Issue Management

We Know What You Did Online Last Summer

Wikipedia Self-described "disruptive technologist" Virgil Griffith lists as his top aim in developing WikiScanner: "To create a fireworks display of public relations disasters in which everyone brings their own fireworks, and enjoys."

Here at the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), we see WikiScanner as a great way to better understand how public relations firms and other "perception managers" are subverting online discussions and social media. And what better website to track this on than Wikipedia, the world's most popular wiki, or collaboratively edited website?

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Was Wikipedia Spinning Part of H&K's Maldives Work?

Submitted by Diane Farsetta on August 31, 2007 - 2:03pm

The Center for Media and Democracy has previously reported on the PR firm Hill & Knowlton's work for the oppressive regime of the president of the Maldives, Maumoon Gayoom.

Main Source:

Wikipedia / WikipediaScanner

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University of California Praises Hill & Knowlton

Submitted by Bob Burton on 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

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Big-Spending Drug Industry Defenders

Submitted by Bob Burton on August 20, 2007 - 3:32am

The lead U.S. drug industry lobby group, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), spent $10.7 million in the first six months of 2007 lobbying the U.S. government.

Main Source:

Associated Press, August 17, 2007

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Spinning Wikipedia

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on August 16, 2007 - 9:27pm

"Editing your own entry on Wikipedia is usually the province of vain celebrities keen for some good PR," writes Bobbie Johnson. "But a new website has uncovered dozens of companies that have been editing the site in order to improve their public image.

Main Source:

The Guardian (UK), August 15, 2007

Topics:

Internet

Issue Management

Secrecy

McDonald's Advised to Fight or Fess Up

Submitted by Bob Burton on August 13, 2007 - 4:47am

McDonald's Golden Arches McDonald's has been criticized by PR professionals for its response to the recent study by Stanford University School of Medicine and the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital which found that young children preferred foods associated with the company's packaging.

Main Source:

Advertising Age, August 13, 2007

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Corporate Social Responsibility

Third Party Technique

Gazprom Hires Omnicom Agencies

Submitted by Bob Burton on August 2, 2007 - 9:45pm

Gazprom pipeline Gazprom, the Russian gas company that supplies approximately one-quarter of Europe's gas needs, has hired the PR firms Gavin Anderson, Ketchum and GPlus to handle "all financial and

Main Source:

PR Week, August 1, 2007

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Military Takes Aim at U.S. Propaganda Ban

Submitted by Bob Burton on July 31, 2007 - 5:36am

In preparing its marketing study commissioned by the U.S. military, the RAND Corporation sought the advice of PR advisers including Burson-Marsteller, Weber Shandwick, J.D.

Main Source:

PR Week, July 30, 2007

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Solid Spoof

Submitted by Bob Burton on July 30, 2007 - 1:06am

Solid Energy protest: Source: Happy Valley Coalition The New Zealand Government-owned coal mining company, Solid Energy, has had only a limited win with the legal action it launched over a spoof corporate social responsibility