ITT Thirsts for Good Press

The major military contractor ITT Corporation has hired the PR firm Edelman, to promote the company "in the defense and commercial markets, as well as raise awareness of its ongoing CSR," or corporate social responsibility, efforts. The company especially wants to highlight ITT Watermark, a "corporate philanthropy program that works to provide safe water around the world." The PR firm Cone -- which offers services in "brand marketing, corporate responsibility, crisis management and prevention" -- helped develop the ITT Watermark program. Edelman's Russell Dubner said his firm will promote ITT with "a mixture of influencer engagement, thought leadership, and good-old fashioned media outreach." ITT is the "world's largest supplier of pumps and systems to transport, treat and control water and other fluids," according to its website. In 2007, 39% of ITT's revenues came from its fluid technology business, and 46% from its military electronics and services business.