Breaking Account Win; Search for New Firm
- PR NEWS has learned that Goddard Claussen, a Washington-D.C. based public relations and public affairs firm, will again partner with the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA), also in D.C., to handle any upcoming public affairs ventures, says Richard Coorsh, director of communications for HIAA.
Coorsh says Goddard Clausen was brought on for ongoing public affairs assistance and would not elaborate.
From 1993-1994, Goddard Claussen worked on the "Harry and Louise" campaign for HIAA, a series of advertisements aimed at blasting President Clinton's healthcare reform initiative. The ads received a deluge of attention from the media and from President and Mrs. Clinton.
The ads featured pictures of a middle-aged couple, Harry and Louise, speaking about how Clinton's campaign would negatively affect their healthcare. Caroline Tieger, who handles the HIAA account at Goddard, would not comment. (Richard Coorsh, HIAA, 202/824-1787, Caroline Tieger, Goddard Claussen, 202/955-6200).
- Partylite Gifts, a Plymouth, Mass-based publicly traded maker of candles, is searching for PR agencies to review its $10,000+ PR account. Lou Hammond & Associates, New York, is the incumbent agency. Michelle Hannulah, a PR specialist for Partylite, said the company is looking for a firm for media relations and to promote the success of its sales force. She can be reached at 508/830-3100.
Appointments/Moves
- The Association of Public Relations Firms, New York, hires its first president, Jack Bergen, senior VP of corporate relations, CBS.
David Drobis is the newly appointed chair; Catherine Lugbauer, vice-chair; Margi Booth, treasurer; and Andy Hopson, secretary. The association was founded in May 1998 to represent the leading firms of the PR business to be an advocate for the industry, not individuals. (PRSA, 212/448-4211)
- Retired Brigadier General Ron Sconyers has been plucked by PRSA as its vice chairman to develop a national coalition between PRSA and The Partnership for a Drug-Free America. (PRSA, 212/460-0310)
- Bates Advertising USA signed a letter of intent July 8 to acquire the Churchill Group Inc., a Houston-based PR, advertising and research firm. (Bates, 713/267-7209)
- Marketing Support, Inc., a full-service marketing agency in Chicago, acquires Posner McGrath Ltd., Deerfield, Ill. The PR firm specializes in high-tech. (Marketing Support, 312/565-0044)
- Carl Thompson Associates has moved its headquarters to 1075 South Boulder Road, Suite 205, Louisville, Colo., 80027. (303/665-4200; fax: 303/665-5955)
- Marco Greenberg, formerly a manager at Burson-Marsteller, New York, has started his own company, NYPR. The firm will specialize in the national business and financial press. (NYPR, 212/367-9600)
MEDIA RELATIONS: New Publication on Media Relations Launches This Month
Phillips Business Information Inc., parent company of PR NEWS, is launching a new weekly publication, PR NEWS Media HotSheet, on July 20.
Readers of PR NEWS were privy to a sneak preview of the publication last week.
The weekly newsletter will cover breaking media news, media relations strategies and placement opportunities.
For information on subscribing, call 888/707-5814.
For story ideas or leads, call HotSheet reporter Elizabeth Tobbe at 301/340-7788, ext. 4130.