Hotels.com books Hill+Knowlton as PR AOR in the U.S.
Hotels.com has selected Hill+Knowlton Strategies as its AOR in the U.S. amid a wider global PR agency review. As part of its remit, H+K is helping Hotels.com with PR around a campaign focused on its mascot, Captain Obvious, who has decided to "run" in the presidential race. Hotels.com started working with H+K last month.
What the media is saying about last night’s Democratic debate
WaPo: Clinton and Sanders pounce on Flint water crisis — and each other; NYT: Sanders pushes Clinton on trade and jobs; NBC: Clinton denies Sanders a win; Yahoo: Sanders and Clinton clash over guns; Forbes: Sanders burns mentally ill in attempted swipe at GOP candidates.
Hulk Hogan vs. Gawker: Civil trial begins
This morning, opening statements will begin in the civil trial between Gawker and Hogan. The pro wrestler is suing the news site for $100 million for posting a sex tape featuring him. The jury will determine if Gawker violated Hogan’s right to privacy by publishing the video.
Sen. Schumer calls for an end to robocalls
During a Sunday press conference, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he wants the FTC to pressure carriers to offer robocall-blocking technology. He added that he’d consider a law forcing them to do so. "The ‘Game of Phones’ with robocalls has gone on far too long," Schumer said at the presser.
The Peanuts gang gets tribute from Obama
Gary Groth, president and co-founder of Fantagraphics Books, told The New York Times how he got President Obama to write the forward for the 25th volume of The Complete Peanuts. Fantagraphics is an independent publisher that has no backers or investors.
MSLGroup buys Venus Communications in Vietnam
Venus, which has been an affiliate of MSLGroup for a decade, counts the likes of FedEx, MasterCard, Mead Johnson, Rolls-Royce, and Sanofi among its clients. The firm will now operate under the MSLGroup brand name.
Monday’s things to know: Reaction to death of former First Lady Nancy Reagan, remembering her "Just say no" years-long anti-drug crusade, and how media outlets pilloried her; Trump broke the rules of Fox News’ GOP debate last Thursday by consulting with his campaign manager during a commercial break; Head of search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 says it is 'very likely' the plane will be found by July.
