Over the last few weeks, we’ve posted several stories about Apple‘s newer, more aggressive PR strategy in the post-Jobs era. Not only is the tech giant focused on pushing its own products; it’s also giving its executives more leeway to take shots at rivals like Samsung as they see fit.

Jean-Louise Gassée worked for Apple throughout the 80′s as the head of its French division and later directed Macintosh product development before leaving due to strategic differences with other executives. On Sunday he posted an op-ed on the Monday Notes tech blog with the ominous headline “Apple Is Losing the War–of Words“. Gassée‘s conclusion will surprise many in the tech world, because he thinks the Apple PR team should take a few cues from Microsoft and hire an outside firm better versed in the art of “verbal warfare.”

Wait, what? Let’s explore this a little further, shall we?

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Get ready, nerds: the 2013 South by Southwest Interactive Festival is almost upon us. While we loved Razorfish‘s “tweeting bikes” stunt, we’re also big fans of a new project from Waggener Edstrom, Little Bird and Tater Tot Designs.

This web app, called “Hey Big Fish“, is all about helping attendees make sense of all the techie mayhem and the onslaught of mostly irrelevant tweets. With the fish you can identify the biggest influencers at the event and figure out where you need to be–and who you need to know–at any given time. If you’re an egotist (and who isn’t?) then you can also track your own influence.

Not only can users find the top names, hottest discussion topics/hashtags and most popular individual tweets–they can also locate the conversations, both real and virtual, that are most relevant to them while making social connections for future events. For example, if we hadn’t checked Hey Big Fish, would we know that Dale Dougherty of Maker Media is currently the man to seek out if you’re interested in 3D printing? And would we know that our own Twitter feed ranks a sad 34,665 out of 111,635 on the influence scale? No we would not!

So will any of you PR pros be at SXSWi? And will you take this trusty app along?

Olympic-Sized Deal:

M&C Saatchi PR has been named the first-ever agency of record for the United States Olympic Committee.

The firm’s team, led by Sandra Carreon-John, SVP, will manage several major events leading up to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi including the 2014 media summit and the 100 days out celebration. M&C Saatchi PR will lead a campaign that highlights the organization’s vast fundraising efforts with a focus on increasing awareness and understanding of the importance of funding to a successful Team USA (which receives no money from the federal government).

Because unfiltered expressions of virgin new potatoes are hot right now:

Karlsson’s Vodka, the world’s only producer of spirits made from single-distilled and unfiltered expressions of virgin new potatoes, selected multi-service communications agency Waggener Edstrom Worldwide (WE) to promote the Swedish company’s vodka to the North American beverage industry. Karlsson’s Vodka selected WE for its ability to leverage social, digital marketing, creative and communications talent to deliver an integrated campaign for master blender Börje Karlsson’s creations.

“The addition of Karlsson’s Vodka to our client roster is further evidence that companies are looking for a holistic approach to their marketing efforts,” said Annemiek Hamelinck, senior vice president, Brand Strategy & Marketing at WE. “While media relations remain our stock in trade at WE, we have successfully integrated disciplines that lend themselves well to successful campaigns for clients like Karlsson’s.”

And the AOR Golden Globe goes to:

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Allison+Partners announced that David Wolf has been named managing director of the agency’s global China practice. Wolf counsels American, Chinese and European clients across a range of industries and specializes in managing complex communications challenges, including crisis comm, new market entry and corporate reorganization. He also helps clients consider elements beyond branding and messaging to rethink strategies, positioning and execution. Prior to joining Allison+Partners, Wolf spent seven years as president and chief executive officer of Wolf Group Asia (WGA), a Beijing-based strategic corporate communications advisory firm. (Release)

RF|Binder, a New York-based PR and communications firm, announced two new senior-level hires. Elyse Blazey Gentile joins the agency as senior managing director to consumer and corporate accounts and Lori Rodney joins as managing director of the agency’s education group. Both managers will be responsible for developing new business opportunities as well as counseling existing clients. Blazey Gentile has more than 15 years experience in media relations and corporate/crisis communications. Her most recent role was vice president of corporate communications at E*TRADE.

Rodney most recently served as corporate account manager at Waggener Edstrom, representing clients such as Android and Windows Phone manufacturer HTC. She has more than a decade of experience working for such top firms as Edelman, MWW Group and Cohn & Wolf. (IBTimes)

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Like the rest of you, we’ve received quite a few holiday-themed e-cards from various firms and individuals over the past two weeks. We’d like to highlight a few that stood out (listed in no particular order, because you know we don’t play favorites):

Oh, and apologies to everyone we left out—our number one New Year’s resolution is “re-organize your inbox!!!”

• Wolff Olins’s nicely animated New Year’s resolutions card
• CRT/Tanaka’s “Inspired by You” video, which uses human silhouettes to spell themes
• APCO Worldwide’s clip featuring “Thank You” messages from around the world
• Jack Morton’s “What I’m Looking Forward to in 2013” Pinterest page featuring original art inspired by optimistic New Year’s suggestions
• Cision PR’s “Cringe Worthy Moments” reviewing some of the year’s PR fails
• TriplePoint’s musical, hip and awkward “Happy Holidays”
• Here’s an interesting one that’s more of a year-in-review: Waggener Edstrom’s “Go Native” city guide celebrating another year of “favorite local experiences” in cities around the world.
• We also want to take a brief moment to recognize Havas PR’s “12 Days of Havas” giving initiative, created in coordination with #GivingTuesday.

In 2013 IndoPacific Edelman will celebrate 20 years of strategic communications in Indonesia with a new name and a new vision. Effective February 1st 2013, the firm will rebrand as Edelman Indonesia. As IndoPacific Edelman prepares to rebrand as Edelman Indonesia, the firm has released a video about its heritage in Indonesia. (Release)

Integrated communications agency Waggener Edstrom Worldwide (WE) announced today that SVP Matthew Lackie will lead the agency’s efforts in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, replacing EVP David Ko. Formerly the deputy lead of APAC, Matthew has steadily increased his responsibilities under David’s guidance, quadrupling the size of WE’s Singapore business, establishing and then expanding its presence in India (including offices in Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai), nurturing and growing regional staff, managing key regional and global clients and strengthening the agency’s digital capabilities. (Release)

Hill+Knowlton Strategies announced that Antonio Tamayo has been named president and CEO of its Latin America region, effective immediately. Tamayo, who has served as President of H+K Mexico for 17 years, will report to H+K global chairman Jack Martin. He assumes the role previously held by Dr. Luis de la Calle, a distinguished former official in the highest levels of the Mexican government, who will now serve as senior advisor for H+K Latin America. (Release)

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Lauren Skowronski has been named Vice President, Media Relations for MSNBC. In this role, Skowronski will manage internal and external communications for the network, including program publicity and the overall media strategy. She will serve as the chief spokesperson for the network.

Cybex International, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYBI) has announced that Kenneth Kuperstein has been hired as Cybex’s director of marketing, planning and development. Mr. Kuperstein brings more than 20 years of experience in the advertising and marketing industries to the Company, having managed some of the world’s most recognizable brands.

New York-based PR firm Hawkins International announces a pair of noteworthy personnel changes. Corey Finjer, a veteran at Hawkins International (HIPR) has been promoted to Vice President, while Keri Prestia, an experienced PR professional with high-profile and luxury brand experience, recently joined the firm as a Vice President. Both Finjer and Prestia will oversee client management, strategic media relations campaigns and new business development. These two announcements come at the pinnacle of HIPR as the agency celebrates its 10^th anniversary and has added ten new accounts to its portfolio since January 2012.

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Media coverage of the London Summer Olympics has hit hyper-drive and they don’t even start for another two weeks.

Waggener Edstrom looked at a variety of English-language media outlets to determine where one could turn to for all of the action. Click here for info about their evaluation. And after the jump, an infographic.

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Bethany Sherman, SVP and chief comms officer at Dow Jones, is among the executives leaving the company. A new chief comms officer will be announced soon. The string of executive changes at the company goes all the way to the top. Dow Jones president Todd Larsen, a 13-year Dow Jones vet, has resigned. Alisa Bowen and Joe Lanza have been promoted to head of products and head of the data strategy unit, respectively. [via, via]

Catherine Allen has been promoted to SVP at SHIFT Communications, the first time that position has been filled at the firm. Allen has been with SHIFT since its founding in 2003.

Jennifer Houston, president of Waggener Edstrom‘s WE Studio D group focused on digital and social media work, is leaving the firm. She announced her departure on Twitter this week. Scott McLaughlin, VP of corporate communications for the firm told PRNewser in a statement that Jenny Moede, North American EVP for the firm will assume that role.

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Brunswick Group has two new senior execs. Robert Moran joins as a partner in the Washington D.C. office building the firm’s research and insights group here in the Americas. He’ll be working with Graeme Trayner and Phil Riggins, partners in London. Moran was previously the president of U.S. operations at Edelman’s StrategyOne research group. Brunswick has also added Samantha Lewis as a partner in the New York office. She was previously the chair of the U.S. brand marketing practice at Burson-Marsteller and the interim CEO of PivotRed, B-M’s brand and reputation consultancy.

GolinHarris has added three members to its digital staff. Brian Snyder (left) joins as a digital director based in Chicago. He comes to GH from Whirlpool where he was head of direct sales and e-commerce in the consumer packaged goods area. Ian Campbell joins GH’s connector community as executive director based in NYC. He was previously the director of creative at the National Football League. And Mark Bonham joins as a member of the strategist community in San Francisco. He was previously the MD of InterneXperts, a Web marketing company.

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