Edward Bernays
The following lists are comprised of some of the most well-known public relations experts, sometimes referred to as spin doctors.
Famous Figures in Public Relations:
Edward Bernays- American Edward Bernays is often referred to as ‘the father of public relations’ and was a pioneer in the field. His earlier work for the Committee on Public Information during the First World War may have laid the foundations for his later career. He was also the first person to use the subconscious as a way of manipulating public opinion.
Jo Moore- Moore worked for the labour party in a public relations capacity. She is famous for a memo that she sent when news broke of the twin towers disaster on 11th September 2001 which advised, ‘It’s now a very good day to get out anything we want to bury. Coucillors’ expenses?’. Many people were outraged when the media gained access to this information and published details.
Alastair Campbell- Campbell is well-known for his role as Director of Communications and strategy to Tony Blair during his time as Prime Minister. Alastair Campbell and Peter Mandelson were later regarded by some people to be the labour government’s spin doctors.
Karl Rove- Rove is often referred to as a spin doctor in the United States. He is best-known for his work with the republicans in America and, in particular, George Bush.
Famous Fictional Spin Doctors:
Nick Naylor – A character from Christopher Buckley’s political satire ‘Thank You for Smoking’. Naylor works for the tobacco industry and is a spokesman and lobbyist, employed to promote the benefits of cigarettes through media events.
Malcolm Tucker- Tucker is a character from the comedy series ‘The Thick of It’, a satire set amongst the inner workings of the government in Great Britain.
Mike Flaherty- In the comedy TV series ‘Spin City’, the character Mike Flaherty deals with political spin and is portrayed as the main influence on New York politics although he is only the deputy mayor.
Martin McCabe and Charles Prentiss- The characters of McCabe and Prentiss feature in ‘Absolute Power,’ the BBC comedy series in which they run a public relations company.
Conrad Brean- Brean is a character from the black comedy film ‘Wag the Dog’. In the film, spin doctor Brean hires a Hollywood film producer to construct a fake war with Albania in order to divert voters’ attention from a scanda