An Unfair Trade: Jobs for Ads

Share this

At least four governors "have pulled out of an agreement... that would bar giving preferences to local businesses or restricting outsourcing." U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick asked the governors "to comply with procurement provisions in pending bilateral and regional trade agreements... to give the U.S. trade office more bargaining power." Meanwhile, India's Tata Consultancy Services, the self-described "business process outsourcing" leader, hired PR firm Fleishman-Hillard "to boost its profile in the international marketplace." And "two of Madison Avenue's biggest advertising agencies" "outsourced" political campaign ads to India. The agencies used "carefully choreographed images and clever modes of delivery - including cellphones," reports the Wall Street Journal. "Professional spin-masters are new players in Indian elections, which traditionally have been won through grass-roots campaigns." It was "the first time Indian political parties... drew from corporate-branding strategies."