Behind Chevron's feel-good, misleading ad campaign

[Newsjock]

Source: Los Angeles Times

... "Oil companies should put their profits to good use," the company declares in recent newspaper ads. And in response to that laudable sentiment, Chevron's chief financial officer, Patricia Yarrington, says, "We agree."

... OK, then perhaps Chevron can tell us how exactly it's reinvested $7 billion into California. Was it in building new facilities and creating new jobs? Was it in developing alternative energy sources? Investing in solar companies? Or was it something as mundane as simply paying its taxes?

... When I spoke this week with Brent Tippen, a Chevron spokesman, he asked how detailed a response I wanted. Very detailed, I told him. Let the people of California know exactly where that $7 billion went.

... In other words, if a Chevron employee leaves a tip at a restaurant, and the restaurant server then spends that tip elsewhere, that's an example of Chevron reinvesting in California.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lazarus-20110513,0,1491025.column

[ErikJ]

1. Thanks- Those Big oil Sappy lying PR ads make me sick

summary statement article
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"Is that what the company seemed to be implying with its "We Agree" ads when it talked about oil companies putting their profits to good use? No.

The clear implication of the ads is that Chevron believes it has a responsibility to spend its massive profits on good works. Examples of this might include hefty investments in green energy and technology, contributions to schools, social programs and other community resources, even support for the arts.

Maintaining and possibly expanding existing facilities, giving your workers a steady paycheck and paying your taxes — these don't seem to be examples of a company that's going above and beyond the call of corporate duty. "
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[Adsos Letter]

2. When I took my wife to the airport this morning I mentioned the President's

talk about taking tax deals away from Big Oil. She said "ah, so that's what those Chevron ads are about...damage control." :D