mediabistro.com: PRNewser

The NewsMarket To Acquire Medialink

Media services vendor Medialink, known to most PR professionals for its work in broadcast and video PR, has been acquired by The NewsMarket. Both companies issued competing releases. The Newsmarket's lead with the headline, "The NewsMarket to Acquire Medialink," while Medialink's proclaimed, "Medialink Worldwide Announces Signing of Merger Agreement." Medialink told PRWeek earlier this year that it may "cease operations if it doesn't receive third-party investment or attract a buyer."

Romina Rosada, Global Head of Marketing for the NewsMarket told PRNewser, "The NewsMarket is indeed acquiring Medialink and we will own all the outstanding stock once the deal is approved by shareholders."

According to the NewsMarket release, "For the 12 month period ending March 31, 2009, Medialink recorded revenues of $17.95 million." The NewsMarket bought shares at $.20, which represented a 100% premium of the from the last trading price of Medialink's common stock on May 27, 2009. Ergo Medialink was last traded at $.10 per share.

D S Simon Productions President& CEO Doug Simon told PRNewser, "Medialink deserves credit for helping to make broadcast PR a necessary part of effective campaigns. It's a sad day for PR." PRWeek's Tonya Garcia has more.

Wednesday Jul 01, 2009

Jackson Family Hires Sunshine & Sachs, Issues Statement: No Viewing at Neverland

The Jackson family just hired New York-based PR firm Sunshine & Sachs to handle all duties regarding the death of Michael Jackson.

The firm known for its discretion and serious approach to celebrity representation is run by partners Ken Sunshine and Shawn Sachs. They just released the following statement:

Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland. Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly.

Effective today, the Jackson family has retained the services of Sunshine, Sachs & Associates to handle all public relations for the family regarding Michael Jackson.

Survey: 86% Feel Corporations Can Address Social Issues

Despite the flood of corporate scandals and mounting pressures of a recession which have both eroded trust in big business, an overwhelming percentage of consumers feel that for-profit businesses can address social issues according to the results of a poll released by Waggener Edstrom (WE) today. The 86% of consumers bumps a bit to 92% when the sample was only marketing and communications professionals.

The study was conducted with the help of polling shop RT Strategies as part of WE's formalization of WE Social Innovation as one of its six practice areas.

WE's SI practice is part of a move to council clients on the growing area of corporate social responsibility, or CSR. Along with social media, its a rare opportunity for revenue growth during the downturn. The study also found that 60 percent of consumers believe that businesses are in the best position to effect positive results on social issues, as opposed to governments (14 percent). Fifty-three percent were found more likely to purchase goods and services from companies that clearly demonstrated their commitments to social responsibility.

More insights can be found in WE's press release.