Involvement Of PR Consultants In Hep A Crisis Rankles Some Advocates
"We need to focus on resolving the health crisis, not resolving the political crisis that may or may [not] be occurring for elected officials,” said Michael McConnell, an advocate for homeless people.
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Spin Doctors Or Health Experts? PR Firms Volunteer Time On San Diego's Hepatitis Crisis.
Two outside communications firms have been enlisted in the City of San Diego’s response to the hepatitis A health crisis, and the Mayor’s Office says they have done the work at no charge. One of the experts was the Steve Alexander Group of La Jolla, a strategic and crisis communications firm that has worked for Qualcomm, the American Red Cross, Scripps Health and others. The other was Southwest Strategies, a public affairs firm that has worked for San Diego Gas & Electric, the San Diego Association of Governments and others. The company has charged other government agencies as much as $200 an hour for services of its consultants. (McDonald, 10/26)