PRWeek US News

NEW YORK: Kekst and Company has named partner Larry Rand president and CEO, effective September 1, with founder and current CEO Gershon Kekst transitioning into a newly created executive chairman role.

SEATTLE: Revolution PR has been named AOR for bedding specialist Sleep Train.

LONDON: An increasing number of US e-commerce companies are likely to review their PR set-ups in the coming months, according to a study by new-business research firm Pearlfinders.

RAMSEY, NJ: Konica Minolta Business Solutions, which provides imaging and networking technologies, hired Mark Pollack as VP of marketing communications and program development.

DALLAS: M Strategies selected The SoupMobile as the 2010 recipient of its annual pro-bono PR services.

SEATTLE: 360 PR launched a campaign to promote "Allrecipes.com What's Cooking", a web series that takes viewers into the kitchens of home cooks across the US.

NEW YORK: For the second year running, MS&L New York is offering up to $100,000 in pro-bono professional services to a local non-profit in need of social media expertise.

WASHINGTON: SKDKnickerbocker tapped Hilary Rosen as an MD in the firm's public affairs and communications practice.

BETHESDA, MD: The NYC branch of the Ronald McDonald House, a home away from home for children living with cancer, hired Zcomm as its video production partner.

REDWOOD CITY, CA: Singha North America is on the verge of selecting an agency for an integrated marketing AOR to help spread awareness of its beer brand in the US.

PARIS: MS&L owner Publicis Groupe reported that like-for-like revenue increased 7.1% to $1.83 billion in the second quarter of 2010.

CHICAGO: GolinHarris hired Amber Porter Cox as VP in its digital and interactive media group, Dialogue.

NEW YORK: Revenue at Interpublic's Constituency Management Group increased 7% in the second quarter of 2010, up to $242 million from $226.2 million last year.

MIAMI: The Latin Recording Academy, which produces the Latin Grammys, hired Edelman Multicultural as AOR after a competitive review process.

HACKENSACK, NJ: Shelter Our Sisters, a nonprofit that assists victims of domestic abuse, hired Beth Nussbaum as director of development and PR.

MEDFORD, OR: Gourmet food and gift basket retailer Harry & David has chosen Harrison & Shriftman as its AOR.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ: MWW Group hired David Herrick as EVP in its global consumer lifestyle group.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ: MWW Group hired David Herrick as EVP in its global consumer lifestyle group.

LANHAM, MD: Costs associated with three acquisitions resulted in a $1.2 million pre-tax loss for PR software provider Vocus in the second quarter, compared to $326,000 pre-tax profit in the same period last year.

BOCA RATON, FL: TransMedia Group has been hired by Millennium Lock to oversee PR for its Ultimate Lock product.