Issue Management

Same Old Dog and No New Tricks: Update on Messaging on Iran

by Sam Gardiner — June 20, 2008 - 12:28pm
  • Topics: Iran, Issue Management, International, Media, Propaganda, Think Tanks, U.S. Government, War / Peace

    • We know from Scott McClellan, the former White House Spokesman, in his recent book, What Happened, that President Bush insists on discipline in messaging. Although the publics on both sides of the Atlantic have gotten to the point of heavily discounting what he says, the President's desire for control can give us a sense of the thrust of policy. This is certainly true with respect to Iran.

    Tiger Woods Caddies for Chevron

    by Bob Burton — May 28, 2008 - 12:19am

    In early April, the global oil company Chevron announced that it has entered into a five-year deal with the foundation created by the professional golfer, Tiger Woods. Woods proclaimed that "Chevron has a track record and a commitment to bettering the communities where they operate." Chevron's record, such as its partnership with the Burmese military dictatorship on the Yandana gas pipeline is "certainly nothing with which Woods should want his name attached," writes Dave Zirin in The Nation.

    Main Source: 
    The Nation, May 22, 2008

    Shinawatra's Own Goal

    by Bob Burton — May 15, 2008 - 11:40pm

    Former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, has called in the founder of of the U.K-based PR firm, Bell Pottinger, Tim Bell, to help rebuild his image.

    Main Source: 
    PR Week, May 15, 2008

    Colombia Seeks UK PR Help

    by Bob Burton — May 9, 2008 - 3:43am

    The Colombian government -- which is dogged by controversy over its human rights record -- is seeking help from British PR firms to help promote a "modern" image amongst journalists and politicians. Colombia's deputy head of mission in the UK, Andelfo Garcia, told PR Week that "the stereotype of Colombia is not right. We are a growing country with a good story to tell.

    Main Source: 
    PR Week (UK), May 8, 2008

    Scandal, What Scandal?

    by Bob Burton — May 2, 2008 - 2:54am

    Almost two weeks after the New York Times reported on the Penatgon's military analyst program to sell controversial policies such as the invasion of Iraq, the broadcast television news outlets implicated in the program are hoping to tough out the scandal by refusing to report it.

    Main Source: 
    Media Matters of America, April 29, 2008

    Managing Outrage (and Stalling Reforms)

    by Diane Farsetta — April 30, 2008 - 5:16pm

    As gas and food prices rise, so does scrutiny of industry profits. But "food and energy companies have learned a lot since the 1970s about how to deal with public indignation," writes George Anders. In 1980, "Congress hit the energy industry with a windfall profits tax" that lasted until 1988.

    Main Source: 
    Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), April 30, 2008
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