President of US Army Contractor Leonie Defends Information Operations, Discusses Media Battle Space Awareness

LONDON, May 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

A top US Defence contractor has personally spoken out against allegations made about his company in the press.

As head of the Pentagon's chief Information operations (IO), Ed Negrelli, President of Leonie Industries, was speaking out ahead of the firm's involvement in the annual Information Operations Global conference in London this June.

Negrelli was responding to ongoing debate regarding the utility of businesses centred on strategic communications. The interview can be heard online here:  http://bit.ly/KO127R

Claims made in the mainstream media earlier in the year suggested that there is "little proof" that IO campaigns are effective, and that IO contractors employed by the US military - and Leonie, specifically - are able to measure their own success.

"Leonie is required by contract to measure the effectiveness of the media campaigns that our clients conduct in support of the Afghan people," clarified Negrelli, pointing out that the capacity to do this was in fact one of the reasons that Leonie had won the contract.

Unfounded allegations were also made in the press that Leonie was responsible for a subsequent "disinformation campaign" targeting journalists, and despite vehement denial, Representative Hank Johnson of the House Armed Services Committee threatened an amendment this week to block Pentagon funding to all information operations efforts.

Negrelli stated that the press coverage "casts a negative light on the entire IO community" and went on to say that he was proud of the work that Leonie is currently carrying out for the US government and that it will continue its focus on these duties.

His comments were made ahead of Leonie's involvement in the conference, which each year assembles the international IO community to discuss latest developments, techniques, challenges and platforms.

As part of this, Leonie will be showcasing Media Battle Space Awareness, its methodology of ensuring commanders have grasp and governance of the media to assist in communicating their message and influencing the course of conflict, civil operations, and cooperation of local populations.

More information on Information Operations Global 2012, taking place from June 26-29, can be found at http://www.InformationOperationsEvent.com. Booking forms can also be downloaded from the website, or by contacting:

Email: defence@iqpc.co.uk
Tel: +44(0)207-368-9300