Berman and Company
Encyclopedia
Berman and Company is a Washington, D.C.
based public affairs and non-profit management firm founded by lawyer
and lobbyist Rick Berman
. In addition to its public relations
clients, Berman and Company runs several industry-funded non-profit organizations such as the Center for Consumer Freedom
and the Center for Union Facts
. The non-profits have worked on issues including obesity, health care, food safety, labor law, alcohol, and government regulation. The firm is known for campaigns that include aggressive advertising, opposition research
, and online communications.
profile, Berman and Company employs 28 people, and brings in $10 million per year.
The company has created a number of non-profits, including the Center for Consumer Freedom
and the Center for Union Facts. These non-profits have attacked organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving
, the Center for Science in the Public Interest
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teachers unions, labor unions and trial lawyers among others.
obtained a list from 2002 of the companies that fund the Center for Consumer Freedom. Among the parties named were Coca-Cola, Tyson Foods
, Outback Steakhouse
, Wendy's, Brinker International
(parent company of Chili's
and Macaroni Grill
), and Arby's
.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
based public affairs and non-profit management firm founded by lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and lobbyist Rick Berman
Richard Berman
Richard Berman is a Washington, D.C.-based lawyer, public relations executive, and lobbyist. Through his public affairs firm Berman and Company, Berman runs several industry-funded non-profit organizations such as the Center for Consumer Freedom and the Center for Union Facts...
. In addition to its public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
clients, Berman and Company runs several industry-funded non-profit organizations such as the Center for Consumer Freedom
Center for Consumer Freedom
The Center for Consumer Freedom , formerly the Guest Choice Network, is a non-profit American lobby group. It describes itself as "dedicated to protecting consumer choices and promoting common sense," and defending "the right of adults and parents to choose how they live their lives, what they eat...
and the Center for Union Facts
Center for Union Facts
The Center for Union Facts is an interest group critical of union officials’ activities. It is one of several advocacy and public relations groups created by Richard Berman...
. The non-profits have worked on issues including obesity, health care, food safety, labor law, alcohol, and government regulation. The firm is known for campaigns that include aggressive advertising, opposition research
Opposition research
Opposition research is:# The term used to classify and describe efforts of supporters or paid consultants of a political candidate to legally investigate the biographical, legal or criminal, medical, educational, financial, public and private administrative and or voting records of the opposing...
, and online communications.
Operations
According to a 2006 USA TodayUSA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
profile, Berman and Company employs 28 people, and brings in $10 million per year.
The company has created a number of non-profits, including the Center for Consumer Freedom
Center for Consumer Freedom
The Center for Consumer Freedom , formerly the Guest Choice Network, is a non-profit American lobby group. It describes itself as "dedicated to protecting consumer choices and promoting common sense," and defending "the right of adults and parents to choose how they live their lives, what they eat...
and the Center for Union Facts. These non-profits have attacked organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a non-profit organization in the United States that seeks to stop drunk driving, support those affected by drunk driving, prevent underage drinking, and overall push for stricter alcohol policy...
, the Center for Science in the Public Interest
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Center for Science in the Public Interest is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit watchdog and consumer advocacy group focusing on nutritional education and awareness.-History and funding:...
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teachers unions, labor unions and trial lawyers among others.
Clients
Though Berman and Company does not publicly name specific clients, they admit to working with companies in the food, restaurant, retail and beverage industries. 60 Minutes60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
obtained a list from 2002 of the companies that fund the Center for Consumer Freedom. Among the parties named were Coca-Cola, Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. is a multinational corporation based in Springdale, Arkansas, that operates in the food industry. The company is the world's second largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork only behind Brazilian JBS S.A., and annually exports the largest percentage of beef out of...
, Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse is an American casual dining restaurant chain based in Tampa, Florida with over 1200 locations in 22 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It was founded in February 1988 in Tampa by Bob Basham, Chris T...
, Wendy's, Brinker International
Brinker International
Brinker International, Inc. , is the parent company of Chili's and Maggiano's Little Italy.-History:It was founded in 1975 as Chili's Bar and Grill, purchased by restaurateur Norman E. Brinker in 1983 and rechristened Brinker International in 1990; it now has more than 1,500 restaurants worldwide...
(parent company of Chili's
Chili's
Chili's Grill & Bar is a restaurant chain founded by Larry Lavine. The chain has more than 1400 casual dining restaurants, mostly located in the United States and Canada...
and Macaroni Grill
Romano's Macaroni Grill
Romano's Macaroni Grill is an Italian-style chain of casual dining restaurants with locations throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The first restaurant was founded by Texas restaurateur Philip J. Romano in Leon Springs, Texas, on April 19, 1988. Brinker International bought the...
), and Arby's
Arby's
Arby's is a fast food restaurant chain in the United States and Canada. Roark Capital Group owns 81.5% of the company, with Wendy's Company owning the other 18.5%. It is primarily known for selling roast beef sandwiches and curly fries. The Arby's menu also includes chicken sandwiches, appetizers,...
.
External links
- Berman and Company - official site
- UnionFacts.com - anti-unionUnion bustingUnion busting is a wide range of activities undertaken by employers, their proxies, and governments, which attempt to prevent the formation or expansion of trade unions...
site run by Berman and Company