Author Archives: Virtual Vantage Points

48C = Clean Energy, Made in America

Bob BissenIn remarks at the World Renewable Energy Forum in Denver yesterday, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu called on Congress to extend the 48C Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit (“48C”). At the same time, President Obama included the extension of 48C in his “to-do list” for Congress that he released yesterday. Enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the stimulus bill), 48C provided a 30-percent manufacturing tax credit for qualified investments in advanced energy projects to support new, expanded or retrofitted domestic manufacturing facilities. The tax credit was spread among 183 manufacturing facilities across 43 states and, according to the White House, was matched by $5.4 billion in private-sector funding.
Posted on May 17, 2012 By Virtual Vantage Points
Categories  Energy & Renewables | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Diversity in PR – Why Don’t Minorities See the Opportunity?

Elena Garcia I was recently speaking to a diverse group of students interested in careers in public relations. I asked for a show of hands to see how many have families that know about or encouraged them to pursue this field. Not one student raised a hand. Like many minorities, I was encouraged to pursue a traditional career: law, medicine, education. I remember the bewildered look on my parents’ faces when I told them that I was going to major in personnel management and labor relations. They wanted to know how I would be able to support myself. And how would they explain this to my grandparents and other family members back home?
Posted on May 11, 2012 By Virtual Vantage Points
Categories  Corporate Responsibility Musings | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Riding the Olympic Wave

[caption id="attachment_2264" align="alignleft" width="156" caption="Courtesy LOCOG"]Olympic Stadium[/caption]With just 78 days to go before the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, there is much debate in the communication world about how businesses can benefit from the “Olympic factor” to build brand recognition. For sponsors, the focus is on deriving the most value from the investment, and for companies that haven’t jumped on the sponsorship bandwagon, there is the question of whether there is still time to “ride the Olympic wave.”
Posted on May 10, 2012 By Virtual Vantage Points
Categories  Sports | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Reaction to the Queen’s Speech

APCO experts react to the Queen's Speech from three political perspectives: Lionel Zetter (Conservative), Michael Burrell (Liberal Democrat) and Steve Bates (Labour) A Conservative Perspective – Lionel Zetter, senior counsellor, London Even the Queen looked bored delivering her Gracious Address. Not only were there no surprises, but her usual travel itinerary to far-flung global destinations [...]
Posted on May 9, 2012 By Virtual Vantage Points
Categories  UK Politics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

APCO’s Analysis of the French Presidential Election

APCO's experts in Paris compiled an in-depth analysis of yesterday's French presidential election including major factors contributed to President-elect Hollande's victory, the roles of the French president and Hollande's agenda for major sectors and upcoming international meetings. You can read the analysis in English or French.
Posted on May 7, 2012 By Virtual Vantage Points
Categories  European Politics Government | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Young Female Voters Fed Up with the “War on Women”

APCO's 2012 election coverageIn response to the “War on Women” between Democrats and Republicans, Ann Romney entered the campaign spotlight this month, claiming that women are primarily focused on the economy and are “angry” about the debt their government is leaving for their children. Truth be told, Mrs. Romney is only half-right about women’s sentiments. Yes, women of all ages are angry, all right – but the anger of younger women voters is rooted more in the frustration of wanting to focus on the economy, and instead having to turn, once again, to the women’s issues of yesteryear.
Posted on May 1, 2012 By Virtual Vantage Points
Categories  U.S. Elections Women and Girls | Tagged , , | Leave a comment