Burson-Marsteller has formed an Ethical and Social Responsibility practice in response to increased corporate scrutiny. The practice is led by Richard Aylard, Nick Bent
and Louise Hawson in London; and John Clarke, Jordana Friedman and Julie Jack in New York. (See cover story.) In other B-M news, the U.S. Treasury Department has awarded the
agency a $55 million contract to debut new anti-counterfeit currency to be launched next year.
Marriott Corp. has its britches in a bunch over a photo spread including young women dressed in little more than their own britches. The spread appeared along with a recent
satirical piece in GQ which described the high-living lifestyle of "Frenchie and Dallas Marriot" (one "t," not two), who GQ editors say are a spoof on the real-life Hilton
sisters. Despite the difference in spelling, Marriott is speaking out against the article, saying it damages the company's good name.
PR Newswire cut about 30 percent of its staff in the wake of revenue declines. Many attribute the declines to corporate reluctance to release news in an environment of
heightened scrutiny.
