Corporate Social Responsibility

Spin Doctors Examine "CSR"

by John Stauber — December 4, 2003 - 11:00pm

"Corporate social responsibility [CSR], and the role that communications plays
within it, is a controversial subject. ... So when CSR agency Futerra Sustainability Communications teamed up with communications agency CTN, PRWeek and the IPR to run an online discussion on the issue on 12 November, more than 200 CSR practitioners and communication professionals signed in to express their opinions. ...

Main Source:

PR Week, December 5, 2003

Newman's Own Boosts McDonald's

by Laura Miller — November 9, 2003 - 11:00pm

Faced with the nation's growing waistline and flat sales in recent years, fast-food restaurants are relying on new products and PR to help improve their image and their profit. "Mike Donahue, VP, US communications and customer satisfaction for McDonald's, notes that PR pioneered McDonald's integrated marketing push on its salads," PR Week writes. "The company aligned its salads with Paul Newman's Newman's Own brand of salad dressings, offering those dressings for its new product. Newman's Own is highly regarded in the world of natural and organic foods.

Main Source:

PR Week, November 10, 2003

Exxon Tries to Shed Its Skin

by Sheldon Rampton — October 12, 2003 - 10:00pm

ExxonMobil, which has a reputation as the least socially responsible oil country in the world (no small feat), has been holding "a series of secret meetings with environmental and human rights groups worldwide in an effort to change its hard-nosed public image," reports Terry Macalister. But critics such as Cindy Baxter, a spokeswoman for the Stop Esso campaign, remain unconvinced. "This looks like PR.

Main Source:

Guardian (UK), October 13, 2003

Nike Settles Sweatshop Labor Suit, PR Stays Muted

by Laura Miller — September 11, 2003 - 10:00pm

"Nike said today that although it has settled the suit brought against it by California consumer activist Mark Kasky, it still intends to curtail its corporate PR efforts, including the continued suspension of its social-responsibility reporting initiative," PR Week reports. "Despite the settlement, which was announced this morning, Nike said it does not plan to ramp up the PR activities that had been curtailed because of the pending lawsuit. ...

Main Source:

PR Week, September 12, 2003

Food Industry's PR Offense Against Obesity

by Laura Miller — July 13, 2003 - 10:00pm

"Kraft Foods' recently announced initiatives on obesity have marked a new phase in how food companies will address Americans' concerns about food and nutrition," PR Week writes. Until now, the food industry has tried to deflect the blame for America's growing waistlines by promoting physical activity. Now Kraft and others are talking about changing products and marketing.

Main Source:

PR Week, July 14, 2003

Advertising 'Essential 2' Chemical Industry Image

by Laura Miller — June 30, 2003 - 10:00pm

The American Chemistry Council is considering an advertising campaign by ad giant Ogilvy & Mather "that would convey to the American public how essential the chemical industry is to modern life." The chemical industry trade association saw the campaign proposal, which could cost several hundred thousand dollars, at its recent exclusive membership meeting, reports Michael McCoy in Chemical & Engineer News. Ogilvy's initial market research "shows that the campaign could really 'move the needle' on the public's dim view of the industry. ...

Main Source:

Chemical & Engineering News, July 1, 2003

Supreme Court Won't Rule On Corporation's Right To Lie

by Laura Miller — June 25, 2003 - 10:00pm

The U.S. Supreme Court voted, 6 to 3, to dismiss Nike's appeal of a California Supreme Court decision on commercial speech. The Court said the case raised "novel constitutional questions" but was not ready for the high court's attention. The case, Nike v. Kasky, centered on whether or not Nike violated California's truth-in-advertising laws with its statements about the working conditions in its overseas factories.

Main Source:

International Herald Tribune, June 26, 2003

Corporate Irresponsibility Spurs PR Growth

by Laura Miller — June 22, 2003 - 10:00pm

Following a trend reported in PR Watch, 3rd Quarter 2002 of using PR to improve the image of global capitalism, PR giant Hill & Knowlton has formed a corporate social responsibility (CSR) group. PR Week reports,
"The CSR unit will attempt to focus on providing strategic counsel and communications support to CSR programs in areas including public outreach, internal communications, financial communications, community investment, public affairs, and environmental and CSR reporting.

Main Source:

PR Week, June 23, 2003

McDonald's Thinks It's 'Green'

by John Stauber — June 3, 2003 - 10:00pm

Inter Press Service reports that "The recent appointment of fast food giant McDonald's to the advisory board of an environmental group has drawn accusations of 'green washing' from environmentalists and led one board member to resign in protest. Paul Hawken, a well-known activist and environmentalist respected for his strong opposition to corporate globalisation, resigned two weeks ago from the Green Business Network... .

Main Source:

Inter Press Service, The Guardian, June 4, 2003

Burson-Marsteller Hires Former State Department Official For NGO Outreach

by Laura Miller — May 18, 2003 - 10:00pm

PR giant Burson-Marsteller has hired Bennett Freeman as managing director for Corporate Responsibility in the firm's U.S. Corporate and Financial Practice.

Main Source:

Burson-Marsteller Press Release, May 19, 2003