Association Takes Stand Against Nixing Univ. of Md. PR Program
The ongoing debate over the University of Maryland's decision to abolish its undergraduate sequence received another injection of industry attention Aug. 10: More than 450 members of the Public Relations Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (AEJMC) authored a resolution opposing the university's decision to wipe out the undergraduate PR sequence in favor of broader media studies. (William Adams, chair, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, Florida International University, 305/919-5795)
Send-off to Sunbeam's CEO Might Boost Morale, But It's in Poor Taste
We're all for giving employees a voice and a stake in a company, but we think the Glenwillow, Ohio, Mr. Coffee plant went a bit far when it threw a bash in celebration of the departure of Al "Chainsaw" Dunlap. The plant, which was on Dunlap's chopping block to be closed, stays open until Feb. 1. We're just hoping workers didn't try to hang Dunlap in effigy. That would be tough to put in your employee relations handbook.
The Part-Time Pull: Today's Workforce More 'Time' Variant
Are you saddled with trying to build a PR staff with only full-time employees? If so, a new survey suggests that it's time to rethink that strategy. New findings from the nonprofit research and advisory organization Catalyst Group conclude that 78 percent of full-time professionals and 98 percent of part-time professionals agree that offering flex work schedules help with employee retention. Catalyst works with businesses to advance women.
Over a two-year period, about 2,000 managers and their supervisors, at four major U.S. businesses, were questioned about part-time work arrangements.
Other conclusions:
- 57 percent of participants are influenced by part-time arrangements;
- 7 percent work part-time;
- 21 percent anticipate that they will work part time at some point in their career;
- 37 percent stress that their part-time arrangements were essential to their continued work for an employer;
- 46 percent concur that working part-time doesn't bar employees from being productive;
- 31 percent expect to be promoted while working part-time; and
- 92 percent report increased morale, and 53 percent say they have a commitment to their employer.
(Catalyst, 212/514-7600)
Business Moves
- Changes at Burson-Marsteller in New York: Neil E. Herman comes on board as a director in its corporate practice. The former FBI terrorist specialist will specialize in crisis management;
Leonard H. Ellis joins as managing director of interactive services. He comes from ad agency Messner Vetere Berger McNamee Schmetterer EuroRSCG, where he led the 30-person interactive unit. (BM, 212/614-4000)
- Craig Kaminer departs Shandwick in St. Louis to begin a new marcom and Internet agency with offices in St. Louis and New York. The company, Influence, is getting off the ground through $25 million in equity and debt Kaminer has raised to make acquisitions. (Influence, 314/393-3006)
- Speaking of Shandwick, the company has appointed what it's calling the industry's first "chief learning officer." Bruce Benidt, a 10-year veteran of Shandwick becomes CLO Nov. 1. A former daily journalist and college teacher, he'll provide counsel and training course to clients and Shandwick staff. (Shandwick, 212/591-9708)