The Powell Memo
Master Plan
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Corporate Strategies and Political Tides
This chapter investigates the influential role of Lewis Powell in the tobacco industry and his tactics to undermine health claims about smoking through public relations and lobbying. It captures Powell's response to societal changes in America during the late 1960s and early 1970s, and his strategic initiatives to rally corporate America against perceived threats, particularly from activists like Ralph Nader. The chapter culminates with the dramatic reading of Powell's 1971 memo, emphasizing the urgency for businesses to engage politically and protect their interests in a rapidly shifting landscape.
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