Talk:Geoff Morrell (spokesperson)

A few suggestions for this article
Hi. I have three suggestions for this article for which I am hoping to get impartial input and help with. I would first like to introduce myself: my name is Arturo and I am BP's representative on Wikipedia. Because of my connection to the subject, I will not make any edits to this article and will leave the final decision on what edits should be made to other editors.

Employment at BP
This brings me to my first suggestion. Geoff Morrell was hired as the head of communications for BP America in 2011 and was recently appointed as BP's senior vice president of U.S. Communications and External Affairs, however this is not mentioned in his article. This older Politico article verifies when Geoff joined the company, and this Politico article from last week confirms his recent promotion. I would suggest adding this information to the "Professional career" section and to the article's introduction. For the "Professional career" section, I would suggest a short sentence along the lines of:
 * In September 2011, Morrell joined BP as the company's head of US communications and in 2013 became the company's senior vice president of US communications and external affairs.


 * Done-- D kriegls  ( talk to me! ) 00:04, 18 September 2013 (UTC)

The Negotiator
Geoff had a small part in the 1998 movie The Negotiator playing himself as a news reporter. I've found a Chicago Sun-Times source that confirms this, though I haven't been able to find a free version to share here. If anyone has access to Highbeam you can view the article here. The relevant text reads:
 * A negotiator note: CBS reporter Geoff Morrell hit the L.A. premiere of the Kevin Spacey-Samuel L. Jackson film "The Negotiator" last week because . . . Morrell was in it.
 * To wit: Morrell not only got to walk down the red carpet, but he was stunned at his large-screen image as a WBBM-Channel 2 reporter.

Given the confines of the section headings in the current article I would suggest adding this information to the "Professional career" section so it fits in chronologically. Here is what I suggest:
 * While working as for WBBM-TV in Chicago, Morrell appeared in the 1998 movie The Negotiator playing himself as a news reporter.


 * Done-- D kriegls  ( talk to me! ) 00:35, 18 September 2013 (UTC)

Change of article name
Geoff Morrell is not commonly known or referred to as "Geoff S. Morrell", and it is likely that his middle initial was added to the title to differentiate it from the Geoff Morrell (actor) article. I'd like to suggest changing the title of this article to "Geoff Morrell (spokesperson)". This would remove the need for the "S." that is not commonly part of his name and would better explain the subject of the article. To help with this request, I will add a requested moves template below, also. In addition to moving the article, I suggest that the "S." can also be removed from his name in the introduction.

Thank you in advance for reviewing these suggestions. Again I'm looking to hear what others think of these potential changes. If you agree that these changes are appropriate I hope you will go ahead and make them. If you have any questions I'll be watching this talk page. Thanks. Arturo at BP (talk) 22:20, 10 September 2013 (UTC)
 * Done-- D kriegls  ( talk to me! ) 23:59, 17 September 2013 (UTC)
 * Hi Dkriegls, thank you for your quick reply and help here. All the changes look good to me and I really appreciate you taking care of some of the other organization and sourcing issues with the article.


 * Regarding the added details about Geoff's role at BP, I have a small further request. Given that he has become well-known for this, too, in addition to his prior role at the Department of Defense, would you be willing to slightly alter the final sentence of the introduction to note that after he left that role in 2011 he joined BP? Would you also be able to update the Geoff Morrell disambiguation page with the new page name? Thanks. Arturo at BP (talk) 22:18, 18 September 2013 (UTC)
 * No problem. Done. D kriegls  ( talk to me! ) 03:29, 19 September 2013 (UTC)
 * Thank you very much. I've closed the request edit tag at the top of this message. Arturo at BP (talk) 16:52, 26 September 2013 (UTC)

Several more suggestions for this article
Hi. I have a few more requests to clean up and improve this article. Since this article is mostly about Geoff's career, I've broken these requests down by employer so they are easier to follow and locate in the article. While this might look like a lot, these are mostly minor updates and corrections. Here are my suggestions:

WSET
Geoff's employment at the WSET station is mentioned, however the location is listed as "Roanoke, Virginia", but it would be more accurate to say that he was a reporter in "Lynchburg-Roanoke, Virginia". This is supported by the source used and is how the location is listed in the WSET-TV article. Can this be corrected?

WBBM
This portion of the article states that Geoff left WBBM "when his contract expired", however the source does not say anything about his contract expiring and according to Geoff this is untrue. Can this be revised to say simply that he "left WBBM-TV in early 2000 and joined ABC News"?

ABC
I would like to suggest expanding the information about Geoff's time at ABC. I've found this American Journalism Review source that mentions that he was a White House television correspondent for 4 years while at ABC. Would it be possible to add this in?

Department of Defense
First, the introduction states that Geoff left the Department of Defense in June 2011, however he actually left the position in July. The source currently used to support this was published in June of 2011, which is how I believe this error was introduced, but if you read the source it says:
 * So I plan to relinquish my responsibilities on Thursday and will leave the Pentagon for good in July to focus on considering what comes next for me and my family.

Can this be corrected?

Second, if editors think it is appropriate to include, I think that it might add context to the article to note in the "Career" section that Geoff served two presidents during his time as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. In this Politico source it says:
 * He covered the White House for ABC News, then was Pentagon press secretary throughout the tenure of Defense Secretary Robert Gates, spanning two presidencies and consumed by two wars.

What do others think about including this?

Third, this section does not include any information about why Geoff left the Department of Defense, so the statement that he was replaced by George Little is without context. The U.S. Department of Defense source, already in use in the article, could be added as a citation to the section to note that Geoff left the Department of Defense when then-Secretary of Defense Robert Gates retired. As part of the change of administration, he was succeeded by Little. What do others think of this?

BP
When Geoff first joined BP, in addition to being the head of U.S. communications he was also given the title of vice president. I was able to find this new source that includes this information. Can this be added in?

Lastly, Geoff was promoted to senior vice president in September of this year. This is supported by the source currently in use, could the month be added in since "2013" on its own is very broad?

Thanks for reviewing these suggestions. As with my request above these are all suggestions and I'm looking to hear what others think of these potential changes. Again, I won't make any edits to the article myself because I am BP's representative on Wikipedia. If you think these suggestions will improve the article I hope you will go ahead and make the updates. Thanks. Arturo at BP (talk) 16:56, 26 September 2013 (UTC)
 * All done I think. What to do with the template now? Johnbod (talk) 18:58, 12 December 2013 (UTC)
 * Hi Johnbod. Thank you very much for your help here. I noticed that the parts of Geoff's article related to his time at the Department of Defense, specific requests here, were not updated. Did you have any thoughts on my requested edits? Let me know if I can answer any questions for you. Thanks. Arturo at BP (talk) 00:05, 13 December 2013 (UTC)
 * Added resignation bit, not the 2 wars. Johnbod (talk) 12:10, 13 December 2013 (UTC)
 * Thanks. Could you have the first paragraph of the article reflect July and not June as his departure month just as you did lower in the article? Arturo at BP (talk) 13:41, 14 December 2013 (UTC)

Help updating "Professional career"
I am posting this information to see if any editors would be willing to enhance the "Professional career" section at the end of the article to further explain Geoff Morrell's current role with BP: As BP's representative on Wikipedia, I do not directly edit articles relating to the company. Would someone be willing to review my proposal and, if it seems OK, add the sentence or information from the sentence to the live article? I would be happy to answer any questions. Thanks. Arturo at BP (talk) 19:55, 25 September 2015 (UTC)
 * As head of communications and external affairs, Morrell is in charge of government and media relations, internal communications, community affairs and philanthropy in the U.S.

Done. Nothing too controversial about the content or source. Thanks for not editing it yourself! -- D kriegls  ( talk to me! ) 06:41, 27 September 2015 (UTC)
 * Thank you, Dkriegls. If you are willing to look at another request of mine, I have some small updates for the BP article that I have been trying to find help with. Thanks. Arturo at BP (talk) 14:37, 28 September 2015 (UTC)

External links modified
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I have just modified 2 external links on Geoff Morrell (spokesperson). Please take a moment to review my edit. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple FaQ for additional information. I made the following changes:
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20131214145715/http://www.defense.gov/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4847 to http://www.defense.gov/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4847
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20131214145804/http://www.defense.gov/bios/biographydetail.aspx?biographyid=154 to http://www.defense.gov/bios/biographydetail.aspx?biographyid=154

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Update for professional career
This month, Geoff Morrell was promoted to Global Head of Communications & External Affairs at BP. He previously was head of U.S. Communications & External Affairs. I am posting this request to see if editors will update the final sentence of the "Professional career" section as follows:


 * In August 2017, Morrell became head of group communications and external affairs, where he is in charge of BP’s global government and media relations, internal communications and community affairs.

As a reminder, or for anyone new to this page, I am BP's representative on Wikipedia and therefore have a conflict of interest. I do not directly edit articles relating to the company. Can an editor review my request and make the updates? I am happy to discuss any questions. Thanks. Arturo at BP (talk) 14:58, 15 August 2017 (UTC)
 * Dkriegls, would you mind taking a look at this small request? You previously assisted with some edit requests of mine on this page in 2015. I am BP's representative on Wikipedia and therefore have a conflict of interest. I do not directly edit articles relating to the company. Thanks. Arturo at BP (talk) 18:22, 6 September 2017 (UTC)


 * Done. Phrasing matches cited articles. D kriegls  ( talk to me! ) 02:21, 10 September 2017 (UTC)
 * Thank you for reviewing and making the edit, Dkriegls. As I'd intended the new wording to replace the previous final sentence of the section, the following sentence may now need updating or removed, depending on which you think is most appropriate: "As head of communications and external affairs, Morrell is in charge of government and media relations, internal communications, community affairs and philanthropy in the U.S." Could you take a look at this? Thanks. Arturo at BP (talk) 15:09, 14 September 2017 (UTC)
 * Dkriegls, Thank you for finishing this up. I marked this requested as answered. Thanks. Arturo at BP (talk) 17:19, 29 September 2017 (UTC)

Another update for professional career
I am looking to clarify that Geoff Morrell moved to London to take his role as head of group communications and external affairs. This was noted in PRWeek, The Washington Post, and Politico. Below, I propose an update to the last sentence of Professional career to make note of this (changes in green).
 * In August 2017, Morrell moved to London to become head of group communications and external affairs, where he is in charge of BP’s global government and media relations, internal communications and community affairs.

The article already cites the PRWeek article I linked to above. I added The Washington Post story as another citation for verification.

Dkriegls, would you mind taking a look at this small request? You previously assisted with some edit requests of mine on this page. I am BP's representative on Wikipedia and therefore have a conflict of interest. I do not directly edit articles relating to the company. Thanks. Arturo at BP (talk) 16:39, 30 May 2018 (UTC)

✅  .  spinten do    17:39, 30 May 2018 (UTC)

Follow up to professional career request
Thanks to Spintendo for answering my edit request yesterday.

To clarify any confusion with when the announcement was made, I request we delete "June" in the following sentence: "In June 2017 it was reported that Morrell would be moving to London to become head of group communications and external affairs, where he is in charge of BP’s global government and media relations, internal communications and community affairs".

While I see Spintendo's reasoning based on The Wall Street Journal source, there is also the PRWeek source from May that quotes Morrell as saying, "I have truly loved leading BP’s communications and government relations team in the U.S. and am honored and excited about the opportunity to now do so globally for the company from our London headquarters".

Also, this May story in Politico says: "Geoff Morrell -- a veteran Washington operator -- is leaving the U.S. for London as he takes on a new role at BP as group head of communications and external affairs. Morrell will report to BP’s Group Chief Executive Bob Dudley. 'It will be a big change for our family, but one we’re looking forward to,' D.C. native Morrell said of his upcoming move to London".

Can we update the paragraph once again to remove mention of any month?
 * In 2017 it was reported that Morrell would be moving to London to become head of group communications and external affairs, where he is in charge of BP’s global government and media relations, internal communications and community affairs.

I am BP's representative on Wikipedia and therefore have a conflict of interest. I do not directly edit articles relating to the company. Thanks. Arturo at BP (talk) 21:28, 31 May 2018 (UTC)

✅  .  spinten do    22:21, 31 May 2018 (UTC)
 * Thanks for taking care of this, Spintendo. Arturo at BP (talk) 16:28, 6 June 2018 (UTC)

Outdated title
I am seeking an update to Professional career on behalf of BP. Geoff Morrell's title is now executive vice president of communications and advocacy. Can editors consider adding that to the article based on PRWeek? The information is also verified in BP's annual report (page 78 of report and page 80 of pdf). As BP's representative on Wikipedia, I do not directly edit articles relating to the company. Would someone be willing to review this request and update Professional career? Thanks for taking the time to consider this. Arturo at BP (talk) 16:34, 19 July 2021 (UTC)
 * Hello, your request has been answered. Heartmusic678
 * The 'Professional career' section of the page has been updated to reflect Morrell's current position. Thanks, Heartmusic678 (talk) 17:15, 26 July 2021 (UTC)

Career update
Hello, I am looking to update Geoff Morrell's article. It was announced this month that Morrell would be leaving BP to work for Disney as its Chief Corporate Affairs Officer next month. The position oversees communications, government relations, public policy, philanthropy and environmental issues, per this reporting from The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, and Axios. Can editors update the Professional career and other relevant parts of the article with this information? As BP's representative on Wikipedia, I do not directly edit articles relating to the company. Thanks. Arturo at BP (talk) 20:31, 15 December 2021 (UTC)
 * Thanks for your message. This update is finished with the consideration that Morrell has not yet transitioned to Disney. Thanks, Heartmusic678 (talk) 14:05, 21 December 2021 (UTC)
 * Thanks for the help! Arturo at BP (talk) 18:45, 21 December 2021 (UTC)
 * You're welcome :D. Heartmusic678 (talk) 19:38, 21 December 2021 (UTC)

Career timeline update
Hello, I am looking to update Geoff Morrell's article one last time. Morrell's official start date at Disney was January 24, per this article from L.A. Business First. Can editors update the introduction and see if a change is needed to the Professional career section with this information? As BP's representative on Wikipedia, I do not directly edit articles relating to the company. Heartmusic678, you were kind enough to look at the last one. Do you think you could make this change too? Thanks. Arturo at BP (talk) 17:32, 27 January 2022 (UTC)
 * Hello This is done. Thanks, Heartmusic678 (talk) 19:09, 27 January 2022 (UTC)
 * Thanks for helping again. Arturo at BP (talk) 21:53, 27 January 2022 (UTC)
 * You're welcome :D. Heartmusic678 (talk) 22:00, 27 January 2022 (UTC)