Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 3, 2008 2:46:41 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Oil Lobby Pumps Cash Into Image Campaign

Posted May 9, 08 3:15 PM CDT in US,  Business 

(Newser) – As gas prices skyrocket—and oil company profits soar along with them—the chief US oil lobby has launched a massive campaign to improve its public image, the Washington Post reports. The American Petroleum Institute is spending millions on newspaper ads, a traveling museum, and tours for bloggers, to counter rising hostility among consumers and moves in Congress to punish the industry.

Spending on the campaign “dwarfs” the typical amount spent on so-called issues advertising, says an ad exec. The lobbying group will say only that the price tag doesn't top $100 million, but it's expected to be on par with the "Got Milk?" campaign by the dairy industry. The goal is to convince voters that rising prices are not the companies' fault and that higher taxes would only make problems at the pump worse.

Source Washington Post

1 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • PR Blitz Aside, Big Oil Drilled Consumers for Stockholders

    Oct 28, 08 12:43 PM CDT
    PR Blitz Aside, Big Oil Drilled Consumers for Stockholders Despite public-relations campaigns designed to make consumers think otherwise, big oil companies remain firmly tied to doing what’s best for their stockholders and bottom line, the Los Angeles Times reports. Though demand has outstripped production, companies spend more on stock buybacks than supply-boosting exploration. But, one analyst notes, “it's not their job to be doing things in the public's best interest.” More »

  • Corn-Hungry Texas Calls for Cuts in Biofuel Mandates

    Jul 23, 08 2:32 AM CDT
    Corn-Hungry Texas Calls for Cuts in Biofuel Mandates The EPA is considering a proposal from the governor of Texas to slash the amount of ethanol that oil companies are required to blend into gasoline to meet quotas, the New York Times reports. Gov. Rick Perry is calling for the EPA to cut the ethanol mandate in half, from 9 billion to 4.5 billion gallons, arguing that billions of bushels of corn should be used to feed livestock instead. More »

  • 75% Blame Bush for Faltering Economy

    Jun 26, 08 4:20 AM CDT
    75% Blame Bush for Faltering Economy A new poll paints a gloomy picture of a pessimistic America struggling with soaring gas prices and a deteriorating economy—and blaming President Bush. Three of four Americans—including a large number of Republicans—hold the president responsible for the economic downturn, according to a Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll. The president's approval rating has sunk to an all-time low of just 23%. His constituency is particularly irritated about his lack of action to stem rocketing gas prices. More »

  • Congress Grills Oil Execs Over Skyrocketing Prices

    Apr 1, 08 5:21 PM CDT
    Congress Grills Oil Execs Over Skyrocketing Prices Top oil executives faced a panel of angry lawmakers on Capitol Hill today, as Congress fumed over the disparity between the companies’ hefty profits and soaring prices, the Washington Post reports. Said one rep, “I believe the laws of supply and demand when it comes to oil and gas are broken and completely malfunctioning.” Another congressman referenced April Fools’ Day, hoping that “soaring gas prices are just part of some elaborate hoax.” More »

Demonstrators stand outside the American Petroleum Institute in downtown Washington, Wednesday, March 19, 2008, to mark the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
A motorist fuels up as gas prices hover well above the $4-a-gallon mark in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Thursday, May 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
A cab driver fills up his coach at $4.16 per gallon Thursday, May 8, 2008, in Chicago.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 3)

Tags

gas prices • advertising campaign • oil companies • lobbyist • public image


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Business Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »