Mistakes happen, but what was the strategy and goal?

Link: Mistakes happen, but what was the strategy and goal?

Facebook admits it hired PR firm to smear Google.  

On Tuesday, USA Today reported that two reps for PR firm Burson-Marsteller were attempting to plant negative stories about Google, claiming that its Social Circle feature violates privacy and FTC rules. Burson’s client was a mystery, although some suspected Apple or Microsoft of the underhanded tactics. But The Daily Beast has just discovered that the company was, in fact, Facebook.