Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
Michael Isikoff and Mark Hosenball report that the Justice Department's investigation into Qorvis Communications involves the Alliance for Peace and Justice, "a hastily arranged and now dormant group ...
Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on
"Four years ago, Tom Dugan’s company did some work for Peet’s Coffee & Tea by covertly plugging a Peet’s promotion online," writes Deborah Branscum. "He’d love to share the names of more recent clients, but none of them, he says, want to speak on the record." Stealth marketing is growing both online and offline to promote products ranging from martinis to cell phones to TV programs. According to Shawn Prez of the marketing agency Power Moves, stealth techniques are especially effective with teens.
Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on
"If a professor takes money from a company and then argues in the media for a position the company favors, is he an independent expert - or a paid shill?" asks Michael Schroeder. He cites examples such as Peter Morici, a business professor at the University of Maryland, who was paid by the the U.S. steel company Nucor Corp. to argue in favor of steel tariffs put in place by the Bush administration.
Submitted by Laura Miller on
"When Jon Stewart 'busted' Spin Alley [the post-debate media feeding frenzy where campaign officials talk up their candidates for journalists] for in his famous confrontation with the Crossfire people (the most downloaded video clip ever, at the time) he was hitting on a practice that had grown more and more disreputable. As a designated spot for the practice of spin, the Alley only fell from legitimacy when an alternative practice rose up and called out to conscience of the press.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
The FBI searched three offices of the PR firm Qorvis Communications and delivered subpoenas to a fourth office.
Submitted by Laura Miller on
Qorvis Communications received $7.3 million from Saudi Arabia during the six-month period ended Sept. 30 for promoting the Kingdom's "commitment to the war against terrorism and peace in the Middle East," O'Dwyer's PR Daily reports.
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 Anonymous on
Hill & Knowlton is hustling for Procter & Gamble's new - but as yet unapproved - testosterone patch for women with claims that it can boost sexual activity by 74 percent, Ray Moynihan reports in the British Medical Journal. The claims - unsupported by peer reviewed data - are disputed by experts.
Submitted by Laura Miller on
A new reality show in Israel promises the winner a year's contract at a PR agency in New York where he or she will be responsible for promoting Israel to Americans, the Guardian reports. The show, called The Ambassador, has 14 contestants carrying out a variety of diplomatic tasks. "The winner will be the person who best demonstrates the qualities of a professional advocate and presents Israel in the most positive light," the Guardian writes.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
Chris LaCivita, formerly a paid political consultant for the anti-Kerry 527 group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, said the group "is pondering its next step" but "will remain a potent force." LaCavita told The Hill that "one possibility is that the Swiftvets will become a full-time
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