CHARLOTTE, NC: NBC News Channel has reached an agreement with Medialink subsidiary Teletrax, a global digital-video monitoring and media-asset-management service, to expand its domestic coverage to the top 100 US TV markets for ongoing video-tracking services.
CHICAGO: Katie Meyer has joined Hyatt Hotels in the newly created position of VP of corporate communications. Meyer was previously VP of worldwide PR with Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts in London.
DENVER: Vanguard Communications has acquired Washington, DC-based Idea Flight, an advertising and marketing communications firm. Holly Davis, president and founder of Idea Flight, will join Vanguard and head up its new equine/western lifestyle group.
LOS ANGELES: Univision Communications, operator of the largest Spanish-language TV network in the US, has appointed former Laura Bush press secretary Noelia Rodriguez as VP of corporate communications. According to Citigate Sard Verbinnen, Univision's AOR, Rodriguez is the network's first-ever in-house PR hire.
MEXICO CITY: GCI Mexico has tapped Mich?le Foster as CEO and MD of the Mexican subsidiary of GCI Group. Foster has PR experience in four countries across the American continent. She will head up an office with clients from the technology, pharmaceutical, entertainment, food and beverage industries.
ATLANTA: The Georgia Department of Economic Development has reappointed MS&L as its PR agency of record after a competitive review.
PLEASANTON, CA: Melissa Plaisance has returned to Safeway as SVP of finance and IR, overseeing the company's treasury and IR divisions. Plaisance comes from Del Monte Foods, where she was SVP of finance and corporate communications. Before joining Del Monte in January 2004, Plaisance worked for Safeway in the same role she is returning to. At Del Monte, the company has promoted Melissa Murphy from director of PR to VP of corporate communications.
CAMBRIDGE, MA: Mathsoft Engineering & Education has named Beaupre & Co. its AOR. Mathsoft develops software, primarily used by engineers, to protect investments and intellectual capital. Beaupre will focus on media and analyst relations, writing support, speakers opportunities, and corporate and product messaging and positioning.
BOSTON: Greenough Communications has won three new clients: Chadwick Martin Bailey, Cognio, and Imprivata. The firm has also added two internet companies to its client roster - Register.com, which provides domain names, web hosting, and e-mail services; and Reunion. com, which allows people to find each other online. All five clients will be serviced out of the Boston office.
PORTLAND, OR: Maxwell PR has added Portland Energy Conservation and the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development as clients. Vicki Hastings has also joined the agency as a VP. Hastings previously worked at Cole & Weber/Red Cell.
WALTHAM, MA: The W2 Group, Larry Weber's new marketing venture, has launched a new company, ThirdScreen Media. The company provides mobile media- management services, helping companies execute mobile marketing campaigns.
PORTLAND, OR: Chris DiStefano has joined Leopold Ketel & Partners, overseeing the marketing firm's PR practice. DiStefano was previously public and media relations manager in the US office of Japanese component maker Shimano.
SAN FRANCISCO: The IABC has started a blog on its website featuring chairman David Kistle's thoughts on the association and the PR industry.
