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.
