Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
"Jonathan L. Snare has been named to head the Occupational Safety and Health Administration," writes Molly Ivins. "He used to be the lobbyist for Metabolife, the ephedra diet pill that attracted so much unpleasant attention. Ephedrine was finally barred in 2003 after the Food and Drug Administration decided it had caused 155 deaths.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
For years, marketers have known that "sociable, influential early adopters," or connectors, can drive sales. In California this month, "100 of Silicon Valley's top venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, lawyers, bloggers and promoters will begin receiving cool new stuff for free. ... These movers and shakers promise to sample the products and offer feedback to their manufacturers.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
The Edelman PR firm's annual eight country survey found that "pressure groups and charities have overtaken governments, media and big businesses to become the world's most trusted institutions." The trend was most pronounced in the United States, where trust in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) climbed 20 percent since 2001.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
"Talk about free advertising," exclaimed Forbes. "Cadillac's first 'customer' for its redesigned, 2006 DTS will be President George W. Bush, who will ride in a black limousine version of the new car during his inaugural parade on January 20." Deville marketing manager Keith Spondike said that Bush's use of the DTS will reinforce Cadillac's image of "appealing to and transporting high-profile people."
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
"For the first time in its 43 years, a Wal-Mart CEO is publicly responding to detractors." The giant retailer launched a national PR blitz, including interviews with its CEO, an open-letter ad in more than 100 newspapers, and a new website, walmartfacts.com, that promises the "unfiltered truth." CEO Lee Scott said that criticisms o
Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on
Despite the bankrupty of his company, former Enron CEO Ken Lay apparently still has some money to spend on spin. "The former chairman's computer-literate litigation team is making use of 'sponsored links,' which appear prominently in searches for a word or name in an Internet search engine," reports Mary Flood.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
An American Prospect article on Rick Berman of the front group Center for Consumer Freedom notes, "Berman's strategy turns on a simple rhetorical gimmick: By employing the language of consumer freedom, he protects his client industries by demonizing (and, hopefully, discrediting) their critics." Berman "stands out, if only for the sheer, unparalleled audacity with which he's straddled his dual roles as consumer 'advocate' and
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
"Like Big Tobacco, Coca-Cola has the right to push their product. Like Big Tobacco, Coca-Cola knows of the health risks of their product, yet prefer silence to safeguarding children," writes John Borowski. After publishing an earlier article, Borowski was contacted by Coca-Cola's principal manager of scientific and regulatory affairs, who suggested the piece "misinformed" readers.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
"McDonald's had a great story to tell, and we weren't telling it," said Mike Donahue, McDonald's U.S. communications head. In 2002, Donahue "held a summit of the 125 PR firms that work with McDonald's and its various owner-operators," encouraging them to promote company-financed studies on the chain's positive economic impact.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
The Worldwatch Institute has attracted attention for publishing a highly critical article on the World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International and the Nature Conservancy, in its magazine, World Watch.
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