Arguably the biggest news story in 2010, a giant oil spill occurred. This caused 11 deaths and countless wildlife to be injured or killed by the aftermath of the spillage. Since then, British Petroleum has spent around $14 billion trying to repair the damages done and restore the Gulf to what it once was. But at this point, does it almost feel as if BP is capitalizing on its communication efforts?
Looking at it from a “pro” standpoint, the organization does play up the oil spill in practically all of its communications. The webpage dedicates itself to providing the people with detailed statistics and facts that are intended to highlight the organization’s efforts to cleaning up the oil spill as quick as possible. But the news of the Gulf is mentioned in almost every press release the company has sent out. One could gather the company is utilizing its efforts on fixing the spill to distract the community.
However, this is most likely a “con.” BP has strived to show the world that it was doing everything in its power to get this spill under control. In a recent story, the organization reported the Gulf is returning to its baseline conditions. In addition to the $14 billion used to clean up the spill, BP has spent $698 million on community restoration efforts and about $253 million in marketing and tourism campaigns as well as state-led seafood testing for the area. The company is just doing its part to cover up a terrible accident from five years ago and should not be viewed as simply capitalizing on its communication efforts.
References
Deepwater Horizon Accident and Response. (2015, January 1). Retrieved April 3, 2015.
Gulf of Mexico Restoration. (2015, January 1). Retrieved April 3, 2015.
MATTHEW E. COHLMIA II 