PRWeek US News

WASHINGTON: The quick resolution to the standoff between The Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization and Planned Parenthood is a testament to the power of social media, say industry experts.

JACKSONVILLE, FL: Advertising and PR firm the Dalton Agency has merged with Atlanta-based advertising agency Kilgannon.

NEW YORK: Location-based social networking service Foursquare has hired M Booth as its PR AOR, confirmed Foursquare PR manager Erin Gleason.

NORTHFIELD, IL: Kraft Foods is launching its belVita Breakfast Biscuits in the US by promoting them as a new morning concept for American consumers.

Brands are making their internal PR teams and agency partners a bigger part of their Super Bowl plans, lengthening the news cycle for their ads and taking advantage of consumer enthusiasm on social media.

CHICAGO: DePaul University has hired Cynthia Lawson as VP of PR and communications, effective April 2.

JERSEY CITY, NJ: Silver Touch, a mobile media-services provider, has appointed KCSA Strategic Communications to implement a national investor relations program.

SAN FRANCISCO: Text 100 has hired Michael DiLorenzo as VP of digital for North America and Jason Clarke as VP of marketing and business development.

NEW YORK: Sermo, an international network of PR agencies, has signed German agency Headspace PR and Australian firm Saunders & Co.

FORT WORTH, TX: Fashion accessory manufacturer Treska has selected Zelo Public Relations as AOR with the goal of increasing brand awareness.

MENLO PARK, CA: Facebook's initial public offering filing brought the company a slew of media attention, but it also gave the public a closer look at the social media heavyweight.

NEW YORK: MWW Group has hired Mara Mazzoni as VP of digital operations for Dialogue Digital, the agency's digital marketing, social media, and visual branding practice.

PARIS: Publicis Groupe has acquired Flip Media, a Dubai, UAE-based digital agency network.

WOONSOCKET, RI: Larry Burton will join CVS as SVP of government affairs on February 27.

LOS ANGELES: Jeff McConnell, president of McConnell Government Relations, has joined Englander Knabe & Allen (EKA) as SVP and merged his firm into EKA.

ALBANY, NY: AT&T has hired Marissa Shorenstein as president of AT&T New York. She will oversee the telecom giant's public and external affairs strategies across the state.

BOSTON: Home furnishing e-commerce company Wayfair has selected Lippe Taylor as its first consumer agency following an RFP process.

BOSTON: Home furnishing e-commerce company Wayfair has selected Lippe Taylor as its first PR AOR following an RFP process.

MALIBU, CA: Toy manufacturer Jakks Pacific has selected Bender/Helper Impact as AOR for the launch of a boys' adventure series and a new product line.

WASHINGTON: Ogilvy PR Worldwide is working with the Essential Health Benefits Coalition to promote its recommendations for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.