PUBLIC RELATIONS SPENDING: Selected Agencies' Activities Supported by Contracts and Public Affairs Staff
Abstract
Agencies communicate with the public regarding their functions, policies, and activities. In September 2016, GAO reported that the federal government spends about $1.5 billion per year on public relations activities, carried out through advertising and public relations contracts and by public affairs employee. GAO was asked to describe the purposes and reported benefits of federal agencies' public relations investments. This report reviews (1) the activities selected agencies conducted using advertising and public relations contracts and public affairs employees, and their purposes; (2) how the level of resources the agencies devote to these activities has changed over the past decade and factors officials identified as affecting these changes; and (3) how the agencies measure results of these activities. GAO selected four case study agencies - CFPB, FEMA, NASA, and USCIS - based on factors including obligations for advertising and public relations contracts, numbers of public affairs employees, and agency missions and public interactions. GAO reviewed documentation for contracts valued at or over $150,000 from fiscal years 2012 through 2016; examined staff position descriptions, performance information, and employment data; and interviewed officials at these agencies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1176969
Entities
People
- Cale Jones
- Carol Henn
- Elise Vaughan Winfrey
- Heather Krause
- Jenny Chanley
- Joshua Miller
- Julia Kennon
- Kathleen Padulchick
- Meredith Moles
- Shari Brewster
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office