Lobbyists relaunch more aggressive publicity campaign for wind

A re-launched publicity campaign will see the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) move from the defensive to being bolder and more aggressive in putting its message across, says the association's director of communications, Charles Anglin. Myths put out by wind's opponents come in all forms, he says. "But we cannot defeat these myths on the defensive. The industry must engage on its own ground." A reinvigorated "Embrace the Wind" campaign -- which was first launched in 2004 -- will identify and encourage local wind champions to show their support for projects at local level. Anglin reasons the industry will be better equipped to lobby politicians once it is in a position to demonstrate the proved popular grassroots support for wind. In its government lobbying, the BWEA is currently talking exclusively to officials in Westminster, he adds. "We need to be talking to all of the devolved assemblies and to be more effective with the media; not only large nationals, but the consumer press, tabloids and regional press," he says. Today the industry has an "atrocious" relationship with the regional press, he adds.