International

Another Attempt to Change Brand Israel

by Diane Farsetta — October 8, 2008 - 3:32pm

The British "country brand capital development" firm Acanchi is crafting a "new image" for Israel. "Our research shows that Israel's brand is essentially the [Israel-Palestine] conflict," explained Israeli Foreign Ministry official Ido Aharoni.

Main Source: 
Haaretz (Israel), October 5, 2008

Costly Silence

by Bob Burton — October 4, 2008 - 6:14am

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), a UK government agency charged with deciding whether drugs should be subsidized by the British government, has been criticized by some patient groups for refusing to approve new and expensive drugs.

Main Source: 
The Independent (UK), October 1, 2008

Johns Hopkins Make Reports Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

by Diane Farsetta — October 2, 2008 - 1:04pm

As part of a broader public relations and lobbying push, Kazakhstan's government paid Johns Hopkins University to author three reports about the country. The arrangement was brokered through APCO Worldwide, Kazakhstan's Washington DC lobbying firm.

Main Source: 
ABC News, September 29, 2008

Hill & Knowlton Engages "Influencers" for the IMF

by Diane Farsetta — September 29, 2008 - 2:19pm

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has retained the major public relations firm Hill & Knowlton for one year, to boost the international financial institution's "global outreach." H&K's press release quotes CEO Paul Taaffe as saying, "The IMF plays a crucial role around the world working to stabilize financial markets.

Main Source: 
Hill & Knowlton press release, September 22, 2008

British Shell Game on Carbon Emissions

by Judith Siers-Poisson — September 24, 2008 - 3:33pm

According to documents leaked to The Guardian, the British government has been actively trying to undermine the European Union's proposals to drastically reduce carbon emissions in order to combat climate change. The UK wants to be able to count more imported carbon credits in order to meet pollution reduction targets.

Main Source: 
The Guardian (UK), September 18, 2008

Nuclear Waste on the Move

by Judith Siers-Poisson — September 23, 2008 - 9:45am

International Nuclear Services (INS) is looking for PR support for an unpopular issue -- transportation of nuclear waste. "INS was created out of the 'spent fuel services' business of Sellafield to provide a service to more than 20 global utility firms.

Main Source: 
PR Week (UK, sub req'd), September 18, 2008

Bolivia: The Spies Who Spun Me

by Diane Farsetta — September 18, 2008 - 2:21pm

In Bolivia, anti-government protests have led to dozens of deaths. President Evo Morales claimed the United States is supporting the violent groups and asked U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg to leave. The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), pointing to earlier reports that the U.S.

Main Source: 
Center for Economic and Policy Research, September 12, 2008

Public Diplomacy 2.0

by Sheldon Rampton — September 16, 2008 - 9:21am

After several months offline, former U.S. Foreign Service officer John Brown has reactivated his "Public Diplomacy Press and Blog Review," which summarizes current news about public relations efforts by the United States and other countries.

Main Source: 
Public Diplomacy Press and Blog Review, Version 2.0

Colombia Still Pushing on Trade Agreement

by Diane Farsetta — September 2, 2008 - 3:11pm

The Colombian government will pay U.S. lobbyist Andrew J. Samet another $45,000, "to present Colombia's track record on labor issues to Congress, non-governmental organizations and labor unions." The new contract is similar to Samet's earlier work to push the U.S.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub req'd), September 2, 2008
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