Public Relations

FDIC Banks on Good PR

by Diane Farsetta — June 16, 2009 - 2:33pm

From March 2008 to January 2009, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) spent $7.6 million on public relations and marketing, to "instill confidence in the stability of the insured banking system" and mark the agency's 75th anniversary. The Weber Shandwick and Porter Novelli firms worked on the FDIC campaign.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub req'd), June 16, 2009

Messaging for the Earth

by Diane Farsetta — June 16, 2009 - 1:33pm

After conducting "focus groups, a phone survey, an online survey" and other public opinion research, the PR firm ecoAmerica released a report on effective talking points "for speaking with the American public about energy climate change, climate solutions, renewable energy and carbon based fuels." As the New York Times noted previou

Main Source: 
Grist, June 11, 2009

Afghan Ambassador Asks for a Lobbying Surge

by Diane Farsetta — June 10, 2009 - 12:42pm

"Our immediate neighbors Pakistan, India, and China are contracting over a dozen prominent lobbyists. ...

Main Source: 
Mother Jones, June 9, 2009

Slick Award

by Bob Burton — June 8, 2009 - 4:47am

The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), a peak lobby group for the oil industry and an opponent of strong government action on global warming, has awarded the JN Pierce Award for Media Excellence to the editor-in-chief of

Main Source: 
Sydney Morning Herald, June 6, 2009

A PR Campaign to Make BPA Plastic Fantastic

by Diane Farsetta — June 3, 2009 - 1:50pm

On May 28, industry executives met "to devise a public relations and lobbying strategy to block government bans" of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in cans and plastic containers.

Main Source: 
Washington Post, May 31, 2009

Greenwashing a Coal Power Plant

by Bob Burton — June 2, 2009 - 3:53am

The Guardian, a major British news publisher, is hosting The Guardian Climate Change Summit 2009, which it states aims to "explore how business can build and maintain a commitment to tackling climate change through the recession and beyond." The conference, which is sponsored by the energy company E.ON UK and the Food

Main Source: 
The Guardian Climate Change Summit 2009, June 2009

Reputation Cleaning, After a Coal Disaster

by Diane Farsetta — May 26, 2009 - 3:54pm

Following a December 2008 massive coal ash spill at the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA's) Kingston coal-fired power station in Roane County, Tennessee, local officials want a three-year, $1.9 million public relations campaign.

Main Source: 
Knoxville News Sentinel (Tennessee), May 23, 2009

Psychotic Marketing for an Antipsychotic Drug

by Diane Farsetta — May 20, 2009 - 1:19pm

Public relations and planning documents from AstraZeneca discuss promoting "off-label" or unapproved uses for the company's drug Seroquel. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Seroquel for schizophrenia, psychotic and bipolar disorders among adults.

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), May 20, 2009

Lawsuit Against Smokers and Spinners Proceeds

by Diane Farsetta — May 20, 2009 - 10:54am

A class-action lawsuit charging major tobacco companies and a public relations firm with a "decades-long campaign of deceptive advertising and misleading statements" can proceed, ruled the California Supreme Court.

Main Source: 
Reuters, May 19, 2009
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