News From Amtrak, Prosek Partners, CRC, Magrino, and Cohn & Wolfe

Amtrak Issues RFP From Crisis Communications Firms:

After the recent fatal train derailment, Amtrak announced they had recently issued a competitive RFP asking five crisis communications firms to submit proposals. Amtrak is looking for a partner to help with their five-year plan. It is possible that all five, or at least more than one of the agencies will work with the railroad company in various efforts. It is supposed that work will include staff training, communications support regarding emergencies focused on travel, and disaster planning. This process began well before the fatal crash near Tacoma, but unfortunately not soon enough to have full plans in place to help with this crisis. In the past, Amtrak has worked with other PR agencies including Edelman.

Two New Managing Directors at Prosek Partners:

Two leaders were promoted at Prosek Partners recently.  Both Josette Robinson and Hal Bienstock joined the firm as Managing Directors. Josette will Chair the Diversity and Inclusion Effort of the agency. She has been with the firm for 10+ years spending most of that time in the real estate investment area, but throughout she has been a champion of diversity and inclusion. Jennifer Prosek, Managing Partner, said that Josey’s “undying passion for people, community service and diversity and inclusion has been a leading force behind Prosek’s now formal programs.”

Bienstock has worked in the financial services sector of the company. But he has also been a main part of the Storytelling Workshops held by the agency to help executives with their company stories and content on social media. Prosek said that “Hal has proven to be an exceptional strategic communications counselor and deep subject matter expert. As the financial services sector continues to embrace technology, Hal has helped our clients and our staff effectively navigate this new world.”

Zeba Rashid Joins CRC:

Zeba Rashid just came to CRC as their VP and Director of Celebrity Influencer Management. The PR and digital marketing communications agency has been growing, and this is a logical next step for them. Rashid brings more than ten years efforts in PR, B2B marketing, VIP/artist relations, and influencer engagement. She’s worked in beauty, lifestyle, and hospitality mainly. Her previous jobs have been with 5W Public Relations, HL Group, and SUCCARRA Media Group.

Six New Clients For Magrino: 

Allyn Magrino, President of Magrino, reported that their agency has brought in six new clients recently, saying, “We are thrilled to be working with these terrific brands, all of which represent the best in class in their respective industries. We are looking forward to collaborating with these incredible entities to create impactful programs and introduce their brands to the U.S. marketplace.”

The six new clients are Conrad Dublin (located in Dublin and sports new guestrooms and other new facilities), Harborside (in Jersey City with luxury living, premier office spaces, as well as shopping and dining for the community on 4.3 million square feet on the waterfront), HEAVENSAKE (Franco-Japanese sake brand out of Japan), and Chateau Gaby, Chateau du Parc, and Chateau Moya (all three Chateau clients are owned by Tom Sullivan and are winemaking estates on the Right Bank Bordeaux). They are lifestyle clients in the areas of travel, real estate, food, wine, spirits, and consumer.

Cohn & Wolfe Helping Samsung with Launch of Air Purifiers:

Samsung’s Beijing office has brought in Cohn & Wolfe to help with the launch and sales of a high-end air purifier to be launched in the Autumn of 2018 in China. The plan is to target the Northeasters, Northern, and Eastern areas of China to build interest in the product. And the launch is set to take advantage of the timing since it is the peak sale time for this type of product.

A Samsung rep said that Cohn & Wolfe was chosen because of their “creativities and professionalism.” They won the RFP with other competitors including Ruder Finn, Shunya Group (incumbent for the last two years), and Burson-Marsteller.