Shared Values Initiative

A print flier created for the Council of American Muslims for Understanding, a press relations front group created and funded by the US State Department.

The Shared Values Initiative was a public relations campaign created by the U.S. State Department and directed by Charlotte Beers, a former Madison Avenue advertising executive, to persuade viewers to be more aware, open and accepting of America by dispelling myths about the treatment of Muslims.[1] The propaganda campaign was launched soon after September 11, 2001 and was intended to sell a “new” America to Muslims around the world by showing that American Muslims were living happily and freely in America without persecution. Although initially thought to be a success by the U.S. Government and Charlotte Beers’ team, the $15 million initiative was regarded as a failure.[2][3]

  1. ^ Fullerton, J. & Kendrick, A. (2006). Advertising's war on terrorism. Spokane, WA: Marquette Books.
  2. ^ Rampton, Sheldon (October 17, 2007). "Shared Values Revisited". Center for Media and Democracy.
  3. ^ Alsultany, Evelyn. "University of Michigan, Faculty: Department of American Culture (AC), Arab American Studies" (PDF). American Quarterly. The Americans Studies Association. Retrieved 28 March 2013.