PRWeek US News

CHICAGO: Edelman named Deb Fiddelke SVP and leader of the firm's public affairs practice in Chicago.

WASHINGTON: The Glover Park Group named Jennifer Loven an MD in the firm's public affairs practice, starting in early September.

WASHINGTON: The US Travel Association launched a "Virtual Travel Town Hall" encouraging people who work in the sector to ask Congressional candidates about issues that have blighted the industry in recent years.

LONDON: HSBC says the departure of Tracy Britton, previously head of group marketing for the global bank, will not affect communications and PR, as they are separate functions.

SEATTLE: Wilson PR has added two new accounts to its client roster.

NEW YORK: Euro RSCG hired Lisa Gruber as global communications manager, effective August 10.

NEW YORK: Hearst has launched an iPhone app for its Redbook magazine, the latest in a series of digital developments for the publisher.

SAN FRANCISCO: MS&L Group named Matt Gardner SVP, with responsibility for leading the firm's Western US region healthcare team.

SAN FRANCISCO: Jean Gonsoulin, former EVP and head of GolinHarris' San Francisco office, left the firm to set up her own consultancy.

CHICAGO: GolinHarris promoted Debbie Harvey, who manages the firm's advocacy work for Boehringer Ingelheim, to SVP.

RALEIGH, NC: The US Polo Association has hired French/West/Vaughan as its AOR following a competitive pitch.

NEWPORT, KY: The Eisen Agency has been hired by the Wave Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Newport Aquarium.

FORT KNOX, KY: The US Army posted the solicitation for its multi-million dollar marketing and advertising program - including PR - opening the door for the industry's top agencies to bid against incumbent McCann Worldgroup.

SAN FRANCISCO: Ogilvy PR elevated EVP Dushka Zapata to lead its San Francisco office as it continues to integrate its PR and advertising functions.

SAN FRANCISCO: Ogilvy PR elevated EVP Dushka Zapata to lead its San Francisco office as it continues to integrate its PR and advertising functions.

NEW YORK: Critical Mention unveiled CriticalTV 4.0 today, an updated version of its Web-based broadcast monitoring tool for PR and corporate communications professionals.

CAMBRIDGE, MA: Genzyme hired Cohn & Wolfe to provide global pre-launch communications for Alemtuzumab, a multiple sclerosis drug that received fast-track status from the Food and Drug Administration in June.

CHICAGO: Zeno Group has appointed Tracey Thiele as SVP, social media strategy.

JetBlue Airlines has issued a formal statement responding to yesterday's incident when flight attendant Steven Slater exited the plane via an emergency chute after arguing with a passenger and telling off the entire fleet.

PHILADELPHIA: Furia Rubel Communications has added two new accounts to its client roster.