring 1999 Accredited in Public Relations exam after only 51% of fall 1998 candidates passed. It was the highest pass rate in more than five years since 75% passed in fall 1994.
The Accreditation Board offered a new APR study guide and an online study course for local accreditation chairs in preparation for the most recent exam.
New Resource for to Simplify Gov't Information
The government might soon be a little less complicated for PR professionals. GovSpot, a site billing itself as a government information portal, debuts this week at http://www.govspot.com. The site offers a high-utility collection of top government and civic resources along with nonpartisan editorial content. The free resource center simplifies the search for the best government Web sites and documents, facts, figures, news and political information. (GovSpot, Stephanie Meismer, 303/455-5223)
Research and Ideas
- Corporate assets was voted the least important criteria by both PR professionals and students responding to the Fortune "Most Admired Companies" survey, according to the Council of Public Relations Firms. PR professionals cited quality of products the most important criteria (48%), followed by quality of management (14%), employee talent (13%) and innovativeness (13%). Students, 88% of whom were MBA candidates, most admired companies for quality of management (28%), quality of products (27%) and innovativeness (20%). The three most admired companies among all groups were Southwest Airlines (16%), Dell Computer (15%) and Microsoft (12%). (Council of PR Firms, 877/PRFIRMS)
- It might seem like a little thing to a busy manager, but it's important to make sure employees are appreciated. At Bell South, for example, the call center manager unexpectedly scooped out ice cream to call-center employees during a tour of a Charlotte, N.C., center, reports Rewarding Employees newsletter. (Rewarding Employees, Bob Nelson, 800/575-5521)
- Start a new team with an informal retreat or off-site meeting that can be used for goal-setting, as well as letting team members to get to know one another, advises Rewarding Employees.
Anniversaries, Alliances
Anniversaries Abound. Local business-to-business communications agency The Sparkman Co. marks its 25th anniversary. Sparkman specializes in mid-sized to large high-tech and industrial b-to-b clients. Tsantes & Associates, a Silicon Valley-based PR agency, celebrates a decade of providing strategic and communications counsel. The agency specializes in highly focused PR programs for technology-based companies. Tsantes is a $2 million agency. (The Sparkman Co., 310/377-4844; Tsantes & Associates, 408/369-1500)
Cohn & Wolfe Allies with Torrenzano. Cohn & Wolfe has formed a strategic alliance with The Torrenzano Group, a corporate communications firm specializing in financial communications, investor relations and crisis communications. (Cohn & Wolfe, Sheila Rose, 212/598-3639)
People Moves
The Terpin Group, a PR agency for high tech and new media company, names Amy J. Goldberger the agency's new VP and general manager of its New York office. Prior to joining The Terpin Group, Goldberger was director of media relations for Joseph E. Seagram & Sons Inc. where she was responsible for corporate media relations and annual report development for the entertainment and beverage company. (The Terpin Group, Genevieve Bourget, 310/821-6100)
- The MWW Group, East Rutherford, N.J., appointed two new senior communications counselors. Louis Mastria, formerly supervisor of business development at the Port Authority of New York City joins as Public Affairs Director and Keith Furlong, formerly public onformation officer and legislative liaison, Division of Gaming Enforcement, Department of Law & Public Safety, joines as legislative director at the Trenton, N.J. office. (MWW Group, 201/507-9500)
Job Tracker
Public Relations Coordinator
Responsibilities include media relations campaign development and event planning and implementation. Must have 3-5 years experience with skills in regional, national and international story placement, strategic planning, writing and event management. Travel may be required. Competitive salary plus benefits.
Please submit writing samples, reference and resume to: Human Resources, PO Box 1033, Wilmington, DC 19899.
To place a 50-word Job Tracker ad for 2 weeks ($100 prepaid/$75 per listing for sister publications Healthcare PR & Marketing News, Interactive PR & Marketing News or Web site http://www.prandmarketing.com), go to http://www.prandmarketing.com, click on "Career Center", then click on "Job Tracker". Or, contact Karen Singer at 301/340-7778, ext. 2322; fax: 301/340-1451; e-mail: [email protected]. Deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesdays.
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