Has anyone heard of PCI in Chicago?  It seems to be a public relations and
marketing company that is huge and connected to WORLDCOM Group.  I found an
interesting case history at their web site (and it doesn't allow for copying
and pasting).  They write about the challenge--2-fold
1. Questionable marketing tactics in undeveloped countries by non-US infant
formula manufacturers had been widely reported in the press.  The media and
most readers assumed that US manufactureers were guilty of the same practices.

2.  When the US Congress decided to vote against the WHO infant formula
marketing code, American manufacturers were condemned by the press, termed
"baby killers" and accused of placing profits before human lives.

Action

PCI organized a series of editorial board breiefings with major metropolitan
newspapers across the country for a team of company officials.  Editorial
background briefings were held in the 18 top markets to correct
misconceptions and misinformation among editorial policy directors, editorial
writers and medical and consumer affairs writers.  PCI initiated the contact
with media, prepared top company officials for these sessions, prepared
leave-behind materials and accompanied company spokes persons on the sessions.

Results

They list the 18 top markets from New York City (New York Times) to LA (LA
Times) Chicago (Chicago Tribune) etc.

"These briefings were successfully conducted over a period of several months.
 No negative editorials appeared in any newspaper subsequent to a visit by
the company team.  Ultimately the issue subsided."  By the way Mead Johnson
is one of their clients.  I don't have a date on this so I have no idea when
all this occurred but I think it shows us how manipulated the media is by the
infant formula industry.

The web site is http://www.pcipr.com/homec.html   find case histories
entitled Infant Formula in Undeveloped Countries.   Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

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