Perhaps youve probably heard: Facebook and Google are at war, and Facebooks not afraid to play dirty. Thursdays revelation that the social networking site hired PR firm Burston-Marsteller to plant a negative story about Googles privacy settings raises a number of questions. Like, Who at Facebook thought this was a good idea? The company isn't responding to the question right now. Until they do, it helps to look at the players involved. Theres Burston-Marsteller, the global PR firm run by CEO Mark Penn. Theres Jim Goldman, the former Silicon Valley bureau chief for CNBC (and frequent target of high school-style ridicule). Hes become the fall guy for Burston-Marsteller. Theres Sheryl Sandberg, Facebooks universally praised COO. And then theres Elliot Schrage, Facebooks VP of communications and public policy. Penn, of course, is a Washington heavy hitter: he worked as a pollster to President Clinton during both of his terms and the Washington Post noted how thoroughly integrated into the policymaking operation hed become. Penns also no stranger to criticism from Washington observers: he gained notoriety for missteps as chief strategist to Hillary Clinton during her 2008 Presidential bid. He eventually stepped down after feuding with other aides, and for reportedly offering Clinton some of her worst advice (like, emphasize Barack Obamas foreignness). Penns also no stranger to the tech worldhes credited with making Microsoft into one of the countrys most... Continue reading at 'AdWeek'
[ AdWeek | 2011-05-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
Perhaps youve probably heard: Facebook and Google are at war, and Facebooks not afraid to play dirty. Thursdays revelation that the social networking site hired PR firm Burston-Marsteller to plant a negative story about Googles privacy settings raises a number of questions. Like, Who at... Continue reading at AdWeek
[ AdWeek | 2011-05-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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