Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is the UK subsidiary of Weber Shandwick Worldwide, one of the biggest global PR companies (owned by Interpublic). In 2006, the UK subsidiary had a fee income of £28 million.^[1]

Weber Shandwick Worldwide Offices, Central Edinburgh. Photograph taken on the Spinwatch G8 Spinwalk, 1 July 2005

Campaigns

Pro-Nuclear Activity

Weber Shandwick has a long history of involvement with the nuclear industry. Documents released under FOI, show that Weber Shandwick worked for BNFL in 2004 and 2005.^[2] In February 2006, the PR magazine O'Dwyer's also reported that Weber Shandwick was promoting BNFL's move to sell Westinghouse Electric to Japan's Toshiba for $5.4 billion. U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez had lobbied UK officials in favour of General Electric's bid for Westinghouse. ^[1] BNFL remain are lobbying client in 2009.

Working Towards a Nuclear New Build

Since 2004, Weber Shandwick has been working with BNFL towards a new nuclear build in the UK. Part of this strategy has been to position nuclear as clean, safe, secure and climate-friendly (also see BNFL).

By the Autumn of 2004, a year before the government annnounced its "official review," Weber and BNFL were working on thier own one:

"To secure from the review a meaningful commitment to a programme of nuclear new build, underpinned by commitments to:

Provide the necessary market and fiscal framewrok for replacement build;

Begin a programme or review which deals with the question of disposal of nuclear waste from repalcement build;

Analyse and bring in the changes needed in the planning and regulation regime which to enable speedy decision-making and construction". ^[2]

We believe in the Cause

One question people ask is whether PR consultants are neutral on nuclear and just provide professional advice. One email from Weber to BNFL from September 2004 answers this. It said: "As you know, you have a group of people over here who believe in this cause - we would love to do this work, and already feel excited about it". ^[3]

Gather Intelligence on the Climate Sceptics

One of the main PR strategies of the nuclear lobby over the last three years has been to use the issue of climate change to push for a resumption in nuclear. The argument they have put forward is that nuclear is a low emitter of greenhouse gases and should therefore be used as a key policy option to fight climate change.

But what about those who deny climate change? They could, by default, undermine the case for nuclear: In September 2004 a letter appeared in The Times signed by Lord Lawson, and known climate sceptics Wilfred Beckerman as well as Julian Morris from the International Policy Network, amongst others that attacked the need for action on climate:

It said: "Sir, Both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition made major speeches last week on climate change and the policies that are supposedly required to deal with it (reports, September 14 and 15). It appears that, in this area, Tony Blair and Michael Howard are of one mind. They hold the same alarmist view of the world, and call for much the same radical -and costly programme of action ... There are no solid grounds for assuming, as Messrs Blair and Howard do, that global warming demands immediate and far-reaching action".

On reading this, Weber Shandwick emailed BNFL:

"Times letter today from Nigel Lawson and others which seems to be pooh-poohing climate change - anyone know anything about where this lot have popped up from?"

"Any intellgence (sic) gratefully received before we set to work here at WS end trying to find out what's going on..." ^[4]

Good News in Labour's Manifesto

When Labour's 2005 Manifesto was published, the spin doctors were quick to pick up on the following paragraph:

"We have a major programmme to promote renewable energy, as part of a strategy of having a mix of energy sources from nuclear power stations to clean coal to micro generators."

Weber Shandwick sent a note to BNFL:

" To me, at least, this is a step towards a declared pro-nuclear position".

BNFL replied:

"Wow...good news indeed". ^[5]

People

Colin Byrne Chief Executive Officer, Weber Shandwick - UK - clients include BNFL
David Yelland Senior Vice Chairman, Weber Shandwick - UK
Nora Farrell, Managing Director of the Edinburgh office

Clients

Other

Case studies

Works to Save the Fox, Kill the Whale

Contact

Weber Shandwick

Fox Court

14 Gray's Inn Road

London, WC1X 8WS

United Kingdom

T: 44 20 7067 0000

External Resources

^ O'Dwyers PR Daily, "Weber Shandwick Gudes Nuke Deal", February 6, 2006. - requires subscription

Antony Barnett, Ned Temko and Gaby Hinsliff, "Lobbying firm linked to academies row", The Observer, April 23, 2006

^ P. Simpson (2002)WSW Picks Up BNFL Public Affairs Work, PR Week, 22 April

^ NewBuild Proposal, Email from Weber Shandwick to BNFL, September 16, 2004.

^ Email from Weber Shandwick to BNFL, September 24, 2004.

^ Email from Weber Shandwick to BNFL, April 13, 2005.

Resources

Weber Shandwick, UK Clients, PRCA Yearbook 2004

Notes

↑ PR Week, “Madeleine, Mills and M&A Madness,” December 14, 2007, p23
↑ Paying to be propagandised, Chris Grimshaw, Corporate Watch, 10 October 2006
↑ APPC register, to Nov 2008, accessed Feb 2009

[1] PR Week, “Madeleine, Mills and M&A Madness,” December 14, 2007, p23

[2] Paying to be propagandised, Chris Grimshaw, Corporate Watch, 10 October 2006

[3] APPC register, to Nov 2008, accessed Feb 2009

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[2]

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Weber Shandwick

Contents

Campaigns

Pro-Nuclear Activity

Working Towards a Nuclear New Build

We believe in the Cause

Gather Intelligence on the Climate Sceptics

Good News in Labour's Manifesto

People

Clients

Other

Case studies

Contact

External Resources

Resources

Notes

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