On July 8th, 2012 The Sparrow Project was honored to play a role in coordinating, promoting, and developing a media strategy for an action targeting a Romney 2012 Campaign fundraiser at the Southampton home of billionaire David Koch. This action was part of a non-partisan coalition effort with widespread support from both mainstream and grassroots groups who wished to challenge the pervasive role of Koch money on policy making.
In the days that followed the action, Koch’s Public Sector offices in Washington D.C. launched a venomous (and bizarrely unprofessional) counter attack against Sparrow Project cofounder, Andy Stepanian. Shortly thereafter Koch Industries made an announcement that David Koch would be attending the Republican National Convention as a delegate for the state of New York. To coincide with David Koch’s attendance at the RNC the Sparrow Project released a detailed counter-response to the published attacks Koch Industries released through their press office.
While Mitt Romney was scheduled to make four appearances at Southampton events on July 8th, the coalition made a conscious effort to not have protestors attend any events other than the fundraiser at David Koch’s home. This was done in an attempt to assure that the narrative would not become preoccupied with Mitt Romney but rather stay focused on the issue of money in politics, specifically money with strings attached to the petrochemical industry, the military industrial complex, and similar business interests that would place capital over compassion and profit over people. As part of the action’s media strategy a list of ten talking points related to the Koch brothers was printed up and handed out to those who attended. This talking point sheet stirred Koch Companies Public Sector President and COO Phillip Ellender into releasing an immediate response through their DC press office challenging each of our listed talking points and went further to single out Sparrow Project cofounder, Andy Stepanian as a “convicted terrorist” wholly responsible for the demonstration. You can read our exchange with Koch Industries HERE.
While only 200 people attended the action, a focused media strategy, creative visuals, and an airplane-pulled banner that read “Mitt Romney has a Koch Problem” made the action a success. In the week that followed the action we received favorable news coverage from hundreds of national media outlets, including 7 separate write-ups in The New York Times. For background we would encourage you to read Natasha Lennard’s article for Salon, Michael Tracey’s coverage for Mother Jones or Jessica Yellin’s report for CNN, as these phenomenal pieces do a great job of communicating the action’s mission as well as the sentiments of those who participated. We have also included a long-form roundup of media coverage below.
• Publicist: Andy Stepanian (with support from Fenton Agency)
• Read the press release HERE
• Read more related articles HERE
[topcolumn]MEDIA COVERAGE[/topcolumn]
Romney Mines the Hamptons for Campaign Cash – New York Times
Romney Donors Out in Force in Hamptons – New York Times
The Republicans’ $3 Million Weekend in the Hamptons – New York Times
Mitt Romney’s Hamptons Weekend – New York Times
Protesters raise cloud of sand as Romney raises $3 million in N.Y. – Los Angeles Times
Mitt Romney’s $50,000-a-Head Fundraiser at David Koch’s Hamptons Mansion – Vanity Fair
Crashing David Koch’s party – Salon
Billionaire Koch Comes Out Publicly For Romney With $50,000-A-Head Hamptons Party – Forbes
‘Mitt Romney Has A Koch Problem’ Say Protesters At Billionaire’s Hamptons Fundraiser – Forbes
Romney’s Hamptons Fundraising Blitz Draws Beach Protest – Bloomberg Businessweek
Protesters demonstrate outside of Koch fund-raiser for Romney – CNN
Liberal group to protest Romney-Koch fundraiser – CBS, Political Hotsheet
Romney hosts three fundraisers in the Hamptons – CBS, Political Hotsheet
Protest Greets Mitt Romney at Hamptons Fundraiser – ABC News, The Note
In Hamptons, protesters converge on Romney fundraisers by air and land – MSNBC, First Read
Mitt Romney’s Koch Problem – Huffington Post
DNC ad hits Romney over Koch-hosted Hamptons fundraiser – The Hill
Romney fundraiser draws protests – Washington Examiner
Koch Brothers: N. Y. fundraiser for Mitt Romney draws protestors – The Christian Science Monitor
Creative Protest Action to Greet David Koch’s Elite Fundraiser for Mitt Romney – AlterNet
Mitt Romney’s offshore accounts draw more fire – Boston Globe
Protest Greets Mitt Romney at Hamptons Fundraiser – ABC News
Activists Protest Romney’s ‘Koch Problem’ – The Nation
Protesting the Kochs – Politico
Protests at Romney fundraisers in Hamptons – Newsday
John Boehner Cannot Make People Love Mitt Romney – New York Magazine
Protesters Assail Romney’s “Koch Addiction” Outside Hamptons Fundraiser – Gothamist
Starring Mitt Romney as Gordon Gekko – Slate
Romney in the Hamptons: The View From Outside the Gates – Mother Jones
Occupiers invade LI Mitt meet – New York Post
Romney’s Hamptons Fundraising Blitz Draws Beach Protest – Business Week
Protesters Crash Mitt Romney’s Hamptons Fundraiser – Southampton Patch
The Best Quotes From Guests at Romney’s Hamptons Fundraisers – The Atlantic
Hundreds Protest Romney Fundraisers in Hamptons – Democracy Now!
Hilarious Photos Of Protesters Crashing Mitt Romney’s Fancy Hamptons Fundraisers – Business Insider
Koch brothers’ fundraiser for Romney draws protest in NY – Newsday
Mitt Romney’s Koch Problem – MSNBC Rachel Maddow Show
Protest Greets Mitt Romney at Hamptons Fundraiser – ABC News
Body image, eating disorders, and Romney’s ‘Koch problem’ – Citizen Radio
Romney Says Wealthy Donors ‘By And Large…Doing Just Fine’ – Fox 2, St. Louis
Modest Occupy Protests Mark Romney Hamptons Trip – Buzzfeed
Romney dodges protests for a $3m day out in the Hamptons – The Independent (UK)
Police Barricade Meadow Lane For Romney Fundraiser – Southampton Patch
Romney draws big donors at events on Long Island – Minneapolis Star Tribune
Demonstrators March Against Koch, Romney in the Hamptons – Patch
Romney’s Pricey Fundraisers in Hamptons – The Young Turks
Protesters Crash Mitt Romney’s Fundraiser! – Global Grind
Protesters crash billionaire Koch $50,000-a-head bash for Romney – Digital Journal
Romney confronted in the air, on land, and at sea! – People’s World
Dems take on dark money – Salon
A Street Art Exhibit; A Mitt Romney Fundraiser/Protest – Hamptons Curbed
Protesters To Descend On Romney Visit – East Hampton Star
Village Police Prep for Romney Fundraiser, Protest – East Hampton Patch
You’re Invited to Crash David Koch’s Southampton Mitt Romney Fundraiser – ArtInfo
Crashing Romney’s Koch Party – WBAI Newshour
Mitt Romney To Fundraise In The Hamptons This Weekend – Dan’s Papers
Protesters To Disrupt Koch Brothers’ Romney Fundraiser On Long Island – Gothamist
Mitt Romney Will Fundraise In The Hamptons On Sunday – 27 East
Grupos pro justicia económica preparan protesta contra Mitt Romney – Huffington Post Voices (Spanish)
Roundup: Nothing Inspires Confidence More Than A Helmet – Politicker
Creative Protest Action to Greet David Koch’s Elite Fundraiser for Mitt Romney – Alternet
Protesters Turn Out At Romney Fundraiser On Meadow Lane – 27 East
Dems want Romney to explain offshore accounts – Long Island Business News
Koch’s host Fundraiser for Mitt Romney, Occupy Wall Street joins them – CNN Ireport
“GOV RICK SNYDER’S GOT A KOCH PROBLEM!”Just like Mitt Romney – Schlockumentaries
Protest Against David Koch at a Fundraiser for Romney – NYC Raw Videos
Does Mitt Romney Have a Koch Problem? – MoveOn.org
Protest plans for Romney’s visit to David Koch’s Long Island home – Capital New York
Progressives Plan to Crash Romney’s Fundraiser at Koch’s Southampton Estate – SouthHampton Patch
Crashing the Hamptons: How $25 Billion is Being Used Against You – Farmingdale Patch
The $50K-a-head fundraiser/dinner David Koch is throwing for Mitt Romney at his Southampton estate next weekend might need a few more place settings – Curbed Hamptons
PLAN TO CRASH ROMNEY’S LONG ISLAND FUNDRAISER – LI Politics
OWS, Liberal Groups Plan Protest At Koch Fundraiser – Capital Tonight
You’re invited to a Koch Party! – NY Alt News
Protesters To Disrupt Koch Brothers’ Romney Fundraiser On Long Island – Legal News
Progressives Plan to Crash Romney’s Fundraiser at Koch’s Southampton Estate – East Hampton Patch
19 Million Could Turn Out to Protest Koch Fundraiser for Romney in the Hamptons July 8 – Irregular Times
‘Mister 1% Himself’ Holds Fundraiser with the Bishop of Pomposity on the Hamptons – Freak Out Nation
Romney beats Obama in fund-raising again – Herald Tribune
YOU’RE INVITED …TO A KOCH PARTY! – Occupy.com
You’re Invited…to a Koch Party! – The Occupied Wall Street Journal
Protesters Turn Out At Romney Fundraiser On Meadow Lane – The Hamptons Press
Protesters Crash Mitt Romney’s Hamptons Fundraiser – Southampton Patch
Police Barricade Meadow Lane For Romney Fundraiser – Southampton Patch
Progressives Plan to Crash Romney’s Fundraiser at Koch’s Southampton Estate – Southampton Patch
Village Police Prep for Romney Fundraiser, Protest – East Hampton Patch
ROMNEY FUNDRAISER PROTEST – Oneida Dispatch
‘Mitt Romney Has A Koch Problem,’ Say Protesters – Towleroad
[topcolumn]NEGATIVE PRESS[/topcolumn]
Koch Respects The Right of All Americans to Support Their Political Candidates – KOCH Industries
Occupiers, Convicted Terrorist to Protest at Private Residence of David Koch – Breitbart.com
Demonizing the Kochs – The Washington Times
One of America’s unrepentant terrorists to lead Romney protest – Red State
Anti-Romney Protest Reveals MoveOn.Org’s Terminal Hypocrisy – The National Review
Conservatives to Protest Progressives Picketing Romney – Patch (on counter protest)
One of America’s unrepentant terrorists to lead Romney protest – Examiner