Uh Oh. Another PR faux paux. Well, at least according to Adrants reader Rich who wasn’t too pleased with a recent press release from Ketchum for Cadbury Schweppes which exclaimed, “Dr. Pepper Supports Chinese Democracy.” Predictably, Dr. Pepper was doing no such thing. It was just another publicity ploy.
Rich explains, writing, “Ketchum, Dr. Pepper’s PR agency, issued this online press release with the headline ‘Dr. Pepper Supports Chinese Democracy.’ Reading the press release reveals that, no, Dr. Pepper is not supporting the Tibetans risking their lives and well-being for democracy; rather, they are running a publicity stunt surrounding the long-delayed Guns ‘n’ Roses record, ‘Chinese Democracy.”‘ Ha ha ha! Bet you thought we were talking about dying Tibetans!”
Rich continues, “I called the press contact, Chris Kooluris, both to confirm the story was real and to tell him I thought it was a crappy, low-class and unethical move. I also called Cadbury Schweppes consumer relations and told them the same. I encourage your readers to do likewise.”
Not sure if it’s as big a deal as Rich makes out to be. After all, we’re sure guilty of writing hundreds of headlines that, shall we say, are written in a way that tease the click. But if you are miffed by Ketchum’s horrific trickery, Rich has provided us with contact info if you feel the need to vent. Ketchum’s Chris Kooluris: 646-935-4098. Cadbury Schweppes consumer relations: 972-673-7000. Have at it.
Of course, this entire this could just be a ploy. Maybe Rich works for Ketchum. Maybe we’re just getting duped here. Maybe…oh who gives a shit.
