Stories by PRNEWS

The $1.2 billion sale of 22 Columbia/HCA hospitals to a consortium of non-profit entities last month brought on a wave of local uncertainty on what the new hospitals’ status will be to the communities involved.… Continued

Virginia’s Department of Health is being accused by two state television stations of trying to secure more bang for its advertising buck with guaranteed news coverage of its abstinence campaign. Marketing officials blasted the campaign… Continued

Who: United Healthcare Corp. (Minneapolis) to acquire Humana, Inc. (Louisville, Ky.). When: Proposed acquisition was announced May 28. The $5.5 billion transaction requires shareholder and regulatory approval and is expected to close in the third… Continued

Institute for Healthcare Improvement Marketing Director for Boston-based, not-for-profit organization. Strong background in direct marketing, planning, research, pricing, advertising and media relations. Requires writing and communications skills. Must have 5+ years management experience. Position will… Continued

In spite of increased health news opportunities, some PR professionals are slamming into editorial coverage barriers when they can’t produce "value added" marketing incentives for some news outlets. This situation tends to be most prevalent… Continued

On the Radar Screen PR Agency Missteps On Size of E3 If you need help with your taxes, don’t call on Bender, Goldman & Helper. In its June 1 press release on the Electronic Entertainment… Continued

New Hires The Aker Partners names Gregory Howard as associate partner to its Washington D.C.,-based office; he was a publicist at Fenton Communications. Allied Domecq, Southfield, Mich., names Earnestine Perry corporate communications director for Allied… Continued

When Microsoft Corp. [MSFT] approached Shandwick/New York in November 1996 to promote its new "Barney ActiMates" interactive toy, the firm faced an equal number of possibilities and challenges. While Shandwick had the leverage of promoting… Continued

June 12-14: "Education Conference," Public Relations Society of America,College Park, Md., 212/955-2230, http://www.prsa.org. June 14-17 : "IABC 1998 International Conference," International Association of Business Communicators, Hyatt Regency, New Orleans, 800/776-4222; http://www.iabc.com. June 18-19: "PR Open… Continued

PAG Study Shows Southwest Flying High in Customers’ Minds Just when you thought the kudos bestowed upon Southwest Airlines may have come to a halt, the company comes out on top in a recent report… Continued