Public Relations

Alexis Debat: One Well-Connected Faker

by Diane Farsetta — October 4, 2007 - 1:56pm

Over the past month, former ABC News consultant / reporter and self-described "terrorism analyst" Alexis Debat has been exposed for "having published fake interviews with Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Alan Greenspan,

Main Source: 
Mother Jones, October 2, 2007

... And All I Got Was This Green Rubber Wristband

by Diane Farsetta — October 3, 2007 - 3:19pm

Livestrong wristband (Source: Wikimedia Commons)"Having suffered a barrage of negative headlines while battling to shore up its finances and shrink its work force ...

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), October 3, 2007

My Own Private Idaho Poll

by Diane Farsetta — October 3, 2007 - 2:46pm

In Twin Falls, Idaho, an opponent of a proposed nuclear power plant is wondering who's polling local residents about nuclear energy. Last weekend, Peter Rickards was called by "a man who said he was conducting a survey about energy in Idaho. Most of the questions ... involved nuclear power and alluded to the Idaho Energy Complex, a controversial nuclear facility proposed by Virginia-based Alternate Energy Holdings" (AEH). Rickards "suspects AEH or its affiliates may have commissioned the survey to test the waters of public opinion as plans for the project move forward. ...

Main Source: 
The Times-News (Twin Falls, Idaho), October 2, 2007

Chevron Taps "Human Energy"

by Diane Farsetta — October 2, 2007 - 4:05pm

While ExxonMobil and BP have "spent lavishly on image ads," Chevron's new "power of human energy" campaign is a particularly ambitious "bid to recast itself as an environmentally responsible corporate citizen." Advertising Age reports that its first ad, a 2 1/2 minute spot from the ad agency McGa

Main Source: 
Washington Post, September 28, 2007

Something Fishy

by Bob Burton — October 2, 2007 - 7:44am
  • Topics: Activism, Cause-Related Marketing, Issue Management, Corporations, Environment, International, Public Relations

    • An abridged extract from Bob Burton's Inside Spin: The Dark Underbelly of the PR Industry.

    A hallmark tactic of activist campaigns in the 1960s and 1970s was the use of consumer boycotts to punish recalcitrant companies. By the 1990s, however, the trend was more towards developing standards and accrediting retail products that passed muster. The theory was that an accredited product would be rewarded by consumers while the laggards would be under financial pressure to lift their game. One of the pioneering projects during the 1990s was the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which was established by a broad coalition of non-profit groups. Its aim was to shift timber production to sources designated as more sustainable and reduce the market share for forest products derived from the destruction of the world's great forests. Despite numerous problems, the FSC label had some impact, especially in Europe.

    Four More Fines for Fake News: FCC Says VNRs Are "Valuable Consideration"

    by Diane Farsetta — October 1, 2007 - 7:53pm
  • Topics: Video News Releases, Corporations, Fake TV News, Marketing, Media, Public Relations, U.S. Government

    • The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced four more fines against Comcast, for its cable channel CN8 having aired multiple video news releases (VNRs) without disclosure. But the bigger story is the FCC's reasoning behind the fines.

    Playing Spin the Real ID

    by Diane Farsetta — September 27, 2007 - 5:27pm

    "As controversy rages over forthcoming federal Real ID requirements, state officials should be plotting public relations strategies to counteract the well-publicized rebellion," suggested speakers at the Government ID Technology Summit in Washington DC.

    Main Source: 
    CNET News.com, September 24, 2007

    Two U.S. States To Get "Balanced Energy" PR in their Stockings

    by Diane Farsetta — September 27, 2007 - 4:20pm

    The coal industry front group Americans for Balanced Energy Choices (ABEC) is seeking public relations help "in targeting the public, politicians, interest groups, and the media" on the national level, and also in Pennsylvania and Nevada. ABEC promotes coal as an "essential, affordable and increasingly clean" source of electricity.

    Main Source: 
    O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub req'd), September 26, 2007

    Follow the Money, Eh? Canadian Reporters' Glowing Failure

    by Bob Burton — September 26, 2007 - 1:35am
  • Topics: Journalism, Issue Management, Nuclear Power, Third Party Technique, Environment, Ethics, International, Media, Public Relations

    • "Much of the environmental movement, including Greenpeace, has lost its way when it comes to nuclear power, caught up in politically correct ideology and stooping to sensationalism to garner support," declared a recent media alert announcing the visit of one-time Greenpeace activist Patrick Moore to Toronto. The alert continued, "In Ontario, CANDU nuclear energy is the greatest single contributor to carbon reduction relative to all other energy producing technologies."

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