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| B-M has performed "lucrative work" for [[:Unilever]], [[:AstraZeneca]], and [[:GlaxoSmithKline]] -- which perform animal testing -- according to the Daily Mail.[26] | B-M has performed "lucrative work" for [[:Unilever]], [[:AstraZeneca]], and [[:GlaxoSmithKline]] -- which perform animal testing -- according to the Daily Mail.[26] |
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| 2010: Representation of "Suicide Factory" Foxconn | 2010: Representation of "**Suicide Factor**y" Foxconn |
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| In 2010, "after nine separate incidents involving workers leaping to their deaths as a result of overly strenuous working conditions," Chinese megafactory and outsourced producer of [[:Apple]] products Foxconn was labeled "the suicide factory." So, facing an "international PR nightmare," the company hired Burson-Marsteller. [[:Mark Penn]] told Ad Age that "there are certain outreaches we have assisted them with" -- including "an all-access Bloomberg Businessweek cover story in mid-September. In the article, which included interviews with employees about working conditions, Mr. Gou discussed his company, his personal life and the suicides. He admitted that it wasn't until the fifth one that he decided to do something different. (And it wasn't until after the ninth suicide that the company sought the help of a PR agency adept at handling a crisis.)"[27] | In 2010, "after nine separate incidents involving workers leaping to their deaths as a result of overly strenuous working conditions," Chinese megafactory and outsourced producer of [[:Apple]] products Foxconn was labeled "the suicide factory." So, facing an "international PR nightmare," the company hired Burson-Marsteller. [[:Mark Penn]] told Ad Age that "there are certain outreaches we have assisted them with" -- including "an all-access Bloomberg Businessweek cover story in mid-September. In the article, which included interviews with employees about working conditions, Mr. Gou discussed his company, his personal life and the suicides. He admitted that it wasn't until the fifth one that he decided to do something different. (And it wasn't until after the ninth suicide that the company sought the help of a PR agency adept at handling a crisis.)"[27] |
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| **2008:** Pushing Ethanol | === 2008 Pushing Ethanol === |
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| Burson-Marsteller's [[:Neil Grace]] works with [[:Monsanto]], [[:Dupont]], [[:Archer Daniels Midland]] pushing their front group the [[:Alliance for Abundant Food and Energy]], announced July 24, 2008. The Washington Post reports, "A group of the world's biggest agribusiness companies announced it will use lobbyists on Capitol Hill and national ads to build the case for fuels such as **ethanol and biodiesel**, even as grain prices climb worldwide. The biofuels industry has blossomed under federal mandates requiring the United States to increase alternative fuel usage by 2009. The mandates are under attack from groups who blame the new industry for rising food prices that have sparked riots and hoarding in several countries. ... The alliance has a budget of several million dollars for the campaign, but it did not disclose the exact amount."[29] | Burson-Marsteller's [[:Neil Grace]] works with [[:Monsanto]], [[:Dupont]], [[:Archer Daniels Midland]] pushing their front group the [[:Alliance for Abundant Food and Energy]], announced July 24, 2008. The Washington Post reports, "A group of the world's biggest agribusiness companies announced it will use lobbyists on Capitol Hill and national ads to build the case for fuels such as **ethanol and biodiesel**, even as grain prices climb worldwide. The **biofuels industry** has blossomed under federal mandates requiring the United States to increase alternative fuel usage by 2009. The mandates are under attack from groups who blame the new industry for rising food prices that have sparked riots and hoarding in several countries. ... The alliance has a budget of several million dollars for the campaign, but it did not disclose the exact amount."[29] |
| U.S. Government PR Contracts | U.S. Government PR Contracts |
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| **2008: Nuclear Industry** | === 2008: Nuclear Industry === |
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| In February 2008, the nuclear company Exelon paid Burson-Marsteller $230,627.05, coded as "public affairs." Exelon said the work involved the Exelon-funded pro-nuclear group [[:New Jersey Affordable, Clean, Reliable Energy Coalition]] (NJ ACRE) and strengthening local support for "the renewal of the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant's operating license." The payments covered Burson-Marsteller's work between June and November 2007, which included carrying out a poll and setting up "speaking engagements and events for [[:Patrick Moore]]."[34] | In February 2008, the nuclear company Exelon paid Burson-Marsteller $230,627.05, coded as "public affairs." Exelon said the work involved the Exelon-funded pro-nuclear group [[:New Jersey Affordable, Clean, Reliable Energy Coalition]] (NJ ACRE) and strengthening local support for "the renewal of the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant's operating license." The payments covered Burson-Marsteller's work between June and November 2007, which included carrying out a poll and setting up "speaking engagements and events for [[:Patrick Moore]]."[34] |
| B-M has worked for the nuclear company Entergy for several years. "In April 2002, Entergy's communications director told O'Dwyer's PR Daily that the firm had been hired "mainly for the Indian Point issues" -- the security and environmental concerns raised by the company's Indian Point nuclear power plant, located outside New York City -- "but its work now includes handling the overall image of the company." In 2003, Entergy created the "Coalition Against Shutting Down Vermont's Electricity Options" and spent $200,000 to oppose a citizen campaign to close the company's Vermont Yankee nuclear plant in | B-M has worked for the nuclear company Entergy for several years. "In April 2002, Entergy's communications director told O'Dwyer's PR Daily that the firm had been hired "mainly for the Indian Point issues" -- the security and environmental concerns raised by the company's Indian Point nuclear power plant, located outside New York City -- "but its work now includes handling the overall image of the company." In 2003, Entergy created the "Coalition Against Shutting Down Vermont's Electricity Options" and spent $200,000 to oppose a citizen campaign to close the company's Vermont Yankee nuclear plant in |
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| 2012."[35] | |
| 2007: Conflict of Interest: [[:Mark Penn]], [[:Hillary Clinton]], and Colombia | 2007: Conflict of Interest: [[:Mark Penn]], [[:Hillary Clinton]], and Colombia |
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| The Wall Street Journal first reported on April 4, 2008, that Penn "met with Colombia's ambassador to the U.S. on Monday to discuss a bilateral free-trade agreement, a pact the presidential candidate (Clinton) opposes." Burson-Marsteller "has a contract with the South American nation to promote congressional approval of the trade deal."[37] The New York Times later noted that Penn apologized for his conflict of loyalty, saying "the meeting was an error in judgment."[38] | The Wall Street Journal first reported on April 4, 2008, that Penn "met with Colombia's ambassador to the U.S. on Monday to discuss a bilateral free-trade agreement, a pact the presidential candidate (Clinton) opposes." Burson-Marsteller "has a contract with the South American nation to promote congressional approval of the trade deal."[37] The New York Times later noted that Penn apologized for his conflict of loyalty, saying "the meeting was an error in judgment."[38] |
| 2007: Blackwater USA | 2007: [[:Blackwater]] USA |
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| | As pointed out by Rachel Maddow on her August 2, 2012 show, "when [[:Blackwater]] killed those 17 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad, they called Burson-Marsteller."[3] B-M was hired by the two firms representing PMC Blackwater USA, McDermott Will & Emery and Crowell & Moring -- to help with the account in 2007.[39] |
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| | According to PRWeek, Burson subsidiary [[:BKSH & Associates]] was hired through an internal connection at [[:Blackwater]] to help with Erik Prince's October 2, 2007 testimony to Congress -- this "temporary engagement has ended," according to the article.[40] |
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| As pointed out by Rachel Maddow on her August 2, 2012 show, "when Blackwater killed those 17 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad, they called Burson-Marsteller."[3] B-M was hired by the two firms representing PMC Blackwater USA, McDermott Will & Emery and Crowell & Moring -- to help with the account in 2007.[39] | |
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| According to PRWeek, Burson subsidiary BKSH & Associates was hired through an internal connection at Blackwater to help with Erik Prince's October 2, 2007 testimony to Congress -- this "temporary engagement has ended," according to the article.[40] | === 2006: Fake News === |
| 2006: Fake News | |
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| In July 2006, Burson-Marsteller announced a new partnership with the broadcast PR firm The NewsMarket, which produces video news releases and b-roll footage for clients. | In July 2006, Burson-Marsteller announced a new partnership with the broadcast PR firm The NewsMarket, which produces video news releases and b-roll footage for clients. |
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| 2005: Burson and Bush Men | === 2005: Burson and Bush Men === |
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| In** April 2005**, Jack O'Dwyer's Newsletter reported that Burson-Marsteller had joined with [[:Quinn Gillespie & Associates]] to launch [[:360 Advantage]], a public affairs shop filled with "key players in [[:George W. Bush]]'s successful presidential campaigns." | In** April 2005**, Jack O'Dwyer's Newsletter reported that Burson-Marsteller had joined with [[:Quinn Gillespie & Associates]] to launch [[:360 Advantage]], a public affairs shop filled with "key players in [[:George W. Bush]]'s successful presidential campaigns." |
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| **2004: European Women for Front Groups** | === 2004: European Women for Front Groups === |
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| In January 2004, the Observer (UK) reported that European Women for [[:HPV Testing]] was a front group being run by B-M campaign for the US biotechnology company Digene. The Observer reported that some of the celebrities cited as endorsing the campaign on the groups website were not aware of the links of the group with Digene.[44] | In January 2004, the Observer (UK) reported that European Women for [[:HPV Testing]] was a front group being run by B-M campaign for the US biotechnology company Digene. The Observer reported that some of the celebrities cited as endorsing the campaign on the groups website were not aware of the links of the group with Digene.[44] |
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| 2003: Crisis Management for USPS after [[:Anthrax]] Scare | === 2003: Crisis Management for USPS after [[:Anthrax]] Scare === |
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| In 2003, the [[:Public Relations Society of America]] awarded B-M as a co-winner for a campaign it ran for the U.S. Postal Service. According to the PRSA media release, "the campaign helped restore public trust and confidence during and after the anthrax crisis almost two years ago. As a result of these efforts, a public opinion poll taken in December 2001 reflected positive ratings for the Postal Service for its overall handling of the crisis. In fact, a year later, mail volumes were running at pre-crisis levels of 700 million pieces a day."[47] | In 2003, the [[:Public Relations Society of America]] awarded B-M as a co-winner for a campaign it ran for the U.S. Postal Service. According to the PRSA media release, "the campaign helped restore public trust and confidence during and after the anthrax crisis almost two years ago. As a result of these efforts, a public opinion poll taken in December 2001 reflected positive ratings for the Postal Service for its overall handling of the crisis. In fact, a year later, mail volumes were running at pre-crisis levels of 700 million pieces a day."[47] |
| === Burson Marsteller, the Tobacco Industry, and Campaigns on Secondhand Smoke === | === Burson Marsteller, the Tobacco Industry, and Campaigns on Secondhand Smoke === |
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| Burson-Marsteller (B-M) has had a close relationship with cigarette maker [[:Philip Morris]] (PM), having organized the smokers' rights group the [[:National Smokers Alliance]] (NSA) for PM in the early 1990s. The purpose of the group was to mobilize smokers on behalf of the tobacco industry to protest clean indoor air laws, increased cigarette taxes and other legislated efforts that would affect cigarette consumption. The smoke-free advocacy organization [[:Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights]] compiled a report exposing NSA's links to Philip Morris and showing that Philip Morris funded the [[:NSA]] with $4 million in seed money.[48][49] PM was not the only tobacco company that helped support the NSA. In 1997, [[:Brown & Williamson]] donated $500,000 in support of NSA.[50] | Burson-Marsteller (B-M) has had a close relationship with cigarette maker [[:Philip Morris]] (PM), having organized the smokers' rights group the [[:National Smokers Alliance]] (NSA) for PM in the early 1990s. The purpose of the group was to mobilize smokers on behalf of the tobacco industry to protest clean indoor air laws, increased cigarette taxes and other legislated efforts that would affect cigarette consumption. The smoke-free advocacy organization [[:Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights]] compiled a report exposing NSA's links to [[:Philip Morris]] and showing that Philip Morris funded the [[:NSA]] with $4 million in seed money.[48][49] PM was not the only tobacco company that helped support the NSA. In 1997, [[:Brown & Williamson]] donated $500,000 in support of NSA.[50] |
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| After the U.S. [[:Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) ruled in 1993 that secondhand tobacco smoke should be ranked as a Group A Human Carcinogen (the same rating EPA gives to [[:asbestos]], [[:radon gas]] and [[:vinyl chloride]]), Thomas Humber of Burson-Marsteller wrote a memo to Ellen Merlo, Senior Vice President of Philip Morris Corporate Affairs, urging PM to put into action list of strategies to **fight public health authorities on the issue of environmental tobacco smoke** (ETS). | After the U.S. [[:Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) ruled in 1993 that secondhand tobacco smoke should be ranked as a Group A Human Carcinogen (the same rating EPA gives to [[:asbestos]], [[:radon gas]] and [[:vinyl chloride]]), Thomas Humber of Burson-Marsteller wrote a memo to Ellen Merlo, Senior Vice President of Philip Morris Corporate Affairs, urging PM to put into action list of strategies to **fight public health authorities on the issue of environmental tobacco smoke** (ETS). |
| Humber's memo also reveals his awareness of the risk of potential lawsuits against PM from exposure of employees to ETS in the workplace. To help defray such suits, Humber suggested the immediate establishment of a sort of ETS legal-aid group he called the "ETS Defense Resources Council." Humber claimed this strategy has been effective for other companies, saying, | Humber's memo also reveals his awareness of the risk of potential lawsuits against PM from exposure of employees to ETS in the workplace. To help defray such suits, Humber suggested the immediate establishment of a sort of ETS legal-aid group he called the "ETS Defense Resources Council." Humber claimed this strategy has been effective for other companies, saying, |
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| While [forming such a legal advisory group] will obviously not prevent new laws nor stop employers from imposing workplace smoking bans based on the threat of litigation, the rapid institutionalization of...such a [legal consulting] center would...signal the antis and plaintiffs bar that there will be no free ride on this tobacco issue either.[51] | While [forming such a legal advisory group] will obviously not prevent new laws nor stop employers from imposing workplace smoking bans based on the threat of litigation, the rapid institutionalization of...such a [legal consulting] center would...signal the antis and plaintiffs bar that there will be no free ride on this tobacco issue either.[51] |
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| PM eventually carried out Humber's "sue the bastards" strategy. In 1993, the same year Humber wrote the memo, PM filed a lawsuit in North Carolina before Judge William Osteen claiming the EPA's ruling on secondhand smoke was invalid. **Judge Osteen ruled against the EPA, saying the agency had used bad science.** The EPA stood by its report and appealed. On December 11, 2002--almost 10 years after the EPA first issue its report on secondhand smoke--the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in the EPA’s favor, and vacated Judge Osteen's opinion. | PM eventually carried out Humber's "sue the bastards" strategy. In 1993, the same year Humber wrote the memo, PM filed a lawsuit in North Carolina before Judge William Osteen claiming the EPA's ruling on secondhand smoke was invalid. **Judge Osteen ruled against the EPA, saying the agency had used bad science.** The EPA stood by its report and appealed. On December 11, 2002--almost 10 years after the EPA first issue its report on secondhand smoke--the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in the EPA’s favor, and vacated Judge Osteen's opinion. |
| On Media: "If it bleeds, it leads" | On Media: "If it bleeds, it leads" |
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| Speaking to a 1997 Public Affairs Council conference Jim McAvoy, who went on to work as the head of B-M Media Practice summed up the news media's prioritization as "If it bleeds, it leads." [1] | Speaking to a 1997 Public Affairs Council conference Jim McAvoy, who went on to work as the head of B-M Media Practice summed up the news media's prioritization as "If it bleeds, it leads." ((https://web.archive.org/web/20121019032647/https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Burson-Marsteller)) |
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