Oh Look! It's A New Green PR Blitz From ExxonMobil!! [View All]

Exxon seeks clean-up of global villain image

Terry Macalister
Monday October 13, 2003
The Guardian

"ExxonMobil has been holding a series of secret meetings with
environmental and human rights groups worldwide in an effort to
change its hard-nosed public image.

The moves have been seized on by the Stop Esso campaign as a sign
that its boycott activities aimed at changing the company's anti-Kyoto
treaty views are working. The group insists that it has not changed its mind on substantive issues but
believes it has become misunderstood and needs to engage more with the
outside world.


The charm offensive does appear to indicate fears at Exxon's Texas headquarters that a negative
public image is threatening to damage its Esso petrol brand. The world's largest listed oil group
has been presented by critics as playing a pivotal role in encouraging President George Bush
to reject the Kyoto treaty.

EDIT

Cindy Baxter, a spokeswoman for the Stop Esso campaign, remains unconvinced.
"This looks like PR. They need to stop funding rightwing groups and
climate change sceptics if they want to convince anyone they are really changing," she said.

EDIT

http//www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,3604,1061517,00.html