SAN FRANCISCO: Text 100 has hired Peter Graumann as a senior account director in its San Fran office. In the new post, Graumann will lead an account team as well as provide media training to clients such as Ask Jeeves and Harbinger. Most recently a VP at The Jona Group, Graumann spent the bulk of his career as a TV producer and news reporter for such shows as The MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour.
OLYMPIA, WA: Industry legend Farley Manning, one of the founding fathers of Manning Selvage & Lee, died last Monday at the age of 90. Manning, who founded Farley Manning Associates in 1954 before merging his company with Selvage & Lee in 1972, is survived by his wife, Jean, and a daughter, Toni-Ruth.
NEW YORK: Makovsky & Company has hired Donna Ramer to serve as managing director of its health sciences division. Previously an EVP at Rowland Communications, Ramer will supervise all account activities, direct new-business outreach and manage the department's fiscal and human resources. Makovsky's health sciences division includes Rx, over-the-counter and nutraceutical practices.
NEW YORK: Ketchum senior partner and CEO Dave Drobis has turned his CEO title over to senior partner and president Ray Kotcher. While Drobis will continue in a leadership role at the agency, he will reportedly increase his involvement with the Council of Public Relations Firms.
STAMFORD, CT: The XFL, an upstart pro football league jointly owned and operated by World Wrestling Federation Entertainment and NBC, has hired Steve Griffith as VP of corporate communications. Griffith joins from sports and entertainment marketing firm RHB Ventures, where he directed communications for the company's Champions senior tennis tour. The XFL's inaugural season is slated to begin on February 3, 2001.
NEW YORK: Burson-Marsteller has promoted NY healthcare chief Ame Wadler to chairman of its US healthcare practice. The move frees Ken Rabin, who had been helming both US and worldwide healthcare operations, to concentrate on his global responsibilities. Burson has also added DC veterans Ken Vest and Brian Lott as directors in its Washington office.
NEW YORK: GCI Group has lured Lori Kafafian away from Ketchum to serve as EVP and worldwide managing director of human resources. 'The agencies that win are the ones who will be able to find and keep great people,' said GCI prexy Bob Feldman, who formerly worked with Kafafian at Ketchum.
NEW YORK: The Hearst Corporation has added two staffers to its communications department. Director of events marketing David Bowen arrives from the Susan Magrino Agency, while director of PR Liz Fischer joins from the PR department at NBC's New York affiliate.
RICHMOND, VA: Reynolds Metals Company's director of government relations, Stevenson Walker, is retiring this month following the completion of the company's merger with Alcoa. Walker will continue to be involved with legislative and civic affairs in Virginia.
LOS ANGELES: Holtz Communication + Technology principal Shel Holtz will be the featured speaker at IABC/LA's June 14 meeting. For more information, visit www.iabcla.com or call (888) 848-2934.
