White House communications will take a significant hit this summer when top aide Karen Hughes leaves the Bush Administration. Hughes has been instrumental to
communications throughout Bush's campaign and presidency. Rumors are swirling about the reason for her departure - Hughes claims she and her family miss Texas - and the
possibility that other key comms personnel may be considering leaving their posts in the near future as well.
The Council of PR Firms releases its agency rankings, showing Weber Shandwick, Fleishman-Hillard and Hill and Knowlton in the top three slots, respectively. For more
rankings, see http://www.prfirms.org. The Council also reports agency revenues fell only 2.7 percent over the previous year.
A recent study from Vocus shows - surprise! - journalists are receiving what they consider to be spam from PR pros. Reporters say PR practitioners can alleviate the problem
by: Only pitching what the journalist covers - 52 percent; Pitching exclusives - 23 percent; Delivering materials on time - 23 percent.
The 2002 Middleberg-Ross Media Survey shows 81 percent of journalists consider the ability to manage change the most fundamental component of business success in coming
years.
