shemp
27th September 2003, 06:13 AM
Damage Control In D.C. Zoo Deaths (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/09/26/eveningnews/main575409.shtml)
While officials at Washington D.C.'s National Zoo are trying to keep the public's focus on the positive, behind the scenes they've begun a massive public relations campaign to manage the fallout from the rash of unusual, and unnatural animal deaths, reports CBS News Correspondent Sharyl Attkisson.
...
In an attempt to manage all the bad press, zoo director Lucy Spelman has gone so far as to instruct employees to gather personal background information on reporters covering the story, according to an internal memo obtained by CBS News.
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The zoo also hired PR giant Hill and Knowlton to develop a confidential action plan to respond to an upcoming series of stories by the Washington Post. The goal of the plan is to protect Spelman as director and prevent "worst-case scenarios" -- including reporters continuing to pursue the story, or animal rights groups getting involved. It suggests recruiting zoo allies to "independently call the media" and sign letters to the editor.
Red pandas were accidentally killed when staff put rat poison pellets in their food.
Sounds to me like if they really want to control damage, they should start by firing zoo director Lucy Spelman immediately.
While officials at Washington D.C.'s National Zoo are trying to keep the public's focus on the positive, behind the scenes they've begun a massive public relations campaign to manage the fallout from the rash of unusual, and unnatural animal deaths, reports CBS News Correspondent Sharyl Attkisson.
...
In an attempt to manage all the bad press, zoo director Lucy Spelman has gone so far as to instruct employees to gather personal background information on reporters covering the story, according to an internal memo obtained by CBS News.
...
The zoo also hired PR giant Hill and Knowlton to develop a confidential action plan to respond to an upcoming series of stories by the Washington Post. The goal of the plan is to protect Spelman as director and prevent "worst-case scenarios" -- including reporters continuing to pursue the story, or animal rights groups getting involved. It suggests recruiting zoo allies to "independently call the media" and sign letters to the editor.
Red pandas were accidentally killed when staff put rat poison pellets in their food.
Sounds to me like if they really want to control damage, they should start by firing zoo director Lucy Spelman immediately.