PR Happenings from LaForce PR, Porter Novelli, and Hill+Knowlton Strategies
LaForce Cancels Holiday Party – Showing Their Pouty Face Over Trump
Pouty-faced models have been around for some time, but when a fashion industry PR firm decides to cancel their annual festivities because of Trump’s presidential win, some might think it un-festive. The firm’s leader James LaForce and his husband Stephen Henderson informed their previously invited guests in a letter that the party was off for the year.
In part, the letter said: “We envisioned an extra-cheerful celebration of Hillary Clinton’s presidency. Alas, Election Day did not go as we’d hoped. So it’s with deep regret that we are canceling this year’s party.” Promises were made of more parties in the future, but for now their themed party “Make America Merry Again” fell flat as it fell off the party radar. The money they would have spent on the party is to be donated to progressive groups such as Planned Parenthood and the Stonewall Foundation.
Porter Novelli Seattle Appoints a New Managing Director
Erin Osher has been promoted to managing director of Porter Novelli’s Seattle office. PN has also promoted Colleen Connors to an SVP position over North America talent. Osher has been based in New York and with the company for over 11 years, starting there as an account coordinator and moving up the ranks to EVP and interim managing director. Connors has been with PN for two years in the DC office and in Canada working with talent engagement. In her new position she’ll expand those efforts to include all PN offices in North America.
Jennifer Swint, PN’s North America president, said: “Erin and Colleen’s new responsibilities will help us capitalize on their deep knowledge and relationships within our agency, while also allowing both a greater ability to tap into their individual leadership strengths.”
Hill+Knowlton Strategies Signs Global Corp Comms AOR with Procter & Gamble
P&G added H+K as their first global corporate communications PR agency after a two-month RFP process. The contract period begins with the first of the year. H+K will focus on the U.S. and global enterprise including internal communications, crisis management, message and content development, issue prevention, and corporate media relations.
Most of the work will be handled by H+K’s U.S. staff working with P&G’s people in their Cincinnati headquarters. P&G’s other PR firms include Citizen Relations, DeVries Global, MMK+, and MSLGroup. Together the firms work on their various global divisions including baby, family, home, hair, oral, feminine, fabric, skin, grooming, and personal healthcare. Alison Eyles-Owen oversees the work globally as EVP of marketing and communications and Beth Balsam leads all efforts in the U.S.
