Public Relations

"Harry and Louise" Against Consumer Protection

by Diane Farsetta — July 8, 2009 - 2:52pm

The industry backlash against the Obama administration's financial reform plans -- especially the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency -- is taking shape. "A coalition of financial trade groups is brainstorming on how to sink the agency," reports Reuters.

Main Source: 
Reuters, July 6, 2009

End of the Road for Medialink

by Bob Burton — July 2, 2009 - 5:43am

Medialink Worldwide -- the largest producer of video news releases and audio news releases -- has announced that it has reached an agreement to be taken over by The NewsMarket.

Main Source: 
Medialink Media Release, July 1, 2009

Prying Doors Open at The Economist

by Bob Burton — June 25, 2009 - 5:26am

"The Economist," bemoans Andy Rowlands, the director of corporate, issues and technology practice at the public relations giant Burson-Marsteller, "is one of the most influential, but also most difficult places to secure coverage." The former head of PR for the London-based magazine (now a PR consultant), Eileen Wise, suggests that persistence pays off.

Main Source: 
PR Week, June 23, 2009

CMD's Wendell Potter Exposes Health Insurance PR

by John Stauber — June 24, 2009 - 12:05pm
  • Topics: Corporations, Health, Public Relations

    • Wendell Potter came to the Center for Media and Democracy in May as an admirer of our work exposing corporate front groups, lobbyists and PR manipulators. He should know, he was one of the best PR executives in the health insurance business, CIGNA's Vice President of Corporate Communications until he had a major change of heart.

    Today Wendell is CMD's Senior Fellow on Health Care, testifying before the US Senate Commerce Committee. His passion is health care reform and his expertise is exposing how the powerful industry he once helped run is manipulating and managing the health care reform debate raging among policy makers, the public and in the media.

    More Messaging for the Earth

    by Diane Farsetta — June 24, 2009 - 11:22am

    At the launch of a public relations and marketing campaign in support of the United Nations' upcoming climate change conference, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated, "We need a global movement that mobilizes real change." The UN's COP15 conference will be held in Copenhagen,

    Main Source: 
    O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub req'd), June 23, 2009

    Kremlin Comrades Crave Kinder Coverage

    by Diane Farsetta — June 24, 2009 - 10:52am

    In May, the Russian government "created a high-level commission to overhaul its image on the world stage as the first anniversary of Russia's war with Georgia approaches." The commission is chaired by President Dmitry Medvedev's chief of staff, Sergei Naryshikin, "underscoring how serious the Kremlin considers the problem, which it often blames on shadowy external enemies and ill-wishers," reports the Wall Street Journal.

    Main Source: 
    Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), June 18, 2009

    Rebranding Abstinence Only

    by Diane Farsetta — June 24, 2009 - 10:11am

    "Well aware that their cause is in trouble and unpopular, purity proponents are revamping their image to appear more mainstream," reports Jessica Valenti.

    Main Source: 
    The Nation, June 17, 2009

    Any Way the Wind Blows at Weber Shandwick

    by Diane Farsetta — June 16, 2009 - 3:15pm

    Weber Shandwick UK counts among its clients Viking Energy, a company "seeking to build a 153-turbine wind farm in the Shetlands." But the PR firm's chair of public affairs, Jonathan McLeod, recently launched an anti-wind power campaign, using his Weber Shandwick email address.

    Main Source: 
    New Energy Focus (UK), June 16, 2009
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