The Associated Press got some bad press of its own recently when
it distributed key chains to employees with the message, "AP
Diversity: Many Views, One Vision." AP staffers, who have been in
negotiations with the news organization for more than a decade to
gain insurance benefits for unmarried domestic partners, were
outraged by what they considered the obvious hypocrisy of the key
chains. Key chains began streaming back to headquarters, along with
letters from irate journalists, some of whom even threatened to
abandon ship for other news organizations which do provide coverage
for domestic partners.
The lesson: As the PR department, you are the eyes and ears of
the organization. Stay connected to employees' points of views and
to initiatives planned by other departments (distribution of key
chains with a catchy slogan, for example). If those initiatives are
disconnected from employees' perspectives, it's your role to raise
the issue. (AP, 212/621-1500)