This is not a trick question.
What at do Eva Moskowitz, the CEO of the controversial Success Academy charter chain, and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder have in common?
They both hired the same public relations firm, Mercury LLC, to handle their image and communications.
Here is Eva Moskowitz. Here is Rick Snyder.
Interesting.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
No link for Eva Moskowitz.
Wdf1,
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2016/02/8590941/fresh-pr-shake-moskowitz-lashes-out-again-times
Thanks, Diane!
I can think of many more things they have in common, but they’re not printable on this blog.
They both look like someone set their faces on fire and put them out with a sack of nickels?
Ms. RAVITCH: Was there supposed to be a link to Eva Moscowitz’s mention as there was for Gov. Snyder? If so, it did not show up as an underlined link. Will be interesting to compare, contrast the two given their same Message Managers. Thanks for updating. Roger Clendening
On Mon, Feb 15, 2016 at 12:00 PM, Diane Ravitchs blog wrote:
> dianeravitch posted: “This is not a trick question. What at do Evaluate > Modkowitz, the CEO of the controversial Success Academy charter chain, and > Michigan Governor Rick Snyder have in common? They both hired the same > public relations firm, Mercury LLC, to ha” >
Roger,
Yes, there was supposed to be a link showing that Eva hired Mercury. I added it.
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2016/02/8590941/fresh-pr-shake-moskowitz-lashes-out-again-times
Snyder hiring a PR firm actually has a possible benefit to Flint residents. The people in Flint own property and businesses and Governor Snyder has destroyed the value of their property. I’m familiar with Flint and while property and business values aren’t in DC or NYC “stratospheric” territory, the property and businesses there had a value pre-poisoning and now they have less value. The PR firm he hired may help to limit some of that damage to individual owners.
Snyder’s is somewhat justifiable as a public expense. I have no idea why Moskowitz’s is justifiable.
If only N.Y.’ers could recall Eva, like the Michiganders, will recall Snyder.
Imagine the fees. Are any of these fees extracted from tax dollars?
Mercury is a high-stakes, bipartisan public strategy firm. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services that includes federal government relations, international affairs, digital influence, public opinion research, media strategy and a bipartisan grassroots mobilization network in all 50 states. Our firm is not just led by top talent — we distinguish ourselves by having senior talent deeply engaged in each project from start to finish, a promise we keep to clients. The firm has an established national presence, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida and North Carolina.
Mercury is a part of Omnicom Group Inc. Omnicom is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.
Why do “public schools” need a PR firm?
Because the 99% are under attack by the richest 1%, who see an opportunity to fleece taxpayers and steal community resources.
Check out the anti-public education propaganda at Philanthropy (Villainthropy) Roundtable.
Charter school debt returns 10-18% to Wall Street. Silicon Valley, advocates for colonialism, look at the Gates, Z-berg Bridge International Academies. It is disappointing that the plutocratic msm won’t tell the story.
Speaking of Michigan Fukushimatizer, he refused to attend the congressional hearing for the second time.
In both stories, there is a reflexive effort to blame others — the media, career civil servants. At what point does the person at the top take responsibility? How many negative media moments does it take before the person at the top says, ‘we need to re-think policy?’