Seyferth Spaulding Tennyson

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This article is part of the Center for Media & Democracy's spotlight on front groups and corporate spin.

Seyferth Spaulding Tennyson Inc. (SST) is a public relations firm based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In 2007, the PR firm organized a campaign, funded by the Meijer retail giant, to secretly orchestrate a recall of elected officials in Acme Township, which apparently violated state campaign finance laws. According to local reporter Brian McGillivary, Meijer paid SST "at least $30,000 in a failed effort to remove Acme's board after years of zoning disputes over Meijer's plans to build a store along M-72 in Grand Traverse County. Meijer's public relations firm crafted recall language, devised election strategy, wrote campaign literature, and used local residents as figureheads in the recall."[1]

SST directed the campaign using front groups including Acme Taxpayers for Responsible Government and the Acme Recall Committee. "It gives me a chill, how much money they can spend to ruin other people," said Acme Clerk Dorothy Dunville, one of the public officials targeted by the company's recall campaign.

T. Michael Jackson, a retired public relations professional, filed a complaint with the Public Relations Society of America, charging that SST's actions violated the PRSA's code of ethics.[2]

Clients[3]

Banking and retailers

Commercial, Residential Builders and Engineers

Education

Environmental/Energy

Government & Associations

Health

Legal and Financial

Manufacturing

Real Estate/Development

Entertainment

Transportation

Not-for-Profit/Social Services/Arts & Culture

Contact information

275 Iron Street
Detroit, MI 48207
Phone: (313) 393-7890
Fax (313) 393-7893

40 Monroe Center NW
Suite 202
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 776-3511
Fax (616) 776-3502

Toll free phone: (800) 435-9539
Email: info AT seyferthpr.com
Website: http://www.seyferthpr.com

References

  1. Brian McGillivary, "Meijer's Secret Plan," Traverse City Record-Eagle (Michigan), December 23, 2007.
  2. T. Michael Jackson, "Forum: Meijer P.R. Firm Violated Ethics," Traverse City Record-Eagle (Michigan), December 23, 2007.
  3. Seyferth website (accessed January 4, 2008).

External links