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hatrack

(59,436 posts)
Sun May 13, 2018, 09:34 AM May 2018

When A Utility Hires Actors To Appear At Public Meetings: "Clearly . . . A Misunderstanding"



The head of a public relations firm that Entergy New Orleans hired to lobby the New Orleans City Council tried to deflect blame Friday for a scheme in which actors were paid to show up at council meetings and pose as supporters of a proposed new power plant.

Reading from a prepared statement, the president of the Alexandria, Virginia-based Hawthorn Group said in an interview that a subcontractor had hired the actors, and that Hawthorn had not been aware of the plan. However, the subcontractor, called Crowds on Demand, describes its methods in frank language on its website.

Ed. - Emphasis added.

“Paying participants was not requested or authorized by our client or by Hawthorn,” said Suzanne Hammelman, Hawthorn’s president and chief operating officer. “Clearly, there was a misunderstanding, which we deeply regret.”

Hawthorn has at least once before done business with a firm accused of manufacturing public sentiments, in an episode the company wouldn’t comment on Friday. Asked about the previous incident — in which a subcontractor hired by Hawthorn admitted in 2009 to forging letters of opposition to a congressional proposal on capping carbon pollution — Hammelman declined to answer questions.

EDIT

http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_e66139b0-554d-11e8-8943-ef6ceabc67fe.html
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When A Utility Hires Actors To Appear At Public Meetings: "Clearly . . . A Misunderstanding" (Original Post) hatrack May 2018 OP
They can hire a subcontractor to lie their way out of it, if their own lies don't seem to be working NBachers May 2018 #1
That's one I missed during high school Career Day. LastLiberal in PalmSprings May 2018 #2
This Hawthorn guy is clearly a lying con man-just like Trump! riversedge May 2018 #3
What does one expect, Wellstone ruled May 2018 #4
Take a look at this: https://crowdsondemand.com/ YOHABLO May 2018 #5
You and I are aware Wellstone ruled May 2018 #9
Should consider making laws against this lostnfound May 2018 #6
Business model sounds inspired by the Brooks Brothers riot. Beartracks May 2018 #7
See, Grass(roots) grows for free. Astroturf costs money. Volaris May 2018 #8
2. That's one I missed during high school Career Day.
Sun May 13, 2018, 09:58 AM
May 2018

We learned about becoming firemen, nurses, teachers, auto mechanics and cops. No one told us anything about becoming a professional crowd participant.

https://crowdsondemand.com/

To be fair, no one said a word about making a career out of firing dead chickens at aircraft windshields, either.



 

Wellstone ruled

(34,661 posts)
4. What does one expect,
Sun May 13, 2018, 10:35 AM
May 2018

we have a President that has a on call group of Actors to fill in the background when ever he speaks.

 

Wellstone ruled

(34,661 posts)
9. You and I are aware
Sun May 13, 2018, 12:40 PM
May 2018

of this,but,how many millions believe these are real concern Tumpers. Notice the Sister twins from Phoenix are always in the back ground. Then there is the African American dude wearing the T-shirt with Blacks for Trump,another one from Phoenix. Then there are the Gramps and Grams Couple from Vegas,always there.BTW,most of these Xtra's show up in Commercials as background walk on's .

lostnfound

(16,138 posts)
6. Should consider making laws against this
Sun May 13, 2018, 11:50 AM
May 2018

Have to distinguish between PR people / spokesmen Vs this kind of thing.

Volaris

(10,260 posts)
8. See, Grass(roots) grows for free. Astroturf costs money.
Sun May 13, 2018, 12:39 PM
May 2018

Too bad oil and power companies, don't like natural things, or they'd have their OWN grass.

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