Giant PR Firm Warns Clients to Avoid Media
A PR firm that represents high profile companies is privately advising them to avoid talking to media outlets about abortion rights. They advise their customers to keep mum on the issue.
That's right, a PR firm telling clients not to talk to the media. We covered this in previous posts that modern media outlets are not our friend. The email is warning clients that media will "look for corporations to take a stand and make their views known.”
Edelman Holdings is the world’s largest public relations company with clients like Kia Motors, Pizza Hut, and Astra Zeneca. Subsidiary Zeno Group sent out an email template to share with clients regarding the current dustup with the Supreme Court's consideration of Roe v. Wade.
Zeno advises its clients to stay mum on the issue because a public stance wouldn’t play well for companies.
The email template said:
Do not take a stance you cannot reverse, especially when the decision is not final. This topic is a textbook “50/50” issue. Subjects that divide the country can sometimes be no-win situations for companies because regardless of what they do they will alienate at least 15 to 30 percent of their stakeholders… Do not assume that all of your employees, customers or investors share your view.
Zeno is warning clients that the media will make inquiries to find organizations and corporations which will make statements becoming the first one to "raise his hand".
Though not worded in this way, they are saying organizations who vocally participate with the media end up carrying the narrative which the publications are pushing.
For this reason, Zeno continues to warn its clients away from the media entirely. The email warns clients to avoid media "fishing".
The email suggests the best way to talk with reporters is to avoid them completely.
“Steer clear of breaking news networks/outlets. We anticipate the story will dominate newsfeeds for the rest of the week as more details unfold, so avoid pitching reporters and outlets that focus on breaking news.”
The advice is also being made for companies’ social media accounts.
“Do not engage with direct questions about your company’s position. Whether in direct messages or public-facing posts, do not respond to questions about where your company stands on this issue.”
When Corporations Go Woke, They Go Broke
The consulting group has been burned with clients like Netflix which is dealing with catastrophic market capitalization losses as the stock price has fallen from $671 to $215.
Subscribers are leaving the platform en masse, ostensively because of the programming becoming more and more political. Pending on which analyst you talk with either Netflix or Disney now performs the worst out of the 500 stocks in the S&P 500.
Speaking of Disney, this advice to stay silent on a political issue comes after Disney stock is also cratering when CEO Bob Chapek publicly came out against Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” law.
Disney's stance was so contentious that the Florida state legislature voted to end Disney's special tax and governance status. We haven't seen any estimates and how badly the company will be hit with tax bills starting next year.
In Disney's case it appears that the CEO felt pressured by groups to make a public pronouncement in the media.
Hence, Zenos unprecedented communiqué to clients.
Be your own publisher. The media is not your friend.