Judd Legum

BREAKING: A massive PR firm that represents high-profile corporations like @CocaCola, @Netflix, & @Starbucks is privately advising its clients to avoid commenting on abortion rights, according to an internal email obtained by https://t.co/Gl6evXRDcZ

🧵

https://t.co/vzxuQPamgz

@CocaCola @netflix @Starbucks 2. The firm, @zenogroup, created "a template email to share with client contacts."

The template warns that the media "will look for corporations to take a stand" on the repeal of Roe

Zeno recommends its clients stay silent

https://popular.info/p/pr-giant-advising-corporate-clients?s=w

@CocaCola @netflix @Starbucks @zenogroup 3. The template email, drafted by a top Zeno executive, says abortion is "a textbook '50/50' issue" and a "no-win situation[] for companies." It says silence is best because any statement "will alienate at least 15 to 30 percent of their stakeholders"

https://popular.info/p/pr-giant-advising-corporate-clients?s=w https://t.co/QDgQMX41Ej

@CocaCola @netflix @Starbucks @zenogroup 4. Zeno warns corporations that inquiries from the media about reproductive rights should be ignored to avoid attracting attention: "[B]eing at the center is not advisable"

https://popular.info/p/pr-giant-advising-corporate-clients?s=w https://t.co/tAJP3qGxWv

5. In a section of Zeno's template to clients devoted to social media, the PR firm says companies should "not engage with direct questions about your company’s position" on abortion rights and "not respond to questions about where your company stands"

https://popular.info/p/pr-giant-advising-corporate-clients?s=w

6. Zeno is a subsidiary of @EdelmanPR, the world's largest PR conglomerate. Zeno's private advice to clients sharply contrasts with Zeno's public-facing communications, which emphasize the importance of standing up for women's rights

https://popular.info/p/pr-giant-advising-corporate-clients?s=w https://t.co/4PkCkFzyrV

@EdelmanPR 7. In a March 2021 statement posted to its corporate website, @zenogroup said that everyone must make "a commitment to a gender equal world" and that includes "speaking up in the face of inequality"

"Notorious RBG shattered glass ceilings"

https://popular.info/p/pr-giant-advising-corporate-clients?s=w https://t.co/1GkSTBqoSF

9. If other PR firms, including @EdelmanPR, are doling out similar advice it may explain why so few corporations that publicly champion women's rights have spoken out about the expected repeal of Roe

https://popular.info/p/pr-giant-advising-corporate-clients?s=w

10. If you have information about how PR firms or corporations are handling the repeal of Roe, please contact me. (DMs open, ask for Signal).

For updates subscribe to the Popular Information newsletter

It's free to sign up

http://popular.info/subscribe

Fri May 06 13:31:45 +0000 2022