communications

In the news today from Russian media giant Pravda, it is interesting to note that somehow people there have a better idea of what is going on than most Americans. With the US debt spiraling at over $14 trillion, the certain pressure BP's oil spill will have on the economy, and "tried and true" methods of past administrations, Russian logic seems to apply. In an article entitled "Another War Will Be Required to Burn $13 Trillion of USA’s National Debt, " Pravda big business journalist Ekaterina Yevstigneyeva makes some valid points on where US policy might be headed. It is... Read More >

For people around the world, the BP (formerly British Petroleum) brand is today synonymous with dirt and the death of the Gulf of Mexico. In May, BP enlisted the PR giant Brunswick Group as its PR agency of record. This was supposed to help BP handle the onslaught of media attention and to handle BP’s PR strategies. But since May 10 when this was first announced, BP's public image worsened every day, particularly because no one taught BP boss Tony Hayward how and when to talk. The BP boss contributed a great deal to the company's worsening public image, through... Read More >

Still more recalls hit the news as McDonald's pulls cadmium contaminated Shrek glasses from the market. The promotional glasses sold at the world's largest fast food chain to promote the animated film "Shrek Forever After," were found to have cadmium at levels higher than allowed by the CPSC. McDonald's voluntarily pulls some 12 million in collaboration with the CPSC. According to the news, the paint in the Shrek glasses contained trace amounts of cadmium, which if ingested, over time could cause serious health side effects for children. The 16-ounce glasses, being sold for about $2 each are the latest in... Read More >

If you look inside your Pampers diaper pail, and a stink wafts into your face, it may be Procter & Gamble PR poop. Either Procter & Gamble is trying to turn the Internet into a soap opera, or their PR sniffed too many chemicals. Procter & Gamble is a company with a strong reputation, a company trusted by millions. The bad news for their brand came when they betrayed this trust of many, then tried to cover up their actions using some of the dirtiest PR tricks in the book. The story of the dirty Pampers diapers is no longer... Read More >

One of the most significant topics to hit the financial news recently is the SEC’s suit against Goldman Sachs. The issues involved are far from clear, but the basic story is a conflict of interest that was never transparently communicated to investors. A more detailed explanation begins in 2004 and the years of excess that preceded the credit crisis. During that time, Goldman Sachs profited handsomely by originating CDOs—packages of investments that included sub-prime mortgages, currency trading, corporate bonds, and much more. As everyone knows, these investments turned out to be practically worthless and anyone who bought the mortgage backed... Read More >

Four women, mommy bloggers, are now involved in one of the worse PR blunders of all times. Renee Bigner, Kate Marsh Lord, Tiffany Snedaker, and Stephanie Manner Wagner responded positively to Procter & Gamble's call, attending a meeting where various Dry Max defenders persuaded them that the product was completely safe, and was, by no means, a reason for rashes. The bloggers received product samples as compensation for their presence in the meeting. Also, all their trip expenses have been paid. One of these bloggers, Kate Marsh Lord, whose baby developed a severe rash wearing a Dry Max diaper, left... Read More >

We told you earlier this month that PR giant Brunswick Group will handle British Petroleum’s PR strategies in the months to come. What we didn't give you at the time is the true meaning of this marriage made in heaven. British Petroleum has never accepted responsibility for the accident that is practically killing the Gulf. "This wasn't our accident. This was a drilling rig operated by another company [TransOcean]. It was their people. Their systems. Their processes. We are responsible not for the accident, but we are responsible for the oil, and for dealing with it and cleaning the situation... Read More >

Every time someone from BP opened their mouth to talk about the oil leak problems in the Gulf of Mexico, they only caused damage to the BP brand. The unseen, and unforeseen effects on BP's future (and not only) can be summarized in President Obama's words: "For too long, for a decade or more, there's been a cozy relationship between the oil companies and the federal agency that permits them to drill," Obama said, referring to the Minerals Management Service. "It seems as if permits were too often issued based on little more than assurances of safety from the oil... Read More >

Procter & Gamble's Pampers bite the hand that feeds them. In an effort to combat a class action suit against Pampers, the company called its customers liars, and denied all responsibility that the Dry Max product could cause rashes. Before I go on, let me briefly tell you about my experience with Pampers. About nineteen months ago I gave birth to a wonderful little boy. Like any parent, I bought for him what I thought it was the best on the market: Pampers diapers (not with Dry Max), Weleda skincare products, organic clothes, and so on. Everything fine, except the... Read More >

When life gives you lemons, go to Las Vegas. That's what Donald Trump is doing with his Miss USA pageant, which takes place this week. And it looks like Donald is running the Vegas theme all the way through, with all 51 contestants posing for their official pageant photos in racy lingerie, reports NBC. Taken by fashion photographer Fadil Berisha, the black-and-white photos look stunning. But are they too provocative for the Miss USA pageant? With the motif "Waking Up in Vegas" this year's photos feature barely-clad contestants, all looking quite sexy in the kind of spread you'd normally find... Read More >