Health

Pediatricians With a Corporate Logo

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

"Some leading members of the American Academy of Pediatrics are expressing outrage that the group is allowing the maker of Similac infant formula to print its corporate logo on the cover of a special edition of the academy's book on breast-feeding," reports the New York Times. "The academy, whose members include 57,000 pediatricians and other pediatric specialists, has long recommended that most mothers breast-feed because of the myriad benefits over formula." Dr. Lawrence M.

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Main Source: 
New York Times, September 18, 2002
Topics: 
Health
Marketing

Coughing Up the Truth

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

A week after the 9/11 attacks, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Director Christie Whitman issued a news release claiming that air pollution caused by the collapse of the World Trade Towers was no big deal. "I am glad to reassure the people of New York and Washington, D.C. that their air is safe to breath and their water is safe to drink," she said.

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Main Source: 
Washington Post, September 16, 2002
Topics: 
Terrorism
Environment
Health
U.S. Government

CNN To Require Celebrities To Disclose Drug Company Ties

Submitted by Laura Miller on

"After learning that some celebrities who talked on its news programs about their health problems were being paid by drug companies, CNN has issued a new policy and will tell viewers about the stars' financial ties to corporations," New York Times' Melody Petersen writes. In an August 11 Times article, Petersen revealed the widespread testimonial practice. Petersen reports stars like Lauren Bacall and Kathleen Turner "had been paid to help promote drugs or other medical products" on network morning "news" programs.

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Main Source: 
New York Times, August 23, 2002
Topics: 
Third Party Technique
Ethics
Health
Marketing
Media

Tobacco Scams the Restaurant Industry

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

For years the tobacco industry has been using restaurant trade associations as front groups in its battle to keep Americans puffing. Now this strategy is documented on a new web site hosted by the University of California-San Franciso. "If Big Tobacco can't buy hospitality groups to serve as fronts, it sets up its own," the site states. Examples include the "California Business and Restaurant Alliance" and the ""Beverly Hills Restaurant Association" (created by a Tobacco Institute PR firm).

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Main Source: 
http://tobaccoscam.ucsf.edu/
Topics: 
Food Safety
Front Groups
Tobacco

Have A Coke And A Pedometer

Submitted by Laura Miller on

In an effort to "bring additional value to our educational partners," Coca-Cola is launching its "Step With It!" campaign. Coke will promote walking to middle school students in 10 cities. According to PR Week, the campaign will encourage students to walk 10,000 steps a day, giving students pedometers to keep track of their walking. Coke will also promote the campaign to local media.

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Main Source: 
PR Week, August 5, 2002
Topics: 
Food Safety
Education
Marketing

Making the World Safe for Obesity

Submitted by John Stauber on

PR giant Golin/Harris is bragging about its new "Global Obesity Task Force." The Task Force doesn't seek to fight childhood obesity, but to protect the interests and image of the multibillion dollar Obesity Industry. Their press release states: "With consumers becoming increasingly wary of American 'big business,' many companies find themselves under scrutiny. ... The increase in childhood obesity has special interest and government groups seeking to hold someone responsible.

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Main Source: 
Golin/Harris News Release, July 29, 2002
Topics: 
Food Safety
Crisis Management

Suing the Survivors

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

In 1997, the wife of Phillip Bonaffini died from an infection she contracted during cardiac surgery at Bridgeport Hospital. Another patient, Eunice Babcock, was left wheelchair-bound due to a staphylococcus infection that she contracted during surgery at the same hospital. The hospital settled the cases out of court by paying Bonaffini and Babcock an undisclosed sum in exchange for signed confidentiality agreements.

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Main Source: 
New York Times, July 27, 2002
Topics: 
Corporations
Ethics
Health

PhRMA Supports Seniors Who Support PhRMA

Submitted by Laura Miller on

PR giant Weber Shandwick (WS) is helping the United Senior Association (USA), a 1.5 million member organization, with its PR needs. USA is backing the prescription drug bill that was passed by the House on June 28. O'Dwyer's PR Daily reports, "That bill is backed by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), which has made 'educational grants' to USA. PhRMA supports the House measure because it bans the government from setting prices for prescription drugs. It is against a more expansive drug plan that is being introduced in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

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Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily, July 15, 2002
Topics: 
Front Groups
Issue Management
Health

TV Drug Pushers Include Media and Advertising Lobbyists

Submitted by John Stauber on

"Madison Avenue, facing growing legislative threats to one of the advertising industry's most lucrative categories, is stepping up the fight to protect its freedom to pitch prescription drugs directly to consumers. Drug companies, agencies and their media allies who have benefited handsomely from the flood of ads beat back one recent measure in the House of Representatives. ... The category of direct-to-consumer ads did not even exist until five years ago. Before 1997, broad curbs prevented pharmaceutical makers from mounting any significant

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Main Source: 
New York Times, July 12, 2002
Topics: 
Advertising
Ethics
Health

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