The Pseudo-Event of Charitable Work: Uncovering Wal-Mart's Hidden Agenda

Location

CSU 201

Start Date

24-4-2006 8:45 AM

End Date

24-4-2006 10:15 AM

Student's Major

Communication Studies

Student's College

Arts and Humanities

Mentor's Name

James Dimock

Mentor's Department

Communication Studies

Mentor's College

Arts and Humanities

Description

On August 29, Hurricane Katrina slammed into Mississippi and Louisiana. But during the following days, the human, social and economic damage of Katrina was overshadowed by another story. The story of Katrina became a story about the failure of trusted safeguards, about bureaucratic red tape and about crisis in leadership. But this story, too, had its heroes and perhaps the most unlikely hero - ever - was one of the most hated corporations in America: Wal-Mart. While FEMA stalled, Wal- Mart responded. However, Wal-Mart is not as heroic as they would like us to believe, and we as consumers of not only merchandise, but also the media need to be educated as to the many ways corporations use the media to manipulate our wallets, our hearts, and our minds. Analysis of Wal-Mart's relief efforts begins with David Boorstin's theory of the 'pseudo-event' as developed in his 1961 text Images. Boorstin's theory provides a method of analysis, which distinguishes between news and public relations stunts. This method offers a framework from which Wal-Marts relief efforts can be analyzed as a PR event.

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Apr 24th, 8:45 AM Apr 24th, 10:15 AM

The Pseudo-Event of Charitable Work: Uncovering Wal-Mart's Hidden Agenda

CSU 201

On August 29, Hurricane Katrina slammed into Mississippi and Louisiana. But during the following days, the human, social and economic damage of Katrina was overshadowed by another story. The story of Katrina became a story about the failure of trusted safeguards, about bureaucratic red tape and about crisis in leadership. But this story, too, had its heroes and perhaps the most unlikely hero - ever - was one of the most hated corporations in America: Wal-Mart. While FEMA stalled, Wal- Mart responded. However, Wal-Mart is not as heroic as they would like us to believe, and we as consumers of not only merchandise, but also the media need to be educated as to the many ways corporations use the media to manipulate our wallets, our hearts, and our minds. Analysis of Wal-Mart's relief efforts begins with David Boorstin's theory of the 'pseudo-event' as developed in his 1961 text Images. Boorstin's theory provides a method of analysis, which distinguishes between news and public relations stunts. This method offers a framework from which Wal-Marts relief efforts can be analyzed as a PR event.

Recommended Citation

Thompson, Lindsey. "The Pseudo-Event of Charitable Work: Uncovering Wal-Mart's Hidden Agenda." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 24, 2006.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2006/oral-session-A/5