Public Relations

Big Box Buys Buddies

"Stung by criticism of its labor practices, expansion plans and other business tactics," Wal-Mart "has become a sponsor on National Public Radio," underwritten the "Tavis Smiley" talk show, and "plans to award $500,000 in scholarships to minority students at journalism programs around the country." A Wal-Mart spokeswoman said there's "no hidden agenda," but "we've really been in the spotlight and I think t

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Poison Ivy On Display

The seminal PR work of Ivy Lee, sometimes called "the real father of modern PR," is currently on display in the Transit Museum in Grand Central Station in New York City. In 1908, Lee became the first publicity director for Pennsylvania Railroad, developing campaigns to influence public opinion in support of the railroad's lobbying efforts. Lee gain notoriety when he was hired by John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

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The Presidential Race Card

"A Washington nonprofit group with ties to the Republican Party is airing radio ads ... asking if U.S. Senator John Kerry takes 'the black community for granted?'" The group, People of Color United, was founded last week by DC Parents For School Choice, which supports school vouchers.

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PR Firm Needs Good PR

As if it hadn't gotten enough bad press lately, PR firm Fleishman-Hillard "is taking a media hit for its failed campaign on behalf of Enterprise Rent-A-Car to defeat a ... car rental tax to help pay for ... a $250 million arena in downtown Kansas City." A mayoral aide suggested the firm "stay out of issue campaigning ...

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When Vets Attack

"A group of Vietnam veterans has bought television time in three swing states for an advertisement that attacks Senator John Kerry, accusing him of lying about his war record, including the circumstances surrounding his medals, and betraying his comrades by later opposing the war." The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth is a

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Playing Good Flack, Bad Flack

"On the eve of the Democratic National Convention ... well-dressed politicians, corporate executives and their friends watched [fireworks] from a private party at a waterfront restaurant. ... Rick Rendon [was] the man in charge of the party," writes Pratap Chatterjee.

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Angry Arabs

Two new opinion polls show that Arab anger at the United States has deepened - "to such an extent that in Egypt - an important ally in the region - nearly 100 percent of the population now holds an unfavorable opinion of the country," reports the Washington Post's Dafna Linzer. The polls were conducted by Zogby International, which did similar polling two years ago.

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