Duck and Cover II: Washington DC's Expensive Sequel

The giant PR firm Burson-Marsteller won a $4.6 million contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, for two to seven months' work. The contract, awarded under the Urban Area Security Initiative, is "for the development and implementation of a regional public awareness and education campaign for a major emergency or disaster, such as a terrorist act," in the Washington DC area. The goal "is to have 50% of people in the national capital area report that they've taken steps to be prepared." Burson-Marsteller will do PR and outreach, and "partner with ad and community-outreach agencies." One-third to one-half of the budget is slated for advertising.