Issue Management

Alli Oops! A Real Mess for Drug Campaign

by Bob Burton — June 17, 2007 - 4:56am

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has launched a $150 million promotion campaign for its over-the-counter (OTC) weight loss drug, Alli. But not all media coverage is up-beat about what is a lower-dose version of Roche's prescription only drug, Xenical.

Main Source: 
New York Daily News, June 13, 2007

Coke's Water Deal Omits India

by Bob Burton — June 11, 2007 - 8:39pm

When Coca-Cola announced it would fund a joint water conservation initiative with WWF, it identified seven major water reserves around the world where it would fund projects. But none of the projects will be in India, where the company has been embroiled in controversy.

Main Source: 
Press Trust of India, June 5, 2007

Things Go Worse With Coke

by Bob Burton — June 7, 2007 - 4:38am

From the Killer Coke campaign

After the International Labor Organization included Australia on a list of 25 countries of concern, the Australian government lashed out.

Main Source: 
Sydney Morning Herald, June 6, 2007

Young, Reliable "Activists" Outed as Corporate Spooks

by Bob Burton — May 28, 2007 - 7:38am

A private investigation company, Thompson & Clark Investigations, employed agents to infiltrate environmental, peace and animal rights groups in New Zealand, investigative journalist Nicky Hager has revealed.

Main Source: 
Sunday Star Times (New Zealand), May 27, 2007

One Sham Nuclear Review Replaces Another

by Bob Burton — May 27, 2007 - 3:25am

In a signal that the departure of Tony Blair as British Prime Minister won't result in any major policy shifts, Prime Minister-elect Gordon Brown has supported the construction of up to eight new nuclear power stations.

Main Source: 
The Guardian (UK), May 23, 2007

UK Counter-Terrorism Leak Trail Leads to the Top

by Bob Burton — April 27, 2007 - 11:00pm

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has rejected calls for an independent inquiry into three advance journalist briefings, prior to police raids in February that resulted in six men being arrested and charged with terrorism offences.

Main Source: 
The Guardian (UK), April 26, 2007

Nuclear Industry Pins Hopes on Subsidies

by Bob Burton — April 23, 2007 - 4:13pm

Around the world there are consultants, PR advisers and industry associations hyping nuclear power as a "solution" to global warming. However, they rarely mention the hidden costs. In a recent briefing for Wall Street analysts, the major U.S.

Main Source: 
Australian Broadcasting Corporation, April 22, 2007

Spin Doctor Claims Greenwashing Is Dying

by Bob Burton — April 20, 2007 - 5:10am

E. Bruce Harrison, who began his PR career by helping the pesticide industry attack Rachel Carson and her classic 1962 environmental book "Silent Spring," now proclaims that the era of corporate greenwashing is almost over. In an opinion column, he writes that greenwashing in the 1990's "meant the company was painting over bad stuff with good words.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub req'd), April 19, 2007

Guantanamo Prisoner and His Parents Gagged

by Bob Burton — April 4, 2007 - 6:04am

In a plea bargain, the first Guantanamo Bay prisoner convicted on terrorism charges by the U.S. government's military commission, David Hicks, agreed to a 12 month ban on speaking to the media. After five years at Guantanamo Bay, Hicks will serve a further nine months in a prison in his home state of South Australia. The gag condition -- which would be illegal for a U.S.

Main Source: 
Sydney Morning Herald, April 4, 2007
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