|
I believe in being as informed as possible. I want to know who is behind the money. Who is behind the policy and strategy. If you feel like I do, then please read on...
European Women for Front Groups 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. <16>
Following the article B-M the list of celebrity names on the website was substituted with a message that those previously listed were being "re-contacted to confirm their continued support". B-M also sent a letter to The Observer claiming the articles was 'seriously defamatory'. <17> However, six weeks later B-M confirmed that no legal action would be taken. <18>
Carmelo Ruiz, in his article available in a link below, mentions many ventures B-M has spearheaded for clients in the past. They created a citizen group named the Coalition for Clean and Renewable Energy to create a positive image for the James Bay 2 hydroelectric dam project in Canada. They were hired by Philip Morris and then created the National Smokers Alliance to combat oncoming smoking restrictions. They infiltrated activist groups opposing the use of rBGH in dairy cows when hired by Eli Lilly and Nutra-Sweet, a subsidiary of Monsanto, to promote the benefits of the hormone. They were hired by A.H. Robbins after their Dalkon Shield IUD failed, damaging thousands of women. They also employed the talents of Otto Reich, former ambassador to Venezuela and head of Reagan's State Department's Office of Public Diplomacy (OPD) which was responsible for spreading disinformation about the Sandinistas in Nicaragua and blocked critical coverage of the Contras. The GAO found their activities to be illegal and Congress shut the office down in 1987.
Burson and Bush Men 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."
360 Advantage is headed by Russ Schriefer, who did advertising with the Bush/Cheney 2000 and 2004 campaigns and produced the 2004 Republican National Convention, and by Stuart Stevens, a "Bush adman and veteran political strategist." Schriefer and Stevens were also partners in the Stevens & Schriefer Group in Washington, DC, and have worked on presidential campaigns in the Czech Republic, Nigeria, the Philippines and Congo (Jack O'Dwyer's Newletter, Vol. 38, No. 17, April 27, 2005).
Blackwater USA Burson-Marsteller has been hired by the two firms representing PMC Blackwater USA, McDermott Will & Emery and Crowell & Moring, to help with the account. <19>
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 and that this "temporary engagement has ended". <1>
Political Action Committee According to the Center for Responsive Politics database, Burson-Marsteller's federal political action committee had raised more than $69,000 as of October for the 2004 election cycle, with 37% of the donations given at that point going to Democrats, and 58% to Republicans. In the 2002 election cycle, the PAC gave 41% of the $92,500 raised to Democrats, and 58% to Republicans. In 2000, 56% of the $83,500 raised went to Democrats, 44% to Republicans. In 1998, 31% of the $70,300 raised was given to Democrats, 69% to Republicans
And here is a short list of clients...
B-M does not publicly provide a list of its past or current clients. However, a selection of its client list, laregly based on O'Dwyers PR Daily database and other public sources (referenced separately), includes:
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, a firm owned by the Abu Dhabi government; PR Week reported in August 2007 that "the contract runs through January 31, 2008, and is worth an estimated $802,250, including fees and expenses" <21> Action Performance Cos. Allergan: Botox American Public Health Assn. Blackwater USA via Crowell & Moring CDW Government Inc. Cephalon Inc. Chicago Office of the Mayor Citizens Flag Alliance Colombia <22> Coach Inc. Dubai 2003 Entergy Corp.: Indian Point nuclear power plant Foundation for Clean Air Progress Housing & Construction CA HP IGN Entertainment Inc. Indonesian Government Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity <23> Iraqi National Congress JAMDAT Mobile Inc. Miller Brewing Co. Lincoln Park <24> Novell <25> Optimus Inc. Orbitz Philippines, The Presidential Climate Action Project <26> Public Utility Commission of Texas Qualcomm R.R. Donnelley Financial SAP AG Sony Electronics SRI <27> State Farm Stellar Internet Monitoring T.D. Jakes, Bishop Texas Assn. of Business think3 <28> UNITA (anticommunist group led by Savimbi)(Source: Julie Gozan, MultinatinalMonitor, April 1993. U.S. Treasury Dept. Union Banka (UB) Wine.com <29> YukosSibneft Oil Company
And who is in charge?
The Executive Board, as of December 2005, consists of:
Harold Burson, Founding Chairman Mark Penn, Worldwide Chief Executive Officer Chris Komisarjevsky, President & CEO Worldwide, Emeritus Carlos Lareau, Chief Operating Officer, Worldwide Ken Rietz, Vice-Chairman, Worldwide and CEO US Celia Berk, Human Resources Worldwide Fred Hawrysh, Director of Global Client Service Per Heggenes, Chief Executive Officer UK, Co-CEO Europe John Maltese, Chief Financial Officer Worldwide Heidi Sinclair, CEO Continetal Europe, CoCEO Europe, Bill Rylance, President & CEO, Asia/Pacific Santiago Hinojosa, President & CEO, Latin America Leslie Gaines-Ross, Chief Knowledge & Research Officer, Worldwide: Pat Ford Chair, Global Corporate Practice / New York Market Leader: Richard Mintz, Chair, Global Public Affairs Practice/Director of Global New Business Development Jennifer Graham, Chair, Global Technology Practice: Ame Wadler, Chair, Global Healthcare Practice:
People who support Clinton should have this informantion. If they don't yet have it, them I'm glad I could help them out.
|