12 Dec 1997
| by JEMIMAH BAILEY
The world s number one life science company, Novartis, has hired
two agencies to handle its group public relations and public affairs
accounts in the UK for the first time, following a competitive
pitch.
12 Dec 1997
Defending a hostile bid is intricate, painstaking work for PR firms
representing their clients. Defences can go on for weeks on end, with
plans jealously guarded to keep the opposition guessing ... usually,
that is.
05 Dec 1997
| by JULIETTE GARSIDE
Following the withdrawal of Glaxo Wellcome s newest diabetes drug
Romozin (troglitazone), the PR campaign being run by Manning Selvage and
Lee has been suspended. Glaxo withdrew the drug after an increase in
liver problems was identified among users. Around 5,000 people in the UK
have been prescribed...
21 Nov 1997
Alka Seltzer to Agfa firm Bayer has brought in Yorkshire Water s
head of public affairs Steven Painter as its new head of
communications.
21 Nov 1997
| by KATE NICHOLAS
Star ratings headed for the stratosphere in this year s Agency
Report.
07 Nov 1997
| by JEMIMAH BAILEY
UK-based bioscience communications consultancies Hayhurst Conington
Cripps (HCC) and De Facto Consultants, which handled PR for Dolly the
cloned sheep, have merged. The new company, HCC.De Facto Group, has a
combined turnover in excess of pounds 6 million and employs 50 staff.
07 Nov 1997
| by JEMIMAH BAILEY
Consolidated Communications is to create its first OTC healthcare
team in January 1998. The team will be headed by director Helen Triggs,
who joins from Cameron Choat and Partners where she was board director.
31 Oct 1997
| by IAN DARBY
Monsanto, the US life sciences company at the centre of recent
controversy over genetically modified foods, has appointed Ann Foster as
director of government and public affairs in the UK.
31 Oct 1997
| by JEMIMAH BAILEY
The Chemical Industries Association (CIA) has appointed John
Gardner as head of its political office. Gardner left public affairs
agency GPC Market Access, where he was director of corporate affairs,
last July (PR Week, 25 July). Gardner will report to CIA s head of
public affairs Jenny Jones.
31 Oct 1997
| by JEMIMAH BAILEY
The Boots Company has appointed its first head of group
communications, a new post which combines internal communications with a
review of the communications structures of the Boots businesses.