PR Opps

I’ve been rather radio silent of late, given Summer vacation — and the demands of running your own operation.  I’ve never been busier in my life.  But I’ve got to stay current with my posts, so there will be activity over the coming days.  In the meantime, here’s a quick update on two positions that are open:

• Toy Industry Association — VP of Government Affairs, D.C.-based.  Contact Stephanie Chaconas, 202-654-7852, schaconas@russellreynolds.com.
• T-Mobile — Corp. Communications Director.  Contact Scott Ziluck, 305-937-4417, scottzil@aol.com.

John McCain and Jed Clampett

I hate to be a Tom Friedman copycat, but in trying to grasp the issues around the current Presidential campaign and the future macroeconomic environment, I need to go back to the classic ’60s TV series, “The Beverly Hillbillies” for guidance.  I can still hear the show’s intro, lyrics and music: “…and then one day he was shooting for some food, and up through the ground came some bubbling crude.  Oil that is.  Texas tea. ” 

Although I’m in danger of crossing the line to pure jingoism, we, indeed, really have become beholden to a cavalcade of “Jed Clampetts” in the Middle East and elsewhere.  In reality, I fully understand the need for more hydrocarbon-based fuels – particularly oil — to fuel our economies.  But I was struck by the juxtaposition of Obama and McCain last week.  One (Obama) was hosting a summit of top economic thinkers to debate the wealth of issues we face socially and economically.  Meanwhile, the other (McCain) was hosting a press conference in front of a Texas oil derrick, technology that’s been around literally for a century.  McCain, of course, was pushing for more offshore drilling and opening up new parts of Alaska to oil exploration. 

By no means am I a naturalist, nature lover, tree hugger, et al.  Candidly, oil-slicked birds never have had an emotional impact on me.  But nature’s not the biggest issue here.  I simply don’t understand a need to focus on exploiting a fuel that’s been our economic foundation for the past 100 years.  It’s simply going to foster reliance on a fuel that’s nearing the end of its economic usefulness and environmental compatibility (more emissions). 

When we were on the cusp of the automobile era, some fought that inevitability with a push to get more horse-and-buggies on the road.  And to quote Friedman, when the computer era was dawning, an alternative solution wasn’t add’l investment in electric typewriters or basic word processors. 

I fully realize we all feel a bit better in developing “our own” natural resources.  But, based on Columbia B School studies I’ve read, opening up the U.S. continental shelf and other parts of the U.S. to more oil drilling isn’t going to put a dent in our quest for a long-term solution.   Let gas prices go where the market takes them.  Already, the trend is having an impact on our driving habits, accelerating commercialization efforts for alternatives, and generating new ideas on conservation (e.g., building codes on energy consumption, four-day work weeks). 

McCain in front of an oil derrick only reminds me of a scene in “There will be Blood,” which chronicled the start of the oil era at the turn of the century.  Is a solution really a proliferation of more U.S.-based derricks?  I’d prefer to focus on efforts to wean ourselves and future generations off the stuff — and kick the increasingly autocratic “Jed Clampetts” in overseas hot spots back to the woods.

A Surfeit of Exotic English Use

This likely shows my ignorance of the English language, but I learned two new words today via a read of page 1 of “Business Day” in today’s New York Times (7/30/08).  The copy editor and reporters use the words brilliantly.  In a piece on Lone Star Funds’ purchase of Merrill Lynch mortgage-based investments (at a bargain basement price), Jenny Anderson, a great young reporter formerly of the New York Post, describes John Grayken (the aggressive, well-known head of Lone Star) as swooping in to buy “the detritus of today’s mortgage crisis.”  On a plane this morning to Atlanta, I circled the word as a reminder to look it up later.  In doing so, I eventually learned that the term is typically used in biology and is defined as non-living particulate organic material (also as bodies of dead organisms or fragments of organic or fecal matter, normally colonized by communities of microorganisms that decompose the material).  In ecosystems on land, according to Wikipedia, “detritus is deposited on the surface of the ground, taking forms such as the humic soil beneath a layer of fallen leaves.”  In other words, it’s the stuff left behind by decomposition — quite apropos in describing what Lone Star bought after Merrill “cleansed” its balance sheet.

The other advanced word (at least in my book) was surfeit, used in Michael Grynbaum’s story on the closing of multiple restaurant chains, including Bennigan’s, due to a dramatic decline in consumers’ dining out.  “Soaring food costs and a surfeitof locations” cut the chains’ profits just as consumers were beginning to increasingly prepare meals at home, according to Grynbaum.  Essentially, the word means overabundance or excess — which, again, seems to be a perfect description of how I perceive Bennigan’s, Steak & Ale, TGIF Friday’s and other places of similar fare and ilk.  They’re simply all over the place and virtually indistinguishable.

New Opp

And another career opp….Re: my prior post, I believe CSC position has been filled.  Hope these are helpful…

SVP, Corporate Communications

Regions Financial Corp. 

Birmingham, Ala.

Reports to CMO

Regions Financial (NYSE: RF), with some$140 billion in assets, is one of the largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, trust, securities brokerage, mortgages, and insurance products and services. 

Contact: James Norton, 404-995-4705, jnorton@fiderion.com, or Hilary Hansen, 404-995-4710, hhansen@fiderion.com.

Career Opps/The Grapevine

I’ve come across a few career opps of late.  Please feel free to use my name as the referral if you know of folks or decide to follow up.  Sean Healy, Healy Corporate Communications 

AVP, Business Communications
ARAMARK; Philadelphia
Leads team that provides communications counsel and support to ARAMARK’s business units; develops communications strategies for LOBs. Responsible for the public reputation and market perception of business units. Seeking candidate with 12-15 years of corporate communications and/or journalism experience, especially trade or local media. Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or PR is required. Master’s degree preferred. Contact Ron Iori, 215-238-3848, iori-ronald@aramark.com.

Global Marketing Director; Precor; Seattle

Precor is a designer and manufacturer of high-end exercise equipment, for both home and out-of home environments. The opportunity reports to VP, Marketing & Product. Looking for candidates with experience in CPG, B2B, retail, et al. Contact Philip Archer, 512-407-9787, phil@wiserpartners.com

Corporate Communications Lead; Liquidnet; New York City

Looking for professional to lead the global communications function for Liquidnet. This highly visible position is the primary driver behind the company’s public relations, internal and external communications, messaging, reputation management and corporate advertising strategy. The Corporate Communication lead will leverage his/her knowledge of the industry, the communications discipline and strategic planning skills to assure that Liquidnet is effectively positioned. This individual will report directly to the global head of marketing and communications, and work closely with the company’s senior leadership. Contact Gary Platt, 212-465-8300, x201, gary@srisearch.com.

Senior Director, Corporate PR; Medtronic; Minneapolis

Reports to VP, Coporate Communications. Contact David Walden, 202-955-4367, david.walden@kornferry.com.

Marketing Communications Specialist; Transurban Corp.; New York City

Looking for someone with Corp or Ad firm experience. Contact Ben Long, 202-463-6342, benlong@travaille.com.

Corp Communications Chief; Computer Sciences Corp.; Falls Church, Va.

Reporting to the CMO and working closely with the CEO and other senior management, the Head of Corporate Communications will play a critical role in developing and executing global
communication programs to protect, manage and strengthen CSC’s corporate
reputation and brand among key stakeholders. The function includes all media relations, company executive messaging, crisis communications, issues management, internal communications and web communications. Contact Jeanne Hulse, CSC, 607-547-9236, jhulse@csc.com.

Director, Corp Comms.; T-Mobile

Contact Scott Ziluck, 305 937-4417, Scottzil@aol.com

SVP, Communications; Phorm; New York City

Contact Jennifer Decastro, (212) 984-9376, jennifer.decastro@kornferry.com

Sick CEO?

Apple’s PR stance on the health status of its iconic CEO, Steve Jobs, is bizarre.  I can’t fathom that if, indeed, anything is seriously wrong with Jobs, it wouldn’t be a matter of required public disclosure (i.e., material information).  To say his health is a private matter misses the point.  Obviously, his future ability to manage and lead the company is directly linked to Apple’s valuation, no?

GM Stuck in Reverse

I know I’m being a bit naive here, but it’s shocking to me that the major American car companies continue to be quoted in the media as being surprised by the sudden downturn in sales, particularly of SUVs and trucks.  This has been coming for years, as outlined in a great piece by Jad Mouawad and Nelson Schwartz of the New York Times (American Energy Policy, Asleep at the Spigot; 7/6/08), and finally has hit a tipping point with the cresting of $4/gallon.  Today’s Times includes a story on GM’s initiatives to build its liquidity position by cutting costs and selling assets, including the elimination of medical benefits for most white collar retirees.  The juxtaposition of a 74-year-old retiree fighting cancer (on a prescription drug costing $2,700/mo.) and a tough quote from Bob Lutz, the well-known GM vice chairman, is startling.  The retiree, William Parker, will lose coverage for his medicine, as part of GM’s moves.  Later in the story, tough-talking Lutz, now 76, in commenting on GM’s prospects, admonishes securities analysts who have been warning of a potential GM bankruptcy: “At some point, these analysts should learn that car companies don’t die that fast.”  Obviously, his quote is not related to the plight of Parker.  But you’ve got to question the forward-thinking and visionary tendencies of GM, whose chief product officer is 76 and long entrenched in Detroit’s insular ways.  I guess it’s because he chomps cigars and is a former Marine pilot.  Guess that makes him qualified to lead GM into the next-generation marketplace.

Crazy Like a Fox

The synergy of Fox and The Wall Street Journal was in full view on the national stage last night during the 2008 All-Star Game on the Fox TV Network.  Tim McCarver, the long-time baseball analyst and former major league catcher, provided a good three minutes of commentary to a recent Wall Street Journal piece on the rise of great young pitchers from the Dominican Republic.  The July 11 story, by James Wagner, is a look at the young arms coming out of the Dominican, including Edinson Volquez, now an All-Star starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.  Wagner also went into some detail on the emergence of the change-up as the ”preferred” so-called out pitch of young pitchers in that country.  McCarver cited the Journal (“of all places”) as the source of the examination of the trend.  Indeed, Wagner’s story is fascinating and a great read (particularly for sports fans).  I’m now wondering if McCarver knew he was extolling the virtues of a sister company!  Masterful, indeed.  By the way, Volquez went on to give up a two-run bomb to my man, JD Drew of the Boston Red Sox.  As an aside, Josh Groban’s rendition of “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch was incredible, in my humble opinion.  Check it out if you get a chance…

Zingoz and the Chicken

The recession, if we are in one, must be nearing an end.  I just picked up the Zingoz and the chicken iterations of the fast-selling Webkinz plush toys for my two daughters, 7 and 9.  The new versions are in great demand — and prices remain fairly high at about $17 each.  There were literally hundreds of other models to choose from.  I’m not sure that means inventory is high due to slow sales or that the store wanted to ensure all selections were in stock.   I think it’s the latter given the numbers of kids with them in tow….yet another scientific proof point in my ongoing commentary on the economy. 

Russert Ruckus

The death of Tim Russert was a tragedy, no doubt. For someone, anyone, to die at such a young age, 58, is horrible. This might not be a popular opinion, but I’m not quite sure this warranted “breaking news” coverage.  I’m sure he was a great guy, and I’ll miss his work on “Meet the Press.” He was personable, it seemed, on air, and he exuded an everyman’s persona (for me, particularly, through his love of the Buffalo Bills). I guess I’m just not sure the death of an NBC Washington bureau chief warrants breaking news. Regardless, the Russert death is sad, given he was a person who seemed to be a great father, industry colleague, friend and broadcast news pro.