Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
Wal-Mart Reportedly Starts PR Strategy to Repair Image
Aired February 02, 2004 - 06:46 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Now it's time for a little "Business Buzz." The world's largest retailer launches a massive PR campaign.
Carrie Lee has more live from the Nasdaq market site.
Good morning -- Carrie.
CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Wal-Mart Stores is tired of critics who say it's bent on destroying small town America, driving down wages and shipping jobs to foreign sweatshops. Wal-Mart is also among the most sued, as far as big companies, and dozens of cases claiming sex discrimination and wage violations have stained the company's image. Even "Playboy" magazine called Wal-Mart's headquarters the epicenter of retailing's evil empire.
So now Wal-Mart is striking back with a tough new public relations campaign. Officials at the company have started firing off letters to the editor responding to criticism. The company has also started a new ad campaign showcasing women managers and others who have benefited from working there. And even store employees, unprompted, have taken it upon themselves to write some letters, no directive from headquarters.
So, Carol, we'll see if this campaign works. We'll see.
COSTELLO: Interesting.
Quick look at the futures -- Carrie.
LEE: Things looking pretty strong this morning. We did see a bit of selling last week. In fact, the Dow, the Nasdaq, the S&P 500 losing ground for the second week in a row. This morning, futures looking bright though, as I said.
Halliburton, one stock in focus today. "The Wall Street Journal" reporting the company allegedly overcharged more than $16 million from yields at a single U.S. military base in Kuwait during the first seven months of the Iraq war. Of course these allegations come amid other inquiries into possible gasoline and other charges regarding contract kickbacks, so Halliburton in focus -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Carrie Lee live from the Nasdaq market site.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 2, 2004 - 06:46 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Now it's time for a little "Business Buzz." The world's largest retailer launches a massive PR campaign.
Carrie Lee has more live from the Nasdaq market site.
Good morning -- Carrie.
CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Wal-Mart Stores is tired of critics who say it's bent on destroying small town America, driving down wages and shipping jobs to foreign sweatshops. Wal-Mart is also among the most sued, as far as big companies, and dozens of cases claiming sex discrimination and wage violations have stained the company's image. Even "Playboy" magazine called Wal-Mart's headquarters the epicenter of retailing's evil empire.
So now Wal-Mart is striking back with a tough new public relations campaign. Officials at the company have started firing off letters to the editor responding to criticism. The company has also started a new ad campaign showcasing women managers and others who have benefited from working there. And even store employees, unprompted, have taken it upon themselves to write some letters, no directive from headquarters.
So, Carol, we'll see if this campaign works. We'll see.
COSTELLO: Interesting.
Quick look at the futures -- Carrie.
LEE: Things looking pretty strong this morning. We did see a bit of selling last week. In fact, the Dow, the Nasdaq, the S&P 500 losing ground for the second week in a row. This morning, futures looking bright though, as I said.
Halliburton, one stock in focus today. "The Wall Street Journal" reporting the company allegedly overcharged more than $16 million from yields at a single U.S. military base in Kuwait during the first seven months of the Iraq war. Of course these allegations come amid other inquiries into possible gasoline and other charges regarding contract kickbacks, so Halliburton in focus -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Carrie Lee live from the Nasdaq market site.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
