Public relations case studies

Case studies of public relations campaigns and 'spun' events/issues include:

Entries on sustained campaigns should start with a description of the campaign, note the instigating authors thereof, and clearly itemize particular deceptions in the campaign. Single events, use of a single misleading metaphor or the changing of ground of a single argument, usually incidentally mentioned as part of explaining a larger issue, are italicized above. In some cases, like SARS, an initially inappropriate PR response to an event gives way to a more rational one over time. These may or may not be considered cases of propaganda, some may be a simple result of panic, and may not represent a long-term policy choice to deceive the public, but certainly demonstrate the ability of reporting or reputation to alter what news "means", or willingness of media to play along.


 * A visit to the ActivistCash.com web site
 * Accu-Weather's science for hire
 * Alar and apples
 * Attempted political campaign humour backfires: Ontario September 2003
 * Defending the consumption of farmed salmon
 * Philip Morris's role in defeating Clinton's health care proposal
 * Decision Earth
 * Dispelling the silicosis scandal
 * E-voting PR on electronic voting machines; also see Selling electronic voting, E-Voting: Digital Democracy or a Cash Cow for Consultants?, and A Short but Tragic History of E-voting Public Relations
 * Fuel efficiency standards and the laws of physics
 * Harry and Louise ads defeat health care reform
 * Hill & Knowlton goes to the Maldives
 * Hustling for the Junta: PR Fights Democracy in Haiti
 * Intimidating democracy - the conservative movement's campaign to defund and derail public interest groups
 * Mad cow PR campaigns (U.S.)
 * Move America Forward - campaign against Fahrenheit 9/11 (movie 2004) run by GOP-linked PR firm Russo Marsh & Rogers
 * Nuking the Messengers
 * Shell's Neptune strategy for South Africa
 * Smoking as a civic duty - die young save money
 * Trashing organic foods
 * Fake whistleblower memos on media bias in the Iraq war
 * The babies-from-incubators hoax and war in the Persian Gulf
 * Toppling the statue of Saddam Hussein