BROTMAN WINS SUIT VS. BLACK & DECKER

Baltimore PR counselor Phyllis Brotman on Jan. 13 won her lawsuits against Black & Decker and a former employee when a jury of seven found the company and the ex-employee of Brotman guilty of breaking a non-solicitation agreement.

B&D was ordered to pay Brotman $645,000 and former employee David P. Olsen was ordered to pay $295,000. The total was $940,000.

Brotman, exultant at the verdict, which came after a seven-week trial, said it was a victory for herself, her family and the PR industry.

She quoted John F. Kennedy as saying, "Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names."

That paper said Olsen was not to work for any ID client he had worked on until two years after leaving the company (unless a written release had been obtained). No such release had been given.

The Daily Record, Maryland business and legal news publication that has closely covered the trial, quoted B&D attorney Mark Gately as saying that the non-solicitation agreement was "only valid to the extent that it protects legitimate business interests."

Gately noted that the court itself had said B&D did not have to continue with ID and Brotman unless it desired to do so.

ID had "no legitimate business interest" in stopping Olsen from going to work for B&D, said Gately.

Money Was Motive

Rifkin argued that B&D's motive in firing ID and hiring Olsen was to "save money." Olsen, working out of his home, was able to do his job for B&D at "a third" of the price, said Rifkin.

The B&D account was worth $250,000 to $400,000 at ID and included assignments for three B&D divisions plus corporate. The firm had the account eight years, with billings in the last year (1996) amounting to $410,000.

Observers estimated B&D spent more than $1 million on the case. Court testimony revealed B&D spent more than $100,000 for testimony by accountants who analyzed ID's invoices. Kate Ellis, a former ID employee, had also joined B&D.

SOUTH AFRICA TO PETER MARTIN, DBA

South Africa Tourism Board named Peter Martin Assocs., Stamford, Conn., and DBA Communications, Toronto, to replace Development Counsellors International, New York.

The two firms also work on the Jamaica Tourist Board.  Martin said SATB will pay about $225,000 for a six-month period to April 1, the start of SATB’s fiscal year. The contract is open-ended with additional fees for special events.

The two firms will do PR in North and South America.

Wescott, who chaired the 1999 national conference of PRSA, has succeeded Christine Gronkiewicz, formerly of Ameritech, as accreditation chair of PRSA.  Gronkiewicz held the post one year.

Her predecessor, national board member Roger Lewis of Commercial Federal Bank, Omaha, had it two years.

PR FIRMS DRUM UP FLU COVERAGE

"Flu is Now in New York City," reads a headline on a press release sent out by Edelman PR Worldwide for Hoffmann-La Roche, in Nutley, N.J.

The release, which was labeled a "medical/health report," was sent to reporters and assignment desks to drum up news coverage of a three-day "educational" event that took place in New York on Jan. 11 at the Plaza Hotel; Jan. 12 in Little Italy, and Jan. 13 in Greenwich Village.

Hoffmann-La Roche is sponsoring a person in a glass cube to promote Tamiflu, a new pill used to alleviate the side effects of influenza types A and B.

Tamiflu and Glaxo-Wellcome’s Relenza, which works with an inhaler, were approved six months ago by the Food and Drug Administration.

DeVries PR is handling G-W’s educational PR campaign. Madeline de Vries said her firm had generated lots of press coverage the "old fashioned" PR way using press releases.

Hoffmann-La Roche is also using models, dressed as "grannies," who are stationed in various areas around the city, handing out product information and packets of chicken soup.

Diamond Group, a New York-based promotion marketing agency and division of Lowe Lintas & Ptrs., created Tamiflu’s retail promotion initiatives, including the cube.

F.D.A. Issues Warning

The FDA issued an advisory Jan. 12 to doctors around the U.S. warning them against prescribing Tamiflu and Relenza to flu patients with bacterial infections.

The advisory said vaccination remains the only way to prevent influenza.

Dr. Heidi Jolson, director of the FDA’s division of antiviral drug products, said five flu patients, whose conditions were complicated by bacterial infections, were prescribed Relenza, and all died.

A flu patient with a serious bacterial infection was prescribed Tamiflu and recovered, Jolson said.

"These cases suggest that these products are being used in patients who are at higher risk of adverse outcomes. We want to make certain that physicians understand that there is no evidence that these products work in those patients," the FDA said.

Relenza spokeswoman, Lisa Behrens, who is product communications manager, said about 300,000 prescriptions have been written for the drug.

Tamiflu spokesman, Charles Alfaro, who is assistant director of PR, said prescriptions number in the hundreds of thousands.

The FDA ordered Glaxo to pull an ad featuring Wayne Knight (Newman on the "Seinfeld" show) because the spot suggested Relenza is more effective than has been demonstrated.

PRO GIVES CRISIS ADVICE IN NEW BOOK

Rene A. Henry, a PR consultant for more than 30 years, has written a guide book on crisis and risk communications, entitled "You’d Better Have a Hose If You Want to Put Out the Fire," which has just been released.

The 320-page book deals with natural disasters, violence in the workplace, education, sports, government and military, healthcare and the environment.

Henry’s book also has information on libel; how to deal with attorneys in crisis situations; how and when management should fight back when unfairly attacked; when and when not to speak out, and how to close the book on a crisis.

The softcover book is $30 from Gollywobbler Productions, Box 1978, Windsor, CA 95492-1976.

PR TRADE PAPERS ARE RAPPED BY JACKSON

PR reporter, a weekly newsletter, criticizes the editorial content of two PR trade publications— PRSA’s Tactics and PR Week.

The newsletter, which is edited and published by Pat Jackson, said both publications offer entertainment rather than what readers "need-to-know" to serve clients and employers.

Both publications "scream at the top of their voices that 'publicity & celebrity’ are everything.  Yet for the majority of clients this approach must be viewed critically," the newsletter said in its Jan. 10 issue.

PR FIRM KICKS OFF CHAMPAGNES WEEK

KCSA PR Worldwide, New York, helped the Champagne Wine Information Bureau launch Champagnes Week 2000, a nationwide promotion.

Members of the "press and trade" were invited to a Jan. 17 tasting at Bubble Lounge, New York.

The maiden issue of LatinCEO was published last month by Richard Roffman, who is the publisher and editor of Latin Trade and Miami Business magazines.

The new English-language monthly is aimed at top executives of Latin American corporations and Latin American divisions of multinational corporations.

Roffman, who runs the Miami-based American Publishing Group, said Latin America’s top-tier executives have long been overlooked by the media.

Each issue of LatinCEO will feature a range of profiles of the leaders who run Latin America’s most successful companies.

Stories will focus on key industry sectors, from information technology to professional services to banking and finance.

Editor-in-chief J.P. Faber said the magazine also will showcase topics of personal interest to Latin American executives, including art, travel, executive fashion, real estate, personal investing and healthcare.

The magazine has an initial distribution of 60,000 throughout Latin America and the U.S. In the U.S., 5,000 are being sent directly to the top executives of Latin American divisions of U.S.-based multinationals.

Faber is located at 200 S.E. 1st st., Miami, 33131.  305/379-1118.

MAGAZINE TO TARGET HISPANIC PARENTS

American Baby Group and the American Academy of Pediatrics plan to start a new magazine, called Healthy Kids en Espanol, in May 2000.

This new publication is an extension of Healthy Kids, published bimonthly by ABG since 1989.

The 100% Spanish-language magazine will have original editorial, relevent for Hispanic parents.

It will be distributed in pediatricians offices and to members of the AAP.  The initial launch circulation is 500,000 (May through December 2000).

Publicists can pitch information to the magazine’s editor, Joceline Frank, who is with ABG.  212/724-2520; cell phone: 917/439-6011.

PLACEMENT TIPS ______________________

The new monthly magazine will feature articles on technology, marketing strategies, product development, market research and managing people.

The first issue is due out in February.

Cyril Tuohy, who was previously a reporter for The New Jersey Herald, in Newton, is editor.  212/803-8886.

The lead story in the first issue, featuring a nude woman on the cover, is headlined "The Naked Truth About Offshore Business."

The issue also has articles about skiing in Switzerland, Russian mail order brides, and boating in the Caribbean.

Jeffrey Corbett, who is editor and co-publisher, is based in Redondo Beach, Calif. 310/376-3480.

NEW EDITORIAL FACES AT B&C MAGAZINE

P.J. Bednarski, who was previously editor of Electronic Media, has joined Broadcasting & Cable as executive editor.

Bednarski will report to editor Harry A. Jesell.

Susan Qualtrough, formerly managing editor of Video Business, will join B&C as managing editor on Jan. 31, suceeding Mark Miller, who was interim M.E. since last October.

Ken Kerschbaumer, previously editor of Digital Television, has joined B&C to cover technology and new media.

PEOPLE ___________________________

She will oversee the same beats, which will be written by retail reporter Abigail Goldman and advertising and marketing reporter Greg Johnson.

BE ACCURATE WHEN PITCHING ONLINE

Charles Melichar, former editor at ProfNet, said the key to pitching online media outlets effectively is to know the medium.

"Understand that online content must be current, accurate and engaging," said Melichar in an interview with [email protected], a free E-mail newsletter published by MediaMap.

Melichar, who runs the online news site for the Univ. of Maryland at Baltimore County, said providing graphics and other supporting data is key to having a "reader-friendly and reporter-friendly story."

It is also important to understand that with online journalism, traditional deadlines are out the window, said Melichar, who handled story queries from reporters when he was working for ProfNet.

"They don’t `go to print’ at a specific time— when a story breaks, an online reporter will have to react quickly and efficiently," he said.

"They’re challenged with writing a solid, accurate story in a very tight time frame, so you’ve got to respond with solid, accurate information just as quickly.

"Prompt delivery of complete and concise information is a necessity," said Melichar.

PLACEMENT TIPS ______________________

Steve Waldman, a former national editor for U.S. News & World Report, and Robert Nylen, the former CEO and publisher of the New England Monthly, have started beliefnet.com.

The site will feature articles from leading theologians and scholars on topics such as science and faith.

It has sections on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism, and a memorials section, which allows visitors to post a private tribute to a  deceased friend.

Charles Henderson, publisher of Cross Currents magazine, oversees About.com’s Christianity site.

Scott Kurnit, a former ad agency executive, is CEO of About.com, which went public in October.

Free copies are available to PR pros at MDS, Dept. P, 307 W. 36th st., New York, NY 10018-0230; fax: 212/714-9092.

Hudson’s, which in the past had furnished quarterly updates, claims to be the only directory, except the telephone, to provide "directory assistance"—online—24 hours a day.

This year 4,258 news outlets (bureaus, newspapers, radio/TV stations, news services, magazines, newsletters and syndicates) are listed, along with 4,827 correspondents and editors.

The 466-page directory sells for $229, including revisions.  P.O. Box 311, Rhinebeck, NY 12572,  800/572/3451; fax: 914/876-2561.

Adventure covers demanding travel, with the Jan.-Feb. issue featuring articles on excavating frozen mummies in the Andes, five unspoiled Caribbean destinations and a woman’s attempt to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

MEDIA BRIEFS _____________________

The newspaper may be the first U.S. daily to make the permanent switch to cyberspace, according to the American Journalism Review.

The magazines, which were started by Freedom Communications in 1995, have lost about $12 million since 1996.

Sports Afield’s headquarters will be relocated to Van Nuys, Calif.

The magazine’s content will focus on hunting and fishing coverage, which was the original niche format of the magazine when it was founded in 1887 as an eight-page "Journal for Gentlemen."

He will continue as CEO of the agency, which also handles PR for Stuff.

FUTURIST PREDICTS LONG LIFE

Edith Weiner, president of Weiner, Edrich and Brown, a futurist consulting group with clients that range from the U.S. Congress to top companies, predicts people will live longer and stay younger looking this century.

While the world of 60-year-olds is growing and the birth rate is declining in many countries, Weiner told 100 members of NIRI/New York at a Jan. 12 luncheon that one of the biggest social trends of the 21st century will be a higher percentage of people who will live to be 100 years old, and have longer active lifestyles.

Weiner, who is a consultant to Avon’s "Women of Enterprise" awards program, was introduced by Carol Murray-Negron, VP of IR for Avon, as one of the most influential practitioners of social, technological, political and economic intelligence-gathering today.

Weiner, who spoke for about 45 minutes, believes lifestyles will remain "mentally stuck" for most older Americans on age 35.  

This means people will participate in the same leisure activities from the time they are 35 until they reach 75, said Weiner, who also made the observation that elderly people are also starting to look younger than their age.

She said that some people in 1950, who were 55, looked 75, while nowadays, men and women who are 75 look 55.

Weiner also believes more men will retire at age 55, just as women enter their peak earning years.

Accreditation Not Necessary

Some of her other predictions:

—Individuals and businesses will stop relying on professionals who use accreditation and credentials to establish their expertise.  They will use consultants, who share their own views, for advice.

—Global corporations will replace governments as the enforcers of human rights.

—Corporations and individuals will put a high priority on privacy protection.

—The world will become more of a secular civilization, but at the same time, there will be a rise of religion and spirituality and fundamentalism.

Weiner said the religious differences between Christians and Islamic believers, which is now the second largest religion in the U.S., will pose problems for corporations.

"It is still a sin of Islam to earn interest on capital," said Weiner, who noted Roman Catholics also believed it was wrong before Adam Smith challenged the belief in his book "Wealth of Nations," written during the Protestant Reformation.

NIRI/N.Y. AND NYU TO OFFER IR COURSES

NIRI/New York will offer two in-depth, hands-on courses focusing on critical issues for investor relations professionals.

The courses will be offered through New York University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies/Marketing and Management Institute.

The announcement was made by Ilene Angarola, chair of professional development for NIRI/NY and VP of IR for Queens County Bancorp.

The husband-and-wife team of Ed Nebb and June Filingeri will lead the first course on an overview of the capital markets and the investment process.  

Nebb is principal of BSMG and Filingeri is president of COMM-Partners.  Both had previously worked at Morgen-Walke Assocs.

The second course on issues in corporate disclosure will be led by Mary Beth Kissane, an attorney, who is an SVP of Abernathy MacGregor Group.

Both courses will be held at NYU’s midtown location, 111 E. 33rd st,  Program cost is $550 for each course.  Registration information is available from Renee Harris at NYU, 212/790-3212.

PR FIRM EMPLOYEES DON’T MIND STRESS

People who work in PR firms neither expect nor desire a job with relatively little stress or tension, according to a survey of 1,256 agency employees.

The 1999 Thomas L. Harris/Impulse Research Employee Satisfaction Survey shows most employees see an ideal job as one which provides challenging tasks and a sense of accomplishment (97%), a good working relationship with their supervisor (95%) with sufficient time for personal and family life (93%).

Also important to most were receiving appreciation for the job they do (89%); an opportunity for promotion (87%); opportunities for training, an opportunity for high earnings and being rewarded for extraordinary work (all 86%).

BRIEFS ___________________________

Sorrell, who was one of 42 new knights, told a London newspaper he will receive a "horse, a shield and a sword."

The First Lady was beaten out by nine others as the "headliner women" for 1999 by Oprah Winfrey, Madeleine Albright, Tipper Gore and Judge Judy, to name a few.

Our advice is to toss the forms from the Council.

The Council, made up of 112 firms, has no business attempting to do any sort of ranking of PR firms, especially of firms that are not members.  It would be like the American Assn. of Advertising Agencies ranking ad agencies.  The 4As wouldn’t dream of doing it.  That job belongs to Advertising Age and Advertising Week, the legitimate publications in the field.

The Council, largely funded by PR units of the giant ad agencies, is not collecting any information about clients or PR staffers.  It allows agencies to have up to 49% of their income in paid advertising time and space, profits from video production, website building, etc.

Furthermore, it is no longer requiring CPA statements but is letting the CFOs of agencies attest to their own figures.  Supporting documents such as income tax returns and W-3 forms are not being collected.  This is a very superficial approach to ranking PR firms.

Last year the Council tried the same gambit (trying to get all sorts of non-PR income counted as PR) but almost all agencies stuck with the O’Dwyer rules.

We told the Council it should change its name to the "Council of Integrated Marketing Firms" since it is not promoting PR but the growth of its member firms by any and all means.

Porter Novelli, whose survey on customers of fast-food chains was cited in the lead article in the Jan. 12 Wall Street Journal, is referred to as a "marketing firm" in the story...the National Football League appears to be miffed by "Any Given Sunday," which portrays pro football at its most brutal (and also prone to moral lapses) and which grossed $60 million+ as of last week.  The NFL put out a memo to its teams saying it was not helping in the film.  Quarterback Dan Marino and coach Jimmy Johnson of the Miami Dolphins, who consulted on the movie, failed to show at the Miami premiere Dec. 20, reported New York magazine Jan. 17...Mark Willes, the former cereal company executive who took over as chairman of the Los Angeles Times in 1997, was excoriated in a 14-page article in the Times itself by reporter David Shaw.  Willes at one point said he would use a "bazooka" to blow up the wall separating the ad department from the newsroom.  Willes, who engineered the controversial supplement on a new sports arena (falsely labeling it "The Staples Center"), has retreated from his quest to integrate editorial and advertising, saying he "didn’t realize it was wrong."  New York Times Sunday magazine columnist Max Frankel took up the same topic Jan. 9, saying "many managers of media put stockholders ahead of readers or listeners," giving "priority to stock values and profit margins."  TV news shows "shamelessly" promote movies, sports and other products of their parent companies and magazines "routinely" promote the products of their advertisers and celebrities, he wrote.  "Advertorials" abound and companies publish promotions masquerading as magazines (custom publishing), he said.  Frankel says the uproar at the Times has produced some "vague new guidelines" but no "solid new wall"...our investment in Omnicom and Interpublic (we purchased $500 of each in mid-1997 to get the financials and attend the Omnicom annual meeting) was worth $3,730 as of Dec. 31, 1999...PRSA COO Ray Gaulke disputes our contention that the "Universal" accrediting program of PRSA and eight other PR groups is not available to "non-members."  The bylaws of PRSA, under "eligibility," mention members of groups in the UA (Universal Accreditation) program and "non-members who belong to member organizations of the North American PR Council."  It says nothing about PR pros who belong to no group.  Further, it says that non-members who pass the exam must pay an "annual maintenance fee...the same as annual member dues."  In other words, if a non-member passes the exam, he or she must pay $225 each year to keep the APR.  This is tantamount to forcing someone to join PRSA.  The lawyer who presented a 21-page paper to the American Society of Assn. Executives in December (1/5/00 NL) said certification should be offered by any group to non-members and that "higher prices" for the exam could be charged to the non-member.  He didn’t say anything about the test-taker being forced to pay the full annual dues rate of the organization.  Philip Wescott, who has succeeded Christine Gronkiewicz as APR chair, would not discuss the issue but referred us to Dorothy McGuinness of the PRSA staff.  She risks being fired for talking to us since the PRSA boycott against the O’Dwyer Co. is still in place.  McGuinness was called and said she would take up the topic with PRSA’s law firm.