Thread by @JuddLegum

BREAKING: A massive PR firm that represents high-profile corporations like @CocaCola, @Netflix, & @Starbucks is privately advising its clients to avoid commenting on abortion rights, according to an internal email obtained by popular.info

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popular.info/p/pr-giant-adv…

@CocaCola @netflix @Starbucks 2. The firm, @zenogroup, created "a template email to share with client contacts."

The template warns that the media "will look for corporations to take a stand" on the repeal of Roe

Zeno recommends its clients stay silent

popular.info/p/pr-giant-adv…

@CocaCola @netflix @Starbucks @zenogroup 3. The template email, drafted by a top Zeno executive, says abortion is "a textbook '50/50' issue" and a "no-win situation[] for companies." It says silence is best because any statement "will alienate at least 15 to 30 percent of their stakeholders"

popular.info/p/pr-giant-adv…

@CocaCola @netflix @Starbucks @zenogroup 4. Zeno warns corporations that inquiries from the media about reproductive rights should be ignored to avoid attracting attention: "[B]eing at the center is not advisable"

popular.info/p/pr-giant-adv…

5. In a section of Zeno's template to clients devoted to social media, the PR firm says companies should "not engage with direct questions about your company’s position" on abortion rights and "not respond to questions about where your company stands"

popular.info/p/pr-giant-adv…

6. Zeno is a subsidiary of @EdelmanPR, the world's largest PR conglomerate. Zeno's private advice to clients sharply contrasts with Zeno's public-facing communications, which emphasize the importance of standing up for women's rights

popular.info/p/pr-giant-adv…

@EdelmanPR 7. In a March 2021 statement posted to its corporate website, @zenogroup said that everyone must make "a commitment to a gender equal world" and that includes "speaking up in the face of inequality"

"Notorious RBG shattered glass ceilings"

popular.info/p/pr-giant-adv…

8. Other clients of @Zenogroup include @kia, @AstraZeneca, @ATT, @ASICSamerica @MiracleGro, @pizzahut, @coronaextrausa, @Prudential, and @Lenovo

Popular.info contacted five @zenogroup executives for comment and none responded

popular.info/p/pr-giant-adv…

9. If other PR firms, including @EdelmanPR, are doling out similar advice it may explain why so few corporations that publicly champion women's rights have spoken out about the expected repeal of Roe

popular.info/p/pr-giant-adv…

10. If you have information about how PR firms or corporations are handling the repeal of Roe, please contact me. (DMs open, ask for Signal).

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11. UPDATE: @zenogroup CEO Barby Siegel responds to popular.info's reporting. Siegel confirms the authenticity of the email and says "its intent was to counsel clients to be measured in their immediate response to a complex developing story."

popular.info/p/pr-giant-adv…

12. Seigel says Zeno's email reflects that it takes "seriously our responsibility to help clients proactively navigate complex societal issues" but "does not accurately reflect Zeno’s position or the range of counsel that we are providing to clients"

popular.info/p/pr-giant-adv…

13. @zenogroup also responded via their Twitter account:

https://twitter.com/zenogroup/status/1522622369638109184

14. AD AGE: EDELMAN UNIT ADVISES CLIENTS TO STAY SILENT ON ABORTION DEBATE, PER LEAKED AGENCY MEMO

adage.com/article/agency…

15. NEWSWEEK: Starbucks, Coca Cola, Netflix Told to Stay Mum on Abortion Rights: Report

newsweek.com/pr-company-tol…

16. PR WEEK: Zeno criticized for advising clients to keep quiet about abortion rights stand

prweek.com/article/175519…

17. UPDATE: @zenogroup tells @BusinessInsider that describing the repeal of Roe as a "50/50 issue" was "a poor choice of words."

businessinsider.com/zeno-pr-compan…