“Bad reporter! Bad!!” It’s very amusing how KBR sends out these “Media Advisories” preparing employees for the “impending attack of reporters”. Those crafty underhanded tricksters! Out to extract KBR’s sin and secrets from the innocent unsuspecting KBR employee! KBR makes these reporters sound like a seductive band of traveling Gypsies.

I also find it humorous how KBR crafts their memos to appear as if KBR HQ/Corporate has the best interest of the employee at heart. Stating they can not be forced to talked to the media. Then in the next breath stating it is against company policy to talk to the media without prior approval. So even if a KBR employee desperately wanted to talk to the media they are intimidated into silence. I would like to report that this is a corporate tactic unique to KBR but it’s not. Most corporations who have something to hide employ this method of attempting to control the media. Thank goodness it doesn’t seem to be working! Keep that information coming!

Below is a memo that was just sent out today Friday 8/27/2010 @ 9:22 AM

TO:                LOGCAP IV CTP employees at JBB
FROM:         Floyd Driver, CTP Task Order Manager
SUBJECT:   Media Advisory – Public Affairs Media Day

Today, the 103rd ESC’s  Public Affairs Office (PAO) is hosting a Media Day. Media representatives will be escorted by PAO officers to CTP work locations located on Joint Base Balad.

KBR’s public relations policy requires that all employees refer “all written or oral inquiries from individuals external to the KBR corporate Public Relations department.”  CTP’s regional contact for Public Affairs inquiries is the LOGCAP IV Project Management Office (PMO). If you are approached by the media, politely and firmly respond:  “I am not the appropriate media contact for KBR. Please contact LOGCAP IV Operations Managers, Sarah UiMhuirgheasa at 713.753-4264 or Cam White at 713-970-9690.” You may also provide the requestor with our email addresses.

CTP employees are only allowed to give media interviews after securing advanced approval from corporate communications via LOGCAP IV PMO. Notify your supervisor immediately if your are approached with requests for information or comments and/or photographed or videotaped during a Media Day visit to your work area. If a media representative tells you that a question is “off the record,” “on background,” or “for research” the information will likely still be used. The same guidance applies even if the media is accompanied by a military PAO.

If approached by a media representative, remember the following points –

• Find out who you’re talking to before engaging in a conversation.  Most media won’t identify themselves until you ask. Don’t be afraid to start off the conversation with “Who are you?” Check his/her credentials. Report their name and media affiliation to your supervisor.
• If the individual is not escorted by PAO and there is not a standard or routine need for access to your work area or service facility, then s/he should be escorted off the work site by KBR.
• Always remember an employee cannot be forced into talking to the media.

Reference corporate policy (P-GL-KBR-COM-0801, dated April 5, 2007), “All types of Media Contact are coordinated through the Corporate Communications Department, the CEO of the Company, or Company Executives. Other employees refer inquiries from media companies, organizations or representatives to Corporate Communications and obtain approval of Director of Corporate Communications before responding to Media Contact on behalf of the Company. Media Contact includes such events as interviews, press events, media alerts, media tours, and roundtable discussions.”

Floyd Driver
LOGCAP IV
CTP Task Order Manager
KBR, Inc.
APO AE 09391
Office: 281-669-XXXX