As noted earlier, a press release from the Combined Press Information Center in Iraq had a decidedly different feel than your standard occupying army press release, borrowing its subject line from Seinfeld and all ("IRAQ: No car bomb for you!"). Well, it turns out that this is part of a plan. A follow-up press release explained:
As many of you have noticed, the CPIC has tried something new and gone "civilian" concerning the subject lines of the news releases we have been sending out over the past week. We have limited this practice to the releases that deal with feature story material. We have not implemented this practice when the release concerns fatalities or injuries.We think they're limiting themselves. Really, what captures the American attitude toward continued violence in Iraq better than, "Fifteen killed in Baghdad blast, yadda yadda yadda. . . "
Full press release after the jump.
From: "Valley, Stephen"
Date: Wed, 29 Sep 2004 17:52:18 +0400
Subject: Asking Your Opinion
Greetings:
I am looking for the thoughts of the clients we serve and am hoping that you have the time to reply back with a short statement.
As many of you have noticed, the CPIC has tried something new and gone "civilian" concerning the subject lines of the news releases we have been sending out over the past week. We have limited this practice to the releases that deal with feature story material. We have not implemented this practice when the release concerns fatalities or injuries.
This is the strategy that I use to engage the media in my civilian position as PR Manager at the Tampa Port Authority and it seems to be working as evidence of your comments to the CPIC Director, LTC Steve Boylan.
I am hoping that you can reply with your thoughts on the subject. I will be attending a PA conference later this week and I'd like to use your views as part of my presentation. Has the strategy worked? Has it hurt the CPIC? Does it make any difference at all what the subject line says when we email you? Do you read any of the news releases that we send?
I thank you in advance for your assistance.
Regards.
1SG Steve Valley
MNF-I CPIC Media Officer
Cowboy Up!
