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British Petroleum continues their odd public relations campaign in the wake of last month’s disaster. They have recently pledged $25 million towards a marketing effort to promote beach season on the Florida coast. The state will receive the $25 million to run a Memorial Day campaign to assure the public that Florida’s beaches have not been affected and are safe to enjoy. In a continuing case of seriously bad luck, their announcement coincided with news from the U.S. Coast Guard that tar balls have been discovered off Key West. It has not yet been confirmed that the tar balls are from the massive oil spill in the Gulf but they are in currently being tested.

Although they have adapted their “we’re not to blame but we will clean up the mess” strategy, it remains ineffective. Another strange tactic employed by BP meant to protect their PR interests is preventing reporters and media outlets from accessing cleanup areas along the coast to report on the ongoing cleanup efforts. CBS reported that contractors from BP threatened reporters with arrest when they tried to cover the cleanup in Louisiana. This makes them appear as if they have something big to hide. If BP wants to hold on to any small shred of positive public perception that could possibly remain after this disaster, they should be working alongside the media to assure the public they are committed to cleaning up reducing the impact of the ecological disaster and rallying support to save the fragile coastal environment instead of simply sending updates in press releases.

Amid these seemingly ineffective public relations tactics, the millions BP has invested in cleaning up their mess could eventually help in their current PR nightmare. But if the oil reaches the Gulf Stream and destroys the reefs, the environmental effects will be so disastrous and widespread; all the money in the world couldn’t clean up their mess and repair their tainted image.

Tags: Bad Press, bp, Disaster, oil spill, public relations

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