15th Annual Kenneth Owler Symposium

Click here to view a webcast of this event.

Harris Diamond, Chief Executive Officer of Weber Shandwick, discussed the need for corporate organizations to assume an active and responsible position in shaping America’s image in the world in his keynote speech at the 15th Annual Kenneth Owler Smith Symposium on November 14. The event was sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America, the USC Annenberg Strategic Public Relations Center, and the USC Center on Public Diplomacy. His talk, “The Role of Corporate America in Improving America’s Image Abroad,” focused on how America could effectively build a strong international reputation. Diamond asserted the need for a long-term vision and strategy and identified several possible means to accomplish this goal.

He discussed the role of several organizations responsible for America’s reputation including entertainment, multinational corporations, journalism, and education. Regarding Hollywood, Diamond stressed the need abandon simplified or stereotyped images of other nationalities. He encouraged creators of entertainment content to be culturally sensitive and pay greater attention to how its products are globally perceived.

Diamond spoke of encouraging the government to create an infrastructure that would facilitate cooperation and sharing of the most successful methods and practices among multi-national companies. He suggested the creation of a “Corporation for Public Diplomacy” to enable such outreach efforts.

Diamond stressed the need to winning the hearts and minds of younger generations. He suggested that local embassies visit classrooms and he cited the need for American visas to become more accessible to international students to continue the movement of students studying in America.

He concluded by asserting that this is a long-term strategy that cannot be won with quick victories. He charged the government to carry out new initiatives to begin reshaping America’s image and encouraged American businesses and cultural enterprises to follow in a socially responsible manner.

Click here to download a transcript of Harris Diamond's speech (.pdf).

Weber Shandwick CEO Harris Diamond.

USC Professor Nicholas Cull