News from Weber Shandwick, Regan Communications, PRSA-NY, APCO, F/W/V, and Porter Novelli
Weber Shandwick reps Medtronic in bid for funding from New Zealand’s Pharmac
Weber Shandwick created a PR campaign for Medtronic using people who have suffered from pulmonary embolisms after hospital stays to promote devices and aids used to reduce the risk to patients after surgery. One problem, WS and Medtronic didn’t mention to the sufferers that they were trying to seal the deal selling their devices to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) with Pharmac.
At least one patient was initially approached by a nurse to see if she would be interested in talking with the WS, but WS didn’t disclose any details of the campaign. Kevin Hague, spokesman for the Green Party, said they had an obligation to report the truth and that creating a heated environment to force quick decisions was inappropriate. He stated, “The press release is certainly in a scaremongering style. I think very few people are killed by these blood clots.”
WS said the campaign was “part of a long-term commitment to increase conversations about this potentially fatal condition.” They also said that “Medtronic’s decision to submit a proposal to Pharmac for the supply of medical devices used in the prevention of VTE is not related to this commitment. The terms of the proposal are considered commercial in confidence.”
Next Installment in George Regan v. Suffolk University
Earlier in the year, Regan Communications’ PR services were terminated by a new University President, Margaret McKenna after Regan serving in the position for many years. McKenna felt the expense of an outside PR firm was too much canceled the long-time contract. That decision did not set with many board members who also had been in place for several years, nor with George Regan, founder and CEO of Regan Communications.
It seems that Regan has since made accusations against McKenna for excessive spending and other problems. The Board reviewed these charges and found many emails between McKenna and a New England Association of Schools and Colleges official. There were many derogatory statements in these emails regarding Suffolk’s board not backing her reform measures. The Board of Trustees felt these emails jeopardized Suffolk University’s accreditation and decided to fire her. McKenna plans to fight the action, saying the initial statements by Regan in his complaint, were not true and there was nothing in their reports backing those statements.
PRSA-NY Names 15 under 35 in Awards Ceremony
The PRSA-NY recently held a luncheon to honor the 15 chosen from among the PR, marketing, and communications industries. They are: Cessie Cerrato, Director, Public Relations, Palace Resorts; Christa Conte, Vice President, Hotwire PR; Katie Creaser, Vice President, Affect; Adam Davis, Vice President, Corporate Communications, IMAX Corporation; Tori Fernandes, Director, Global Media Relations & Issues Management, Nielsen; Ariana Finlayson, Senior Digital Engagement Strategist, MMC; Rida Bint Fozi, Senior Account Supervisor, The TASC Group; Bettina Garibaldi, Vice President/Director, Ketchum Inc.; Kellie Jelencovich, Senior Account Executive, MSLGroup; Soogyung Cho Jordan, Global Head of Communications, S&P Dow Jones Indices; Lauren Clifford Knudsen, Senior Vice President, J Public Relations; Joanna Leis, Senior Account Executive, Finn Partners; John Puskar, Vice President, Public Relations and ABC Campaign, Frontier Communications; Justin Saia, Senior Director, Strategic Communications, Transactions, Crisis & Restructuring, FTI Consulting; and Shawna Gallagher Vega, APR, Director of Communications, Xavier High School.
Jesuit Refugee Services and APCO Worldwide sponsoring Fall Lampedusa Concert Tour
This fall there will be a series of “intimate” and acoustic concerts featuring such musical guest as Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Steve Earle, The Milk Carton Kids, Buddy Miller, and others. So far, four dates have been scheduled in early October, but more will be added. The concerts raise funds to help displaced people living in camps and urban settings in at least 45 countries. Their efforts focus on helping those in the camps heal, learn, and thrive through educational opportunities.
After having visited some of the camps in Ethiopia, Emmylou Harris said, “I believe that education is the key to everything. These minds need to be challenged and developed, and they are a huge resource for the countries that they are in now or wherever they may end up. But we have to give them the tools to develop their hearts and their minds and their souls, to use the abilities that they have that are still intact.”
“Little” Washington, NC hires F/W/V to boost tourism
According to David Gwyn, French/West/Vaughan’s President, “The charm of Little Washington is obvious from the minute you get there, and it is truly one of the places that makes eastern North Carolina so special. Our goal is to tell the story about what a great place this town is to visit for young couples to empty nesters and everyone in between.”
So it’s a good thing The Washington Tourism Development Authority (WTDA) recently announced they’ve asked F/W/V to assist them in bringing the various charms of the area to the forefront for those looking for the idyllic vacation spot. F/W/V will be creating strategies and narratives to tell Little Washington’s stories and getting that word out to even more people who have not heard about it before.
Porter Novelli brings in new people to their Health and Wellness Leadership
PN has added eight new leaders in their health and wellness practice. Some of these positions include Maura Bergen as the Exec VP for U.S. pharma – working from the New York office, Brian Thompson as a Sr. VP in New York, and Shelly Spőeth in the Atlanta office as their Sr. VP and practice leader for health and social impact.
