Politics

America Still Supports Susan Davis

By Diane Farsetta

Susan Davis International (SDI), the public relations firm that received millions from "America Supports You," the Pentagon's pro-troop -- and often pro-war -- program, will get more taxpayer funds. The Defense Department renewed a $1 million contract with SDI, for work related to the National Guard and Reserve. SDI will "promote a workplace culture that values the contribution that 'citizen soldiers' made to national defense and an understanding of the challenges they face" for the Pentagon's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program, reports O'Dwyer's. "SDI will also devise a media campaign for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Awards and handle the Freedom Award Ceremony in [Washington] D.C., which is attended by top military leaders, business officials, and Members of Congress." According to a Defense Department Inspector General's report, SDI received more than 95 percent of total funding for America Supports You, and inappropriately used taxpayer money. SDI chair Susan Ann Davis is a personal friend of Allison Barber, a former Pentagon PR official who headed America Supports You.

Full post as published by PR Watch on July 08, 2009 (boomark / email).