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Industry News  Crisis Management Crisis? What crisis? Controversial councillor... |
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Crisis? What crisis? Controversial councillor defends hiring PR help
Print - FPinfomart - Scotsman - Monday May 5th, 2008
Deposed committee chairman who blocked Trump proposal claims his situation requires special help
SIX months ago he was a little-known, if slightly eccentric, rural councillor with a predilection for cycling to work.
But Martin Ford, the chairman of Aberdeenshire Council's planning authority who stymied Donald Trump's plans for a GBP 1 billion golf resort, has hired a crisis-management public relations firm in the run-up to the public inquiry into the plans.
Mr Ford was catapulted into the headlines as the Nemesis of Donald Trump when he used his casting vote to reject the plans on 29 November last year.
Earlier this week Mr Ford and the Trump empire were again at loggerheads after the councillor for East Garioch accused the property tycoon of trying to "gag" him at the forthcoming public inquiry into the development.
Mr Ford's register of interests at the council, under the heading of gifts and hospitality, lists "consultancy services received at discounted rate from Fan Hitter PR."
John Cox, the independent councillor for Banff and Buchan who led the call for Councillor Ford to be deposed as chairman of the council's infrastructure services committee, slammed Mr Ford's decision to take on a PR firm.
He declared: "It is definitely not a sensible thing for a councillor to be doing. You have to stand or fall by your own ability.
"It is just beyond belief what councillor Ford is trying to do. Neither I nor any of my colleagues would ever contemplate such a thing but it shows the weaknesses in his case that he is having to go down this line."
Mr Cox, who was one of the seven councillors who voted in favour of the Trump development at the planning meeting, added: "At the end of the day we have to be accountable to ourselves and to the public. But Councillor Ford is a one-man show and perhaps he needs all the help he can get."
Mr Ford, however, defended his decision to accept the offer of assistance from the PR company and its boss, Caroline Weintz.
He explained that Ms Weintz had approached him to offer her help after he was removed from his post. Mr Ford said: "I really didn't think any more about it, but come the new year it was apparent that I was going to need some help."
He was swamped with demands for comments from the media and simply did not have the facilities or the time to cope with the demand.
"It has been put to me why the heck does a local councillor need a PR firm," said Mr Ford. "Well, a normal local councillor doesn't. But I am not leading the life of normal local councillor.
"I am paying for the services at a much reduced rate. It would be inconceivable for me to afford to pay a PR firm."
Ms Weintz explained: "I approached Councillor Ford on behalf of Fan Hitter PR to offer support and advice following the disgraceful removal of him from the Infrastructure Services Committee because I clearly recognised that a great injustice had been carried out and that there were huge principles of democracy at stake. This remains the case."
She added: "Fan Hitter PR specialises in crisis communications management as well as providing PR support.
"A large number of national politicians seek advice and support from public relations companies. It is unusual for local politicians to require public relations support.
"However, Councillor Ford's situation is far from normal."
WHO'S WHO IN THE MENIE ESTATE PUBLIC RELATIONS BATTLE
IN the Trump Corner: the American tycoon's organisation has enlisted the Big Partnership, one of Scotland's largest public relations firms, to deal with the media in the Menie estate planning application.
In the Ford Corner: Fan Hitter, one of Scotland's newest and smallest PR firms. Fan Hitter is headed by Caroline Weintz, the former corporate affairs manager at NHS 24.
Big, established eight years ago, employs 90 staff in four offices, with fee income of GBP 7 million a year. The company's website boast that its client list reads like a Who's Who of UK business, including Deloitte, BP and Stagecoach.
Fan Hitter has a staff of three and was formed last summer. The company's website does not list any clients, although it insists it has a number in Scotland and south of the Border.
Big's website states: "We deploy a range of core PR services including stakeholder engagement campaigns, media relations, media promotions, copywriting, online PR, corporate social responsibility strategies and activities, internal communications and crisis/ issues management.
"Big brings together wise counsel, a laser-like focus on client needs, a passion for delivery and access to some of the most sparkling PR talent you'll find anywhere."
Fan Hitter's website states: "Good or bad, words can have a substantial impact on public confidence and self morale. When words cause you a crisis, tackle the problem head on with Fan Hitter PR.
"At Fan Hitter PR we don't do spin - we do more than that - we provide top- of-the-range intelligent and knowledge-based solutions for your PR problems. We take a holistic approach to communications which draws on some of the most highly experienced and respected communications practitioners in Scotland."
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