Briefly in business

The public relations firm of Paine & Associates, which maintains a

40-person office in Costa Mesa, announced a name change and expansion

plans this week.

The company will now be known as PainePR, a name change that is part

of an effort to increase nationwide awareness of the firm. In addition to

the new name, the publicity campaign will feature Web site redesign and

greater promotion of the company’s client services.

Paine will also open a New York office by January 2001, a facility

that is expected to house 20 staff members.

PainePR is one of the nation’s top mid-size public relations agencies,

with offices in Costa Mesa, Los Angeles and New York.