W.L. Mackenzie King: Rockefeller’s Other Public Relations Counselor.

This study profiles William Lyon Mackenzie King's role as a counselor to John D. Rockefeller Jr. in the aftermath of the bitter 1913-1914 Colorado coal strike. Mackenzie King--not his more recognized counterpart, publicist Ivy Lee--provided many of the modern public relations ideas that Rockefeller eventually adopted to alleviate tensions and improve labor relations. These included the development of the Colorado Industrial Representation Plan, a prototype company union structure that was designed to facilitate employee communications. Mackenzie King, who later served 22 years as prime minister of Canada, also advised Rockefeller on a wide range of public relations activities, including testimony before government hearings, meetings with union leaders, community philanthropy in Colorado, and Rockefeller's historic visit to Colorado in September-October 1915. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]