Where venture capitalists lead, PR often follows. And VC dollars are gushing. According to the National Venture Capital Association and Venture Economics, VC investments
in entrepreneurial companies reached record levels in Q1 of this year ($22.7 billion, compared with only $6.2 billion in Q1 1999). Computer-related and communications industries
claimed the biggest chunks of VC cash ($12.4 billion and $6.02 billion, respectively).
Dealmakers: GCI Group will acquire Russell-Welsh, Inc., a San Mateo, Calif. biotech communications firm...The Seattle agencies Hawkins & Co. and The Fearley Group
merge. The new entity will operate as The Fearley Group, headed by president and CEO Patricia Fearley.
Jim Cox returns to Hill & Knowlton as senior managing director and U.S. director of client development after a stint with GCI Group...Thomas Goodwill is named
executive VP at the Hawthorn Group, where he will lead efforts to expand the agency's healthcare practice.
