Martinez is made GM of GCI-Chicago

CHICAGO: Veteran Chicago PR man Jim Martinez has become the new GM

of GCI Dragonette, GCI's Chicago office.

Martinez joined the firm this February as associate GM with the

understanding he would succeed Rita Hoey, a founder of Dragonette, as

general manager.

GCI bought Dragonette in late 1999. The Dragonette name will be phased

out early next year, said Bob Pearson, president of GCI Americas.

Dragonette had been known for its work in the healthcare and shelter

industries. Martinez has begun expanding the office into corporate PR,

marketing PR, and branding work, as well as hi-tech PR.

"We'll continue to focus on building as diverse an offer here in Chicago

as we can," Martinez said.

Revenues for the office this year will be at or slightly below last

year's $5.2 million.

Martinez had worked on corporate communications and hi-tech at Hill &

Knowlton's Chicago office before moving to Kemper-Lesnick Communications

as president of its PR operation. That company ran into trouble when

tech clients stopped paying their bills. Martinez left Kemper in late

2000.

Earlier this year, the office hired Lee Bush from rival Ogilvy PR to set

up a marketing and branding practice.