Public Relations

Duby-ous in Connecticut

by Diane Farsetta — January 24, 2008 - 12:40pm

Image from the PR videoA sponsored public relations video airing on cable stations in five Connecticut towns is drawing scrutiny.

Main Source: 
New Haven Advocate (Connecticut), January 24, 2008

Whither the Weather?

by Diane Farsetta — January 23, 2008 - 6:28pm

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security "is paying a Pennsylvania ad firm to pitch 'pre-written' winter-weather-preparedness articles" to national and local media.

Main Source: 
Seven Days (Vermont), January 16, 2008

Corporate Responsibility or "Hidden Campaigns"?

by Anne Landman — January 22, 2008 - 2:49pm

The General Chairman of Indonesia's National Commission for Child Protection, Seto Mulyadi, called tobacco companies' corporate social responsibility programs "hidden cigarette campaigns." Mulyadi said that cigarette companies "do free advertising through their CSR programs." Mulyadi is proposing a complete ban on cigarette advertising in Indonesia, after a study by the country's Publi

Main Source: 
Tempo Interactive, Jakarta, January 18, 2008

Flacks Posing as 'Citizen Journalists'

by Sheldon Rampton — January 19, 2008 - 10:31am

When the Tallahassee Democrat combed the community in early 2007 for residents whose blogs and articles could fill out the paper's local coverage, Stacey N. Getz was happy to sign on. "Getz's Let's Talk Tallahassee blog is a paean to civic boosterism, inviting readers to submit ideas to help business leaders and developers improve the city," writes Adam Weinstein.

Main Source: 
Mother Jones, January/February 2008

"Clean Coal" for the Candidates

by Diane Farsetta — January 18, 2008 - 4:51pm

The coal industry front group calling itself Americans for Balanced Energy Choices (ABEC) "is waging a $35 million campaign in primary and caucus states to rally public support for coal-fired electricity and to fuel opposition to legislation that Congress is crafting to slow climate change." ABEC has already spent $1.3 million on ad

Main Source: 
Washington Post, January 18, 2008

How BP Fueled "Emotional Affinity" for Gas

by Diane Farsetta — January 14, 2008 - 1:04pm

The energy company BP's rebranding as "Beyond Petroleum," led by WPP Group's Ogilvy & Mather, is reviewed by Adweek's Gregory Solman.

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Adweek, January 14, 2008

Hill & Knowlton's Maldives Role Still Generating Heat

by Bob Burton — January 10, 2008 - 4:49am

The role of the PR firm Hill & Knowlton (H&K) in polishing the image of the authoritarian government of the Maldives has become the centerpoint of a controversy between the former Foreign Minister, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, and the current Information Minister, Mohamed Nasheed.

Main Source: 
N.Velidhoo Community, December 30, 2007

Holy International Diplomacy, Batman!

by Diane Farsetta — January 9, 2008 - 4:30pm

Cartoon heroes are being "called upon to rescue the battered image of a very real-world institution -- the

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