PR's Concert for Bangladesh

Not all of Wal-Mart's overseas factories are in China. The government of Bangladesh recently signed a six-month, $330,000 contract with Ketchum's The Washington Group, to "open doors at the senior levels of major U.S. corporations such as Bechtel, General Electric, Lockheed Martin and Wal-Mart to interest them in projects of importance to the People's Republic of Bangladesh." Former U.S. Congresswoman Susan Molinari, who heads the account, said her goal is to "dispel misconceptions about alleged human rights abuses, corrupt government practices and Islamist militancy." In addition to business relations, Ketchum will work to promote military-to-military collaboration, debt relief and a U.S. visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The firm is hoping that Zia will address a joint session of Congress, "a rare honor, which in turn would stimulate high visibility media opportunities."