Very timely, given today's lead story in the Daily News...

Nice piece, Kevin.

I enjoyed your article--nice style. That New Times quote was great.

Thanks all.

Nice piece, Mer. Roderick ... I had to laugh at the New Times reference to F-H.

Hey, has anyone actually examined the PR work that F-H has supposedly done for LADWP? I haven't had to deal with them as a writer (MTA, on the other hand...) but how hard can it be?

"Hi, we're the LADWP. We're supposed to provide clean water and electricity to our customers, at cost, since we're a propietary department of the city of Los Angeles, and publicly-owned. Please pay your bills on time. Thanks."

How demanding can that be?

That was supposed to be Mr. ...

I worked with Mr. Dowie back in the 1980s and, let's see, how do I put this? He was without a doubt the most unpleasant human being I have ever known. Of course, these were the days before Prozac, so maybe he's changed, but what people in your article described as his frank personality, we used to call unstable on good days and insane on bad ones.

I'd tell you that his nickname among the staff was Dog Dooie, but that would be immature of me. In any case, he was an embarrassment to journalism (oh the stories I could tell you!), an insult to any sane management strategy and an all around whack job.

For some reason I can only halfway explain, the fact that he's working in PR, with a corner office, Lexus and six-figure salary makes me giggle, even though I'm sure he's causing unnecessary grief for many other undeserving people. Maybe because he looks so miserable in that picture.

And you are who? Could have been a revealing comment if you'd backed it up with your name.

First of all, Kevin, I thought you did a fine job, and I wanted to salute you publicly for providing your readers with a fair & well-researched portrait of Doug and the agency. We've got a hard-working, talented group of professionals in our public affairs, corporate and marketing communications groups, and under Doug's leadership, it is no wonder we're so strong in this market. It's an exciting place to work, and I'm pleased that so many of LA's most talented communicators want to work with us.

Secondly, in answer to Mr. Smith and a few other posters, the Corporate Communications function at DWP, which we support, is vital to DWP. DWP is Los Angeles' greatest competitive advantage, and it pays many dividends to the residents of Los Angeles--including of course, reliable water and electricity at very competitive rates, but also significant support for the basic services the City provides. DWP exists in a highly regulated environment, and is able to succeed thanks to its aggressive efforts to ensure that decision-makers from Washington, DC, to Sacramento, to its customers in Los Angeles, understand how DWP works, and what is needed to keep it successful.

From managing inquiries about its assistance to the state of California during the energy crisis, to the issues of water quality, renewable power, deregulation, and homeland security, DWP's challenges over the past few years have been numerous and complex. If things had gone the wrong way on some of these issues, hundreds of millions of dollars were at stake. For an agency as large as DWP, with the entire City of Los Angeles depending on them, effective communications are essential.

We're proud that DWP has chosen Fleishman through the competitive bidding process to play an important role in its overall communications strategy, and while it is up to DWP to judge whether we have been successful, as far as Fleishman is concerned, we think the relationship adds value to the city.

this is a tough economy we're facing. hats off to anyone who can run a tight ship and command strong performance in this competitive marketplace. people who succeed in this business can't be shrinking violets. making tough business decisions and having a savvy hand at forming useful business alliances are just part of the game ...

Yeah, I should have used my real name, but, frankly, I'm a coward. I'm still eking out a living as a hack reporter at a two-bit paper in the area and don't want to take any chances with people who pay more money on ties than I do on rent.

People can choose to disagree whether Doug's personality is endearing or off-putting (and Kevin has clearly offered detail enough for the debate to continue) but the bottom line is that Doug, and the entire Fleishman-Hillard team in Los Angeles, deliver strong results for their public- and private-sector clients.

Our hallmark is honest and creative communications counsel across a number of industries. That's why our clients, and clients of other firms who know our reputation, give us high marks year after year.

Kevin did a good job profiling Dowie and the firm. If anything, Doug's frank personality is refreshing. He's a smart guy who attracts top PR talent. And his profile continues to generate attention to the hard work we do here on behalf of our clients.

As long as DWP's challenges have been both "numerous AND complex" I'm sure F-H's contract is worth the millions in ratepayers' funds that's been spent, Mr. Stodder...

Okay, so has the Times, Daily News, LADJ, LABJ, LAM, California Journal, AP, CNS, or anyone else (Laura Chick?) looked at the question of what, exactly, the DWP (and ultimately the ratepayers)has received in all this?

Just wondering...