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From Drilled: The Big Oil Origins of Corporate Free Speech
Dec 3, 2024
Robert Bruhl, an environmental sociologist from Brown University, delves into the intriguing origins of corporate free speech, tracing it back to Mobil Oil's Herb Schmertz in the 1970s. They discuss how pivotal Supreme Court cases like Bellotti and Citizens United reshaped corporate influence in politics. Bruhl examines the motivations behind oil companies' public relations strategies, questioning their true commitment to social responsibility. The conversation also touches on the implications of corporate personhood and the challenges faced during the energy crisis.
34:30
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Quick takeaways
- Herb Schmertz's introduction of 'affinity of purpose marketing' in the 1970s revolutionized how corporations engage with social causes and public perception.
- Mobil Oil's influence on landmark Supreme Court cases profoundly reshaped corporate free speech, enabling unprecedented political advertising and corporate influence in democracy.
Deep dives
The Impact of Corporate Image Management
Herb Schmertz, a former VP of Public Affairs for Mobile Oil, revolutionized how corporations manage their public image, particularly during the 1970s oil crisis. He introduced the concept of 'affinity of purpose marketing', which aimed to associate the company with social causes and public policy issues rather than just product sales. By sponsoring cultural events and producing opinion pieces for major publications, Schmertz positioned Mobile as a socially responsible entity, seeking to humanize the corporation. This strategic transformation was crucial not just for improving public perception but also for shaping political narratives that would favor corporate interests in the long run.
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