SourceWatch: TV4US Astroturf

Posted on April 5, 2007 - 12:35pm.

Note: We've reported on this group in the past - but this is worth repeating.

TV4US describes itself as a coalition "advocating on behalf of American customers who deserve new choices, better service and lower costs in their television service." [1] The public interest group Common Cause called TV4US "the very definition of Astroturf: an industry-backed campaign that gives the appearance of widespread grassroots support." [2]

TV4US "is co-chaired by President Clinton's former Deputy Chief of Staff Steve Ricchetti and Republican strategist Charlie Black," according to Common Cause. In 2001 and 2002, "they led the AT&T-backed Voices for Choices organization in opposition to the proposed Tauzin-Dingell telecom bill." [3]

Kelley Gannon is identified as a TV4US spokesperson in multiple news accounts. [4] But Gannon actually works for the Fleishman-Hillard PR firm, according to Jack O'Dwyer's Newsletter (see below). [5]

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Lobbying and Public Relations

TV4US retains Joe Eyer of the firm Dewey Square Group as a lobbyist, according to the online database Lobbyists.info (accessed March 28, 2007).

"Fleishman-Hillard is repping the TV4US coalition, which wants to streamline cable TV regulation to allow easier market entry for telecoms," reported Jack O'Dwyer's Newsletter in June 2006. "Kelly [sic] Gannon, who joined F-H from the National Assn. of Chain Drug Stores, serves as TV4US spokesperson. The coalition is running a series of ads, but Gannon said she could not discuss ad buys with O’Dwyer’s." [6]

"Gannon is coordinating her activities with Charlie Black, chairman of Burson-Marsteller’s BKSH & Assocs. lobbying wing and former Republican National Committee spokesperson, and Steve Ricchetti, President Clinton’s former deputy chief of staff," added O'Dwyer's. [7]

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