Wal-Mart seeking PR pros to handle reporters

An article in the New York Times this morning notes that world’s largest retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is seeking two public relations professionals with at least 10 years of experience to handle the company’s glut of media requests.

Ostensibly, these new Wal-Mart employees will also be on the front line of the company’s public relations battle, which often is fought in the business sections across America. The company has been aggressive in its attitude toward what it perceives to be negative coverage.

The Times’ Michael Barbaro writes, “The two jobs reflect how much life has changed at Wal-Mart, which has come under withering criticism over its wages, health benefits and treatment of workers. The company barely had a public relations department in the early 1990’s, but now has a staff of dozens, including a public relations war room full of former political operatives who dispute the assertions of its opponents.”

Read the story here.