Eller is chairman of Public Strategies, a consulting firm that specializes in campaign and crisis management. He worked as deputy assistant to the president and director of media affairs in the Clinton White House, and later handled public relations for Bridgestone/Firestone during the Ford recall controversy.
“Our proven ‘war room’ operating model helps companies rapidly respond to situations that threaten reputation and constrain their license to operate,” the firm boasts on its website. “Our experts have been forged in the heat of hard fought political campaigns, high profile litigation, natural disasters and product recalls.”
GM spokesman Greg Martin confirmed the move, noting that the company is “drawing upon those who have deep experience and expertise in these matters,” according to a statement published by Bloomberg.
The automaker’s new CEO, Mary Barra, was grilled by legislators earlier this week during Senate and House hearings. Officials have accused the company of maintaining a “culture of cover up” and criminal deception, potentially hiding the true scope of deaths that may have been caused by the faulty switches.
Promising to do things differently and put safety as its highest priority, the company has regularly announced new recalls — citing defects in nearly seven million vehicles within the past month. The apparent crisis has yet to have a tangible negative effect on sales, however Eller’s addition to the team suggests the company is worried that its current actions may not be enough to prevent a public-relations disaster with long-term consequences.
Other experts working on the situation include Kenneth Feinberg, architect of the 9/11 victim compensation fund, along with Lehman Brothers bankruptcy investigator Anton Valukas.
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