Indiana hires PR firm to repair state’s damaged image

LGBT flag. Image by InSapphoWeTrust / CC BY-SA 2.0

Global PR firm Porter Novelli has been hired by Indiana’s  tourism agencies to help repair some of the damage to the state’s image caused by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that was passed at the start of the month. The act, which seemingly allowed businesses to refuse gay and lesbian people on religious grounds, caused a backlash of criticism nationwide. Chris Gahl, the vice president of marketing at Visit Indy, Indianapolis’s tourist board, said clearly the last two weeks have beat up and tarnished the state’s reputation as a welcoming place’. The state plans to spend $2 million with Porter Novelli, which has experience in major image restoration campaigns. Read more: usatoday.com