Luke A. Dickinson rejoined Spectrum as account director ... Widmeyer Communications added Vice President Nona Richardson to its PreK-12 education team ... and Marcia Silverman and Judith H. Whittlesey have been elected to the Board of Directors of Counterpart International.

The biggest change for the news media in recent years “is the advent of social media,” Jack Speer, a veteran NPR newscaster told a PRSA-NCC Professional Development luncheon on Oct. 26. In addressing about 60 attendees at Carmine’s restaurant in Washington, DC, he said “social media  

SmithGifford has launched a new campaign and website for Melwood, the Upper Marlboro-based nonprofit that helps create opportunities for people with disabilities. The theme of the campaign is "Perfect" and is designed to educate the community that even though people may have disabilities, there are jobs and careers that are perfect for them.

In partnership with Carousel30, The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has launched its “7 Billion & Me” website. The world’s population will top seven billion people on Oct. 31, 2011. To mark this historic, global event, the UNFPA launched a global movement called "7 Billion Actions" to inspire change by highlighting positive actions individuals and organizations can take that will make a difference around the world.

Capitol Communicator's Wonder Town was held last week in the sculpture barn of Baltimore's wonder museum, American Visionary Art Museum. Communications professionals from all realms of the business attended Capitol Communicator's second event held in Baltimore this year. Exhibiting and attending were...

Jennifer Heinlein has been appointed publisher of Citybizlist Baltimore by Edwin Warfield, founder and chairman of Citybizlist. Heinlein joined Citybizlist in Baltimore over a year ago as an advertising director, after 17 years with the Baltimore Business Journ Read More »

The social media revolution means The End of Business as Usual and a new era of influence, says social media powerhouse Brian Solis. As customers grow more confident and vocal, big brands are adapting or falling by the wayside. Meanwhile, fast-moving challengers are making huge gains through smart, meaningful customer engagement. Put yourself on the winning side: Join Solis for an inspirational Vocus webinar based on his latest book, Tuesday, Nov.1, from 2 – 3 p.m ET.

“Veep,” a new comedy series from HBO, will begin filming in the District this week. Set in the nation’s capital, “Veep” stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as former Senator Selina Meyer, who becomes vice president, only to discover the job is nothing like she expected, but everything she was warned about. Louis-Dreyfus is expected for the first day of the two-day shoot.

So, how’s Anderson Cooper’s new syndicated talk show doing on WJLA-TV at 4 p.m.? Well, according to Lisa de Moraes in The Washington Post, “with October ratings coming into the final stretch, the station’s ratings are down 68 percent compared to same time last year in what we like to call

Mercury, a national public strategy firm, and Clark & Weinstock, a government relations firm based D.C., have merged their D.C. operations and will operate under the Mercury/Clark & Weinstock brand in D.C. and the Mercury brand in New York, California, Florida, New Jersey, Illinois and Pennsylvania.

Shashi Bellamkonda, Network Solutions’ Social Media Swami, will present a luncheon session, Tuesday, Nov. 15, on selling social media to your organization. The session, which runs from noon until 1:30 p.m., will provide you with information on how to convince your boss and others that it is in your organization’s best interest to use social media to reach communications and marketing objectives.

Employees at DC-based Elevation really enjoy their work, states the November issue of Washingtonian magazine.  In fact, the multicultural advertising agency ranked first in staff scores in the “I Love Coming to Work" category in a feature detailing 50 great places to work.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is inviting cancer patients, survivors, their caregivers and their families and friends to the National Mall today, Oct. 20, from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., to take part in the filming of a national television ad encouraging Congress and the 12 members of the “super committee” to make cancer a national priority.

Sixteen percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes are reported to have been distracted while driving, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To motivate, educate, and encourage teens to drive safely, the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) and the Ad Council announced a nationwide scholarship program and video contest on behalf of the Project Yellow Light organization, which was established in 2007 in memory of Hunter Garner, teenage son of Julie Garner of The Martin Agency, a Richmond-based agency, who was killed in a car crash that year.

Carousel30 named Digital Agency of Record by The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars ...Lovenhart Research & Consulting is moving its headquarters to Santa Fe ... Siteworx promoted Justin Stayrook ... and, Scott Rolle, one of Bill Rolle’s sons, kicked off his second season on the History Read More »

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the National Institutes of Health has awarded IQ Solutions, Inc., the Institute's primary communications support contract for its Public Information and Communications Branch.  The five-year contract, which has four option periods, is worth $14.7 million if all option periods are exercised.

Paramount’s “G.I. Joe,” the sequel to the 2009 movie “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” filmed in the District for three days earlier this month. The production obtained footage of 15th and Constitution Avenue, NW, the U.S. Capitol and other landmarks and buildings.

Lance Wain has been named president of Grafik Marketing Communications. Wain is transitioning from his previous position as managing director and will assume the day-to-day leadership of the company going forward.

Wain has been responsible for new business development for the Alexandria-based agency since 2001

The Ad Council has redesigned its website to heighten awareness of the significant social issues addressed by its public service advertising (PSA) campaigns and to also inspire Americans to take action. The website features a new design and additional content to effectively communicate the work, mission and expanded capabilities of the Ad Council. DC-based Beaconfire redesigned the website.

By Sean Follin

Potomac Tech Wire, a premier source of tech news for the region and nation, put on a breakfast panel on Oct. 12 featuring some of the best and brightest in forward-thinking marketers. Titled “The Future of Marketing,” the panel included Matt Goddard, CEO of R2integrated; Bob London, president of London Ink; Eric Ludwig, Read More »

Capitol Communicator hosts Wonder Town in Baltimore on Oct. 19 and it is shaping up to be a not-to-miss event, whether you’re in the communications business or not. Great talent, companies and minds from Baltimore and DC are coming together. It is being held at the wonderfully creative and absolutely fun American Visionary Arts Museum

Many designers can attest that making a final paper selection is often overwhelming and time consuming. But Neenah Paper is proving that it doesn’t have to be. The premium paper company updated and simplified the paper selection process by refreshing all four of its CLASSIC® Papers brands - and Design Army played a role in the campaign.

Using the 10 common colors, or the "Perfect 10,” Design Army created new

DCRTV has been reporting rumors that CBS might start a news or talk radio station in Washington. Now, states DCRTV, the TRI radio biz newsletter reports: "In Washington DC, is CBS fielding research about a new all-news station? There's strong street buzz that CBS will get WFSI, Annapolis. (Are even the CBS salespeople talking about it?) And what would CBS do with the full Class B signal? From what TRI hears - all-news. Yes, against Hubbard's top-rated WTOP (103.5 plus simulcast signals).

The Washington Business Journal will recognize the 25 Women Who Mean Business honorees for 2011 – including Susan Davis. These exceptional women, said WBJ, have proven commitment to their communities, business savvy and are leaders in their industry.

Vietnam Veterans of America selected Crosby Marketing Communications to create a new website and online promotions for its clothing and household goods donation services ... Williams Whittle reports that WTOP has engaged the agency for media services and has other agency updates ... Ogilvy Washington&am Read More »

DC Design Week 2011, a week-long celebration of design and creativity, runs from Oct. 16-21. Daily events range from a fierce kickball competition to a street art tour to a costumed celebration. DC Design Week kicks off

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, honored the best in LGBT-inclusive advertising, marketing and public relations at the 2011 GLAAD Amplifier Awards last week.  During the event, chief commercial officer for American Airlines, Virasb Vahidi, presented Bob Witeck and Wesley Combs of DC-based Witeck-Combs Communications with the Public Visibility Award in recognition of their careers advocating for LGBT inclusion in all forms of media and marketing.

Former Channel 9/WUSA sports anchor Brett Haber is joining Washingtonian magazine to be an editor-at-large.

Craig Dubrow, who had taken a leave of absence as chairman and CEO of McLean-based Gannett Co., Inc, to address continuing medical issues, has resigned and Gracia C. Martore has been named president and chief operating officer.