8 sins committed in the name of good PR

As the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. PR pros engage in these questionable tactics with the best ends in mind.

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ProPublica’s recent expose of the American Red Cross contained a colorful and symbolic detail that made PR professionals and their corporate communications counterparts cringe.

The article reports that the organization drove around nearly-empty trucks in the wake of Hurricane Sandy “to be seen,” to give the impression that it was delivering aid when in fact it often wasn’t. It was all about the optics. The Red Cross has rejected many of those claims, but it made me think about other “sins” that have been committed in the name of good PR.

Here are a few:

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