Public Relations

Rosemary Ravinal has joined Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) as Vice President of Entertainment and Consumer Public Relations. Ravinal will oversee publicity efforts for UCI’s portfolio of Spanish-language entertainment, broadcast and cable networks and serve as a primary point of contact with consumer media.

The use of labor-based fees and performance incentives by marketers is decreasing as advertisers look to simplify their agency compensation practices, according to a new report by the ANA (Association of National Advertisers).

The role of public relations is evolving. The ANA partnered with the USC Center for Public Relations at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism to understand current client-side marketer perceptions of public relations.  By Bill Duggan, Group EVP, ANA

No one can predict when disaster will strike—but knowing what to expect if it does will buy precious time.

Last week we saw quarterly results for various blue-chip companies. Pepsi, McDonald’s, Domino’s, Amazon, American Airlines, Chipotle, T-Mobile and even Twitter managed to delight shareholders with positive results, or at least results that were deemed a break from negativity in prior quarters (Twitter!).  Sadly (if you’re one of their shareholders), that was not the case for the Coca-Cola Company and Procter & Gamble. These two pillars of the S&P 500 were punished for less-than-stellar results.

Burson-Marsteller announced that Patricia S. Caballero (Patty) has joined the firm as Managing Director, U.S. Business Development.

Everywhere we turn lately, there seems to be a new corporate crisis in the headlines. Some of the largest, most visible and successful companies are being forced to publicly apologize — while feverishly attempting to convince their customers that these unfortunate incidents are only isolated blips — without any implication of systemic organizational issues.

A new survey of corporate communications, marketing and industry leaders reveals that 76% rely on word of mouth recommendations from their peers to find PR and other communications agencies. 

Global brands are improving their ability to brief for integrated communications but some familiar failings remain, according to a new survey from the WFA. The results indicate that while many advertisers have improved their briefing there is still work to do on lack of alignment, clarity and timing.

Marketers can’t help who they are. Where they were born, how they were raised, which schools they attended (or not), how far they have traveled — These and many more factors comprise their biographies. But sometimes, when biographies that are more similar than different are assembled in one room, something happens that can sink a campaign: Unconscious bias.  By Ozzie Godinez – CEO and Co-Founder at PACO Collective

In B2B PR, influence is about trust. To build and gain trust from industry experts, stakeholders, and subsequently potential customers there are a number of different marketing tactics you can use.

It doesn’t wear its heart on its sleeve, and the businesses involved are rarely household names.  So creativity is vitally important in B2B PR to generate awareness amongst press, says Sophie Naylor, Managing Director of Franklin Rae.

Making noise isn’t the same as making music! Acuity’s Ian McCawley explains the flaws of “vanity” PR.

By now you’ve heard about the floridly tone deaf Pepsi ad. You know, the almost three minute ad, what Pepsi called a mini movie, where, at the end of a multicultural protest – about something – the young model Kendall Jenner offers a Pepsi to a police officer among a line of riot officers. When he cracks open the Pepsi, all those multicultural millennials cheer and embrace. Because the sound of a Pepsi can opening apparently solves everything – racism, homophobia, gender inequality, maybe something else – and it even turns a self-absorbed model into a leader in the fight for… um… peace, hope, and beautiful models?  By David Morse, President and CEO of New American Dimensions

(add)ventures and Prism Group, Inc., a public relations and special events company, join in a strategic alliance to offer more competitive end-to-end solutions to corporations that market in Latin America (LATAM) and to the U.S. Hispanic population.

Burson-Marsteller announced that Pedro De Cordoba has joined Burson Latino, the firm’s specialty group that connects clients with the growing U.S. Latino marketplace, as a Senior Director.

Ketchum has expanded its audience insights offering with a new consumer group that the agency has identified and named GenZennial. This newly identified microgeneration bridges the Gen Z and millennial demographics.

Newlink named Pablo Miro as VP of US Market.

Republica received seven American Advertising Federation Miami ADDY Awards for its creative work for Segura Viudas Cava, Sedano’s Supermarkets and Amigos For Kids.

Havas Edge announced the addition of Nicole Cordero, Vice President US Hispanic Media. Cordero will provide leadership and insight to all agency departments with regard to Hispanic marketing.