Add this to the cost of the Iraq War, Thanks Bush:
Erasing the Image of the Ugly American
By WILLIAM J. HOLSTEIN
Published: October 23, 2005
CORPORATE leaders need to improve the international image
of the United States because their companies' futures are
increasingly at stake, says Keith Reinhard, president of
Business for Diplomatic Action and chairman of the
advertising agency DDB Worldwide. Here are excerpts from
a conversation:
Q. Which American business sectors are feeling the effects
of a poor international image?
A. Inbound travel from other countries is off at least 1.5
percent, in terms of market share, from 2000 levels. One
share point is 7.6 million visits and $12 billion in sales,
because people who visit from other countries tend to stay
longer and spend more. That's the equivalent of 153,000 jobs
and lots of tax dollars....
.... Q. Is the war in Iraq driving the negativity?
A. That's one of four root causes. Another is the arrogance,
ignorance and insensitivity of American people. A third reason
for anti-American sentiment is the pervasiveness of American
pop culture. We're not the only source of "cool" anymore. And
the fourth reason is the effects of globalization. In
developing countries, they resent the fact that American-led
globalization has, in their minds, left them out...."
more:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/23/business/yourmoney/23advi.html
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