From the UK comes this story about the people who brought you flying surveillance drones wanting to lift their public image.
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association – yes they have a representative body for drones other than the UK Parliament - has recommended that these flying spies should be shown to "benefit mankind in general”.
They’d like them to “be decorated with humanitarian-related advertisements, and be painted bright colours to distance them from those used in warzones”.
OK, these are spy drones, not the armed version that take out Taliban warlords. But if they’re being used for surveillance and aren’t supposed to be seen, what’s the point of them carrying advertising?
If you hadn’t thought much about how PR could improve the public image of surveillance drones you’re not alone. The Poms have a far more sophisticated view of these things than most people, with almost as many closed circuit TVs in their public places as churches and ruined castles.
There’s even a UK website that keeps tabs on the flying cameras.
If you think it odd that such a specialised industry sector should be worried about PR, don’t.
Public relations agencies are even employed by all sorts of organisations. The eastern European state of Kazakhstan brought in PR after its image was allegedly trashed by the Borat movie.
A British lobbying firm was even brought on board to run a social media campaign using children to attack Sting after he cancelled a concert in their country.
(Personally, I think the kids gota reprieve when Sting was a no show but I wouldn't say that publicly.)
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