The Week in PR

1. Back to Barcelona: With it being Measurement Week in North America (please see page 9), it’s important to note the International Association for Measurement and Evaluation of Communication (AMEC) launched an updated Barcelona Principles, which it’s calling Barcelona Principles 2.0. Launched earlier this month, it’s the first update to the Principles. The original Principles were launched in 2010 in Barcelona. Past AMEC chair and Ketchum partner David Rockland led the update. If the original principles focused more on “what not to do,” the update provides more guidance on “what to do,” he said. Key points of the revised principles include: widening the scope beyond PR measurement; reinforcing the importance of integrated communications and measurement of it; distinguishing between measurement and evaluation; emphasizing the importance of qualitative information in measurement and evaluation; and reminding professionals that measurement and evaluation be transparent, consistent and valid. The original partners — ICCO, Institute for Public Relations, PRCA, PRSA and The Global Alliance — joined AMEC in developing the new framework. Measurement guru and PR News contributor Katie Paine had mixed reactions to the update. “I’m a huge fan of the changes in the PR industry that the Barcelona Principles have inspired,” she said. “I had high hopes that the bar might be raised [for B2], and stricter language relative to AVEs and bad measurement practices inserted. I also hoped the groups behind the rewrite might recognize the progress in getting standards in place. On those points I was disappointed.”

2. 

   News Bits: How long does a brand suffer from a scandal? And can that time period be reduced when the CEO and other senior officials, including an EVP for communications, resign, possibly to avoid prosecution? Or will a stench linger because one of the principals is closely linked to presidential hopeful Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.)? Those are some of the questions the PR community will be debating as the United Airlines-Port Authority situation unfolds. Last Tuesday United CEO Jeff Smisek, EVP for communications and government affairs Nene Foxhall and SVP for corporate and government affairs Mark R. Anderson resigned. The resignations “are in connection with the company’s previously disclosed internal investigation related to the federal investigation associated with the Port Authority of NY and NJ,” United said. Federal authorities are investigating whether United reinstated flights from Newark, N.J., to Columbia, S.C., near the weekend home of Port Authority chairman David Samson. United had been negotiating with Samson on landing rights and improvements at Newark Airport. The investigation grew out of a federal inquiry into lane closings at the George Washington Bridge that Christie officials ordered. The Port Authority runs the area’s airports and bridges. A Christie confidante, Samson resigned last year after the bridge scandal was revealed. Christie appointed him in 2010. United’s falling share price and poor performance had made Smisek vulnerable prior to the scandal. Yet the skies were friendly to him—his departure package is valued at nearly $8 million. – At press time Finn Partners said itacquired PR agency Horn Group Inc., an early adopter of digital PR. The move expands Finn’s technology practice and makes Sabrina Horn managing partner, U.S. technology practice leader for Finn. All Horn Group employees will be retained, Finn Partners said in a statement.

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   People Moves: Golin CEO Fred Cook was named director of USC’s Annenberg’s Strategic Communication and Public Relations Center. Cook is the first active CEO to head the Center. He also will teach PR at the university. – Stanton Communications promoted Lori Russo to president. Formerly managing director, Russo joined Stanton in 1999 in an entry-level position. Today, she leads the agency’s Washington, D.C., and Baltimore offices. Peter Stanton will remain CEO of Stanton Communications. Recognized for her expertise in social media marketing, Russo has spoken at several PR News events. – The Beer Institute tapped (no pun intended) Denise Dunckel as VP, public affairs. Beginning work this week, she’ll lead the Beer Institute’s public affairs effort aimed at educating stakeholders, the media, the public and policy makers about beer’s $253 billion economic impact in the U.S., the industry’s commitment to responsible behavior and the quality of its products. Previously Dunckel worked in the D.C. office of Visa and the White House as well as several federal agencies and presidential campaigns. – Cable network IFC named Sallie Schoneboom SVP of PR. Schoneboom joins IFC from NBCUniversal, where she served as SVP of communications for the Syfy and Chiller networks. Prior to that, she worked at Disney-ABC Television Group and CBS.

This article originally appeared in the September 14, 2015 issue of PR News. Read more subscriber-only content by becoming a PR News subscriber today.