Public Relations

Lincoln Group: The Little Propaganda Shop that Could

by Diane Farsetta — March 13, 2006 - 2:44pm

The Lincoln Group, whose covert Iraq program was recently OK'd by the Pentagon, "is working to boost economic development in Pakistan." Lincoln is working with former U.S. diplomat Carol Fleming to increase "investments in the country's textile, energy, technology and telecom" industries.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub req'd), March 9, 2006

Wal-Mart's Blog Outreach-Turned-Ghostwriting

by Diane Farsetta — March 7, 2006 - 1:52pm

Wal-Mart "began working with bloggers in late 2005 'as part of our overall effort to tell our story,' said Mona Williams, a company spokeswoman." Heading the blogger outreach is Marshall Manson, of the PR firm

Main Source: 
New York Times, March 7, 2006

Pentagon OK's Propaganda for Iraq (and Possibly Elsewhere)

by Diane Farsetta — March 4, 2006 - 1:08pm

Declaring it "within our authorities and responsibilities," the top U.S. general in Iraq, George Casey, announced that the Lincoln Group program that covertly places stories written by U.S.

Main Source: 
Los Angeles Times, March 4, 2006

On Dubai Ports Deal, It's Clinton vs Clinton

by Diane Farsetta — March 3, 2006 - 12:00pm

U.S. House Armed Services Committee chair Duncan Hunter will introduce legislation "to prevent foreign companies from controlling facilities determined to be critical to U.S. national security." If passed, the bill would nix the Dubai Ports World deal to manage major U.S. ports.

Main Source: 
Los Angeles Times, March 3, 2006

Corporations Told Actions More Important than Words

by Bob Burton — March 3, 2006 - 4:04am

Australian social researcher Hugh Mackay has little time for companies that try to use corporate social responsibility as a PR and marketing tool. "Nothing diminishes virtue like trying to draw other people’s attention to it. You’re a good corporate citizen? Get on with it, then, don’t brag about it," he said in a speech launching a fundraising campaign for a non-profit disability group.

Main Source: 
Ethical Investor, March 2, 2006

Wal-Mart Front Group's New Front Man

by Diane Farsetta — March 2, 2006 - 12:30pm

"Black History Month 2006 ended on a jarring note," writes Bruce Dixon. "Andrew Young, a former member of Dr. King's inner circle ... who went on to serve three terms in Congress, a stint as UN ambassador and two terms as mayor of Atlanta ...

Main Source: 
The Black Commentator, March 2, 2006

Old-Style Repression under 'New Maldives' Makeover

by Bob Burton — February 27, 2006 - 2:51pm

A Maldives news service criticizes the 'New Maldives' project launched by President Gayoom in October 2005 as "nothing more than an image make-over for an unpopular and authoritarian regime." The editorial notes that the opposition political party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has highlighted contradictions between the government's words and actions, including "government rhetoric over judicial reform while MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) is refused a fair trial" and "assertions over press freedom, while the Police Chief harasses foreign-based journalists." For several years,

Main Source: 
Minivan News (Maldives), February 22, 2006

Finding a Chemical Harmless, For a Fee

by Bob Burton — February 23, 2006 - 3:58am

In a April 2003 pitch to DuPont, The Weinberg Group proposed a strategy to help defuse the growing controversy over the health impacts of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a compound used to make Teflon.

Main Source: 
Environmental Science and Technology, February 22, 2006

Oil for Food, Lobbyists, and Corporate Profits

by Bob Burton — February 23, 2006 - 1:55am

Prior to the October 2005 release of Paul Volcker's report on violations of the United Nations' Iraq oil-for-food program, the Australian wheat exporter AWB Limited hired the Washington DC lobbying firm The Cohen Group, which is headed by former U.S. defense secretary William S. Cohen.

Main Source: 
Sydney Morning Herald, February 22 2006
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