News in brief

PR Week UK, Friday, 23 April 2004, 12:00am,

CORPORATE PR: Ketchum global corporate director Chris Atkins has quit to join Ogilvy PR Worldwide as MD of its global corporate practice in New York. Atkins replaces Al Tortorella, who will become MD of global crisis management and relocate to southern California.

AGENCY APPOINTMENT: Colette Hill Associates has appointed former RAC head of corporate comms Adrian Linden to a board role. Linden is a former director at Wyatt Communications and was at the RAC from 1992 to 1997. His appointment coincides with an agency rebrand – the firm will become CHA next week.

SPORTS SPONSORSHIP: Hill & Knowlton has been appointed by consumer goods firm Gillette to promote its sponsorship of the 2004 Gillette Rugby League Tri-Nations. The tournament will take place in the UK in October and November. H&K has worked for Gillette since 1998.

CONSUMER PR: Create PR has launched a consumer media relations push for Universal Cycles. Create PR was set up four months ago; agency partner Greg Wixted formerly worked for UC on a project basis.

ENTERTAINMENT PR: Sitrick & Co has been hired by cast members of The Simpsons to promote their case during an ongoing dispute with Fox over salary levels and profit-sharing. Fox has declined to meet the cast’s demands and has suspended talks while cutting short production of the programme after production was delayed when actors refused to work.

CONSUMER PR: Snack-food firm Kettle Foods has hired Oregon-based Maxwell PR as its agency of record in the US. The agency reports to Kettle V-P of marketing Michelle Peterman and will use media relations and sampling activity.

OFFICE CLOSURE: Beattie Communications has closed its Aberdeen office. The agency plans to open offices in Manchester and Birmingham within three months and is on the hunt for senior staff.