Pr Company

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- A representative from Dallas-based Hunt Oil Corp. did talk with the U.S. State Department prior to signing a controversial oil deal with Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government, according to an internal department communication obtained by United Press International.

Hunt Oil, whose chief executive officer is connected to the Bush administration by campaign donations and a seat on an intelligence advisory board, had previously denied the meeting.

The company now says the meeting took place but that Hunt did not seek advice from the U.S. government on investing in a country with the world's third-largest proven oil reserves.

The Sept. 8 production-sharing contract with the KRG set off Baghdad, which accuses the region of unilaterally and illegally signing oil deals.

Elizabeth Arden, Inc. Enters into Licensing Agreement with Iconix ...

NEW YORK, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Elizabeth Arden, Inc. (NASDAQ: RDEN) , a global prestige beauty products company, has entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICON) ("Iconix") for the development, marketing and distribution of men's and women's fragrance, cosmetics, and skincare products with the leading lifestyle apparel brand Rocawear(R). A debut fragrance is planned to launch in the fall of 2008.

Iconix purchased the Rocawear brand in March of 2007. Rocawear is a dominant lifestyle brand with a wide range of customers and categories including sportswear, footwear, outerwear, handbags, belts, loungewear, big & tall, headwear, jewelry, sunglasses and children's clothing.

Albany Sports Teams

Articles with the ( ) icon are for Print Subscribers only. Exclusive Reports 'Angels' open wallets for new tech company Not just two and out--community colleges expand bachelor's degree programs Attorneys: Court ruling clears way for Nigro Group shopping plaza Business groups unconvinced Spitzer can stick to no-tax-increase pledge Rosen, Amedore mixed-use project on Colonie drawing board Toll Bros., national luxury home builder, sees potential in Colonie Developer moves ahead with Albany project after settling tenant dispute Hotel developer woos restaurant chain; Shula's Steak Houses eyeing Saratoga State sets aside $2.5M for renovation of Center City complex in Schenectady Kelley to Prime Cos. after 30-year career in economic development Enterprise Rensselaer professor finds everything he needs to start company on Troy campus Selling Points: A sense of accountability may be your most important attribute--use it 10 minutes with Angelo Mazzone In the Spotlight: Patrick Morris In Depth: Professional Image Wellness sells: Spa numbers on rise As men's grooming market grows, spas and salons offer more services Opinion Editor's Notebook: Real Estate Listings Other Features People On the MoveLatest News AMD representatives meet local gov't officials to discuss chip plant [Friday] Zone 5 creates PR and public affairs division [Friday] Dinallo named chair of national insurance regulators committee [Friday] 'Spamalot' breaks national touring record at Proctors [Friday] Ballingers restaurant and nightclub in downtown Albany for sale [Friday] Albany Patroons enter new contract with Northeast Orthopaedics [Friday] Berkshire Hills Bancorp.

New energy bill calls for 35 MPG CAFE, increased ethanol production ...

You are present at a moment of change, of real change," said House speaker Nancy Pelosi. "It could have been stronger," added Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer. "It's really unfortunate that we didn't have the renewable electricity standard or the incentives for wind and solar. But we'll fight for those another day."

"Ford has worked with lawmakers to enact nationwide requirements that provide a significant increase in fuel economy while protecting consumers' choices of cars, SUVs and light trucks," Ford Motor Company said in a statement.

ITEX Corporation Retains Two Top Chicago Marketing Firms to Expand ...

BELLEVUE, Wash., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ITEX Corporation (OTCBulletinBoard: ITEX) , The Membership Trading Community(SM), a leading marketplace for cashless business transactions in North America, today announced it had retained two top Chicago marketing firms -- The Goodness Company and Sigale Public Relations -- to provide additional professional assistance to its franchisees in the rapidly expanding Chicago region by promoting member registrations.

The Goodness Company will assist and support the ITEX franchise network in building their local businesses. The Goodness Company will begin by creating instrumental PR tools such as a PR Tool Kit and Press Kit, and will direct a monthly franchisee conference call in addition to developing tips on how to help franchisees secure optimal public relations and publicity for their businesses.

The Baltimore Sun Executive Profiles

Timothy (Tim) E. Ryan became publisher, president, and chief executive officer of The Baltimore Sun Company in 2007, after having served as vice president of circulation and consumer marketing since 2005 at the Chicago Tribune. There, Ryan had responsibility for the sales, marketing and distribution to Chicago Tribune subscribers and retail customers throughout Chicago and the Midwest. Ryan's management responsibilities included oversight of RedEye, the rapidly growing young-adult oriented edition of Chicago Tribune.

Prior to joining the Chicago Tribune, Ryan served as vice president of circulation and operations at The Baltimore Sun from July 2000 to February 2005. Ryan also worked as vice president of circulation at the Philadelphia Inquirer from June 1993 to June 2000.

Ryan started his career at Chicago Tribune in 1982, serving in a variety of circulation management positions.

Which bank will give the direction in a difficult time

As has been noted previously, Davis has ridden to perfection the two key themes of the resources boom, diversification and consolidation. In 2002, the former Billiton executive was running a $US3.4 billion company, which today he is trying to sell for around the $US80 billion mark. Some would say this sale may well be the top of the market because, after all, with perceived borderline top quartile assets he should chase a sale sooner. Davis has admitted that suitor Vale, the old CVRD, is playing games with Brazilian press reports, saying the Government will block the sale, fearful of the price being offered and potential dilution of its controlling stake in the company. The latter is, of course, nonsense, because the equity being offered is non-voting stock. If BHP thinks Rio's constitution makes a hostile bid tough (hostile being the term used to describe an uninvited bid that doesn't offer shareholders enough money and the executives and board the right jobs) then it should ask its colleagues at Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, Deutsche, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley, who are all trying to sort out a few Russian billionaires to get Norilsk and Rusal together.

De Beers Cuts Marketing Budget, Concentrating on male Consumer

De Beers is cutting its U.S. marketing budget, forcing the layoff of 11 employees working on the Diamond Trading Co. (DTC) account at advertising firm JWT, National Jeweler reports. Sally Morrison of the Diamond Information Center confirmed to National Jeweler that the cutbacks are related to the perception that the United States is headed into a recession, and that 2008 is expected to be a tough year for everyone. As a result, De Beers is refocusing its efforts to concentrate on the male consumer; the company's "beacon" products, such as Journey diamond jewelry and three-stone rings, won't include anymore female-targeted advertising. Morrison confirmed that the loss of advertising would be counteracted by more public relations, and that those employees impacted were not senior level. The news is the latest in a string of bad news for the jewelry industry as a whole, as De Beers always has been known for its robust advertising campaigns.