Public Relations

Wikis Prove Tricky for PR Firms

by Diane Farsetta — September 4, 2007 - 5:15pm

Thanks to WikiScanner, more PR firms are coming under fire for making anonymous edits to Wikipedia that favored their clients. "Freud Communications' London office was caught making edits" on articles about Pizza Hut and Carphone Warehouse, reports PR Week.

Main Source: 
PR Week, August 31, 2007

Penn Ducks Disclosure

by Bob Burton — September 3, 2007 - 5:17am

Mark Penn, the CEO of the PR firm Burson-Marsteller, was tight-lipped when asked about his role as "chief strategist" for Hillary Clinton's campaign to be the Democratic Party nominee for president.

Main Source: 
New York Times, September 2, 2007

Bush's Surgeon General of Industry-Friendly Spin

by Diane Farsetta — August 31, 2007 - 11:02am

"White House officials viewed former surgeon general Richard H. Carmona as a public relations tool, pushing him to make political appearances and promote the Bush administration's agenda while he was in office, according to a series of executive branch e-mails released yesterday by Sen.

Main Source: 
Washington Post, August 31, 2007

"Inside Spin" as Media Self-Defense

by Diane Farsetta — August 29, 2007 - 9:52am

In a review of SourceWatch editor Bob Burton's new book, "Inside Spin: The Dark Underbelly of the PR Industry," New Zealand investigative journalist Nicky Hager writes that "its hair-raising stories help us see what is reasonable and what is harmful and unethical

Main Source: 
Sunday Star Times (New Zealand), August 26, 2007

University of California Praises Hill & Knowlton

by Bob Burton — August 28, 2007 - 3:59pm

The University of California (UC) has dismissed objections by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union to UC management's hiring of Hill & Knowlton to spin its labor record. UC's Executive Director of Systemwide Labor Relations, Howard J.

Main Source: 
University of California letter (PDF), August 20, 2007

The Other Half of the Nuclear Industry's Power Couple: Christine Todd Whitman

by Diane Farsetta — August 27, 2007 - 9:37am
  • Topics: Front Groups, Nuclear Power, Corporations, Fake TV News, Health, Lobbying, Public Relations

    • "Was it wrong to try to get the city back on its feet as quickly as possible?" an exasperated Christine Todd Whitman asked members of Congress. The occasion was Whitman's first appearance before the House subcommittee investigating her handling of New York air quality issues post-9/11, when she headed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

    Republican Lobby Firm BGR Undercuts Iraqi Leader al-Maliki

    by Diane Farsetta — August 23, 2007 - 2:40pm

    "Republican lobbyists with close ties to the Bush administration are aiding and supporting the efforts of an Iraqi opposition leader who is calling for the ouster of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki," reports IraqSlogger.

    Main Source: 
    IraqSlogger, August 23, 2007

    Hill & Knowlton's 50 Year Fudge

    by Bob Burton — August 20, 2007 - 10:25pm
  • Topics: Corporations, Health, Labor, Public Relations, Tobacco

    • Some PR executives take citizens for complete idiots.

    Almost three weeks ago a local branch of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union (AFSCME) called on the University of California to dump the giant PR firm Hill & Knowlton (H&K). In a letter to the university, AFSCME and other groups pointed to H&K's work for the tobacco industry, its attack on research pointing to the impact of exposure to lead on children, and its work for "some of the worst human rights abusing states in the world." In a statement emailed to the trade publication PR Week, H&K's Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Thorne claimed that the union's criticism "is directed to work done more than 50 years ago. While we disagree that H&K ever was engaged in any improper conduct, our current firm policy is that we will not provide services in any way related to tobacco, anywhere in the world."

    When Drug Industry Flacks Attack

    by Diane Farsetta — August 17, 2007 - 2:49pm

    Following Dr. Steven Nissen's publication of a study warning that "GlaxoSmithKline's diabetes drug Avandia increased the risk of heart attacks by 43% and death from cardiovascular events by possibly 64%," he was publicly pilloried. "More than one story from ostensibly different sources" derisively referred to him as "St Steven," the "Patron Saint of Drug Safety," and "Saint Steven the Pure," reports Evelyn Pringle. Among the attackers was FDA spokesman Douglas Arbesfeld.

    Main Source: 
    CounterPunch, August 15, 2007

    Edelman Reps Diebold's Not-So-Amicable Split

    by Diane Farsetta — August 17, 2007 - 1:57pm

    The PR firm Edelman "is handling the recasting of Diebold Election Systems to Premier Election Solutions," following the parent company's failure to sell its e-voting subsidiary.

    Main Source: 
    O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub req'd), August 17, 2007
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