Toys R Us customer service snafu becomes image liability as attorneys launch a class action suit against the company's online unit for accepting toy orders it could not possibly fill.
Monster.com bolsters its public image by donating a 30-second, Super Bowl pre-game spot to Groundhog Job Shadow Day, a nationwide effort that gives young people the chance to shadow career mentors. Cost of the donation: $400,000.
Indicating the growing prestige of PR, public relations consultant Kenneth Lerer will be part of Steve Case's inner circle as the AOL chief executive attempts to secure his boardroom power base in the wake of the Time Warner merger. Lerer was brought into to AOL in 1997 by then-president Robert Pittman.
Robert Lear leaves the post of managing director,Ogilvy PR Worldwide, Europe to become president of BSMG Worldwide...Jennifer Homer is elected president, IABCWashington...Thomas Buckmaster is named VP of corporate communications for Honeywell...Louis Cancelmi is named VP of corporate communications for Alaska Airlines...former Shandwick VPof technology Michael Causey moves to Strat@comm, taking senior counselor postion in firm's new communications technology practice.
WPP's Banner McBride North America unit becomes a subsidary of Hill and Knowlton...Porter Novelli Convergence Group acquires technology firm EBS Public Relations, Inc.
Ford Motor Co. has no plans to appeal a judge's ruling that allows online journalists to publish parts of its Web site that hosts secret business strategies and product plans. (PRN, Sept. 20)
