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Case Study: ExxonMobil Background Research

Shey Grossen
Jared Houghton Sara Michael McKay Perry

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Introduction
ExxonMobil Corporation is one of the largest publicly traded companies in America. Consecutively topping the charts of the Forbes 500 list, ExxonMobil remains not only dominant in the oil industry, but also a major contributor to the stability of the United States economy. Despite the recent recession, ExxonMobil, along with other major competitors in the oil industry, continued to see significant growth in past years. In 2011, ExxonMobil saw an increase of nearly 35 percent in profits, contributing to a net income of $41 billion. Due to the companys substantial profitability, ExxonMobils board voted to increase the compensation of Chief Executive Officer Rex Tillerson by 17 percent. Tillerson now earns approximately $25.2 million and is said to be the 16th highest paid CEO in corporate America. The increase in compensation sparked massive responses from the media and the public putting ExxonMobil in the public light, not because of its contributions in aiding the recovery of the economy, but rather for accusations of greed and corporate corruption. Though accustomed to bad press coverage, considering the controversial issues involved in oil drilling, ExxonMobil seeks to diffuse public criticism of executive compensation.

insecurity, and environmental problems such as the BP and Valdez oil spills. The state of the nations economy is worse off than five years ago. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate was reported at 4.6 percent in August 2007. In the August 2012 report, unemployment has almost doubled rising to 8.1 percent. This rise excludes the fact that additionally each month that the rate is measured, more people drop out of the work force, meaning there are more people who are actually suffering from the lack of employment. The lack of economic growth has spurred some movements among those from lower income levels such as the Occupy movement. The financial impacts have negatively affected the confidence level in the economy. According to a Gallup poll, 36 percent of Americans are saying the economy is getting better while 59 percent are saying it is getting worse. The state of the economy has contributed to insecurity and fear in the lives of many Americans. The old adage that children will end up better off than their parents will be tested. The Federal Reserve said that median family wealth is near the same level it was in the early 1990s. The median family net worth dropped to $77,300 in 2010, compared with $126,400 in 2007. In this time of economic hardship, what people consider signs of belonging to the middle class have also changed. According to a Pew Research Center survey, to constitute part of the middle class, 86 percent say a person needs a secure job, while just 45 percent say the same about owning a home, 37 percent about a college education and 28 percent about financial investments.

External Environment
The issue of CEO compensation must be examined within a larger scope. ExxonMobils environment contains social, economic, and political pressures. While functioning in this environment, ExxonMobil is forced to deal with perception. The perceptions of ExxonMobil stem from events and issues that involve bank bailouts, family financial

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corporations to be similar to rich people whom are not trusted.

Pertinent to ExxonMobils environment is the looming presidential election. Since the state of the economy is a hot-button issue, the economic philosophies of the nominees will likely be a point of division in the election. Many people believe that raising taxes for the upper class will help to solve the economic problems. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 44 percent of the public say that raising taxes on incomes above $250,000 would help the economy rather than hurt it. However, 22 percent say it would hurt the economy, and 24 percent say it would not make a difference. Additionally, 44 percent say that increasing the taxes on the rich would make the tax system fairer, while 21 percent say that it would not. In addition to the tax structure for the rich, there is also growing distrust toward the wealthy. Many people think that wealthy people are potentially dishonest and greedy. The attitudes shown in the graph potentially stem from the government bailouts that were granted to banks around the time the mortgage industry collapsed. Many people perceive large

A common campaign promise from both parties is the plan to bring security back to the American citizen by creating jobs. Job creation by large corporations seems to favor backing a Republican candidate. According to the graphic, the oil and natural gas industry is responsible for 5.3 percent of employment in the United States economy.

Contrasting this graphic with a graphic from a recent Pew Research study, as much as 14 percent of people blame the

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oil companies for rising gas prices. Others blame Obama, OPEC, and Iran.

which currently has 12 Middle Eastern countries as members, dictates oil prices per barrel, and significantly impacts world gas prices and distribution of oil. Unrest in the Middle East has also led to spikes in oil prices as well as instability for the American market still heavily reliant on their imports. Since its advent, the oil industry continues to remain a lucrative business. However, after the energy crises of 1973, and 1979, where oil prices quadrupled, the industry has since become one of the most profitable in the world. Todays economic market is primarily dominated by what are considered the Big 5 U.S. Oil Companies. These companies include ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, Conoco Phillips and Shell. The 2011 SEC financial reports indicate recorded combined earnings of $375 million per day for the Big 5, or a breakdown of $261,000 per minute. Earnings in the oil industry are estimated to have grown $1trillion from 2001 to 2011. Chief Executive Officers of Big 5 Companies also received an average compensation of $60,110 per day and average pay for all executives in the oil industry increased by 55 percent in 2011. Over the years, the industry has been highly criticized by both the press and the American public. A 1975 poll produced by Harris Interactive showed the growing American concern about the deregulation of the gas prices. The report showed that 74 percent of those polled believed that deregulation would lead to significant gains for the oil companies at the expense of the taxpayers. The controversial energy crises of 1973, and again in 1979, also left many Americans disillusioned and skeptical of the oil industry. CNN and the New York Times conducted a poll in 1979 that revealed 69 percent believed the shortages were fraudulent. A similar Roper Poll study

The birth of the oil industry in the United States dates back to as early as 1859, when the first oil well was drilled in Titusville, Pennsylvania. The industry has since grown to become one of the most profitable in the world and an icon of American big business and wealth. Advances in technology soon led to the expansion of drilling from Pennsylvania into California, Texas, Alaska and the Gulf Coast, which is the current site of most drilling in the United States. Today the United States reports an average production of just less than 5.4 million barrels of oil per day. Average American daily consumption however, is nearly 19 million barrels per day. In spite of recent developments of alternative energy solutions, the U.S. remains the highest consumer of oil in the world second only to China. In an effort to end the United States dependence on foreign oil, it is predicted that oil production will increase by 1 million barrels per day by 2020. However, because of the United States dependence on oil, foreign imports from other countries continue to trouble the American market. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC),

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conducted only a few years earlier revealed the same surprising data, 73 percent believed there was no real shortage. This skepticism and feeling of deception has never been fully resolved. In recent years, following the downturn of former powerhouse giants such as General Electric and General Motors, the rise of major oil companies continued to harbor distrust among the American people. In an April 2012 poll conducted by Harris Interactive, results showed that once again 37 percent of Americans blame the oil industry for the recent record highs in gas prices. Of those polled, 25 percent believed prices were to be blamed on conflicts in the Middle East. Additionally, in an August 2012 Gallup Poll, 61 percent had a negative view of the oil and gas industry putting it just below the federal government and last on the list compared to the computer industry which had a 73 percent positive view. Historically, the oil industry has been heavily regulated. In the late 1800s, in efforts to protect against the onslaught of monopolies, local governments regulated natural gas. Regulation moved to a federal level in the 1920s, and in 1938, the government passed the Natural Gas Act, which gave federal jurisdiction to regulate interstate gas sales. The Phillips Decision of the 1940s determined that wellhead prices would also be monitored and allowed for reasonable sales prices as well as what was considered a fair profit. Initially, each producer was assessed separately, but this policy changed to a geographic area policy and eventually a national price ceiling. In 1978, at the height of the energy crisis, the Natural Gas Policy Act passed and set ceiling wellhead prices. This decision also led to the organization of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The 1980s led to significant reforms in the regulation of the oil industry including the

1989 Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act, which ended wellhead regulation. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) stands today to regulate rates and practices of oil pipelines, particularly in interstate transportation. They also seek to provide shippers with equal service and access to pipelines and monitoring rates for the transportation of petroleum. Although the FERC is not involved in the overseeing of construction or maintenance of oil pipelines, once projects are considered operational the Department of Transportation regulates safety. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the effect the industry has on the environment. The EPA regulates oil and natural gas production enforcing rules including performance standards for emissions, hazardous pollutants, transmission and storage. In April 2012, President Barak Obama passed initiatives to tighten oil and gas regulation. New legislation requires all oil and gas companies to capture emissions and potential pollutants. These regulations restrict the new process of fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, being experimented with by major industry competitors in an effort to explore alternative energy solutions with natural gas. The oil industry is expected to comply and capture all emissions by 2016. For more than 125 years ExxonMobil has been one of the main leaders in modern transportation, power, lubricate industry and in building petrochemical building blocks.

Promotions
From the beginning, Exxon has embraced American heritage and values. Originally, Rockefeller and some of his associates started Exxon in 1882. The name was Standard Oil Company and Trust. It was called the Standard Oil

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Company until 1972. Rockefeller and the Standard Oil Company were a driving force in the reorganizing of not only the oil industry, but also of all business. They were influential in creating jobs and benefiting towns and cities throughout the United States. In the 1870s, they purchased the Vacuum Oil Company and through this became lubricant pioneers. The Standard Oil later became Exxon Company and in 1999, it merged with Mobil Corporation and became ExxonMobil. Much work was done to create a good reputation, grow and become profitable. Exxon has also had their hand in important moments in American history. They lubricated Thomas Edisons first generating system. In 1903, the Wright Brothers used their lubricant in their historic first flight. In addition, in the 1900s, its products were used to produce rubbing alcohol (1920), artificial rubber-butyl and used by Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh (1928) in their historic flights across the Atlantic Ocean. Exxon evolved from a domestic provider and refiner into a multinational company. It is currently involved in all aspects of oil and gas.

science education in the United States. This could be used as a way to highlight the importance of math and science education in connection to a comfortable living and secure employment. Advertising campaigns for ExxonMobil have shown how they promote the study of advanced science and mathematics for youth and young adults. ExxonMobil has put considerable financial emphasis on the environment. They are continually searching for methods and ways to minimize the impact on the environment. In 2011, environmental expenditures totaled nearly $4.9 billion. ExxonMobil also hires locals to help develop the local economy by improving education and training. ExxonMobils competitor, Conoco Phillips, has addressed many concerns through their recent advertising promotions. Their strategy involves highlighting the work that they are doing in connection with many of the high-profile issues like clean energy, natural gas, improving the economy and safety in harvesting the energy. Despite the CEO of Conoco Phillips making more in total compensation than the CEO of ExxonMobil, Rex Tillerson, ConocoPhillips succeeds in giving middle-class Americans an ally in the difficult economic times. They focus their advertising campaigns on audiences of middle-class families, college students, and blue-collar workers. Common themes include job creation, research for alternative energy, and safety concerns.

Market Share
Of the Big 5, ExxonMobil holds an estimated 29 percent of the market share. According to the reports for the first quarter of the 2012 fiscal year ExxonMobil reported $ 9.5 billion in profits comparing to a combined total of the 33.5 billion in profit of the other companies. This percentage of market share has been substantiated for

ExxonMobil has gone to great lengths to show their involvement in the community and their interest in children. They donated $125 million to the National Math and Science Initiative to help improve math and

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several years now making ExxonMobil the leader among the oil industry and the second largest publicly traded company in the world. In recent years, ExxonMobil has also expanded significantly in its exploration of natural gas. The acquirement of new natural gas fields is expected to expand the companys gas production by 12 percent and makes ExxonMobil the largest provider of natural gas in the world. In 2009, Exxon also collaborated with Chevron and Royal Dutch Shell on natural gas projects with ExxonMobil and Shell owning 25 percent of the plant, and Chevron a 50 percent shareholder.

company still was able to have a net gain in the second quarter this year of $7.5 billion. That is more than all their competitors. All of these companies also have to deal with the negative perception that large oil companies have in the public eye. The oil business is a very lucrative business and because of this, many people have a negative opinion on what they do and how much they make. This problem is universal to all involved in the industry. The other problems that exist are all external problems discussed earlier. Such problems include political debates, problems in the Middle East, and domestic problems dealing with the economy. These problems will continue so long as the public perceives the companies as making too much money and not putting it back in the society and paying taxes on it. In reality, Exxon does pay back a lot of money in taxes to the government.

Resources
Because of the bad history of the oil industry, it will be difficult to change the perception that the nation has of the company. The industry has poured in a lot of money in Washington in form of lobbying and so there would be many opinion leaders that could help with a campaign. The problem with political leaders is that they want to appease their constituents and might not want to appear in connection with oil industries. If we can get environment activist groups as well as other celebrities who fight for the economy to see what ExxonMobil is doing for the environment, then we could use them as intervening publics and opinion leaders to help sway the public to see what we are doing to help better the world. We could also highlight some of the new facilities we are building and providing on behalf of the many donations we have

Competition
The main competitors to ExxonMobil are Chevron Corporation, Royal Dutch/Shell Group, TOTAL S.A., Conoco Phillips, Valero Energy Corporation, BP Plc, Repsol YPF, S.A., Imperial Oil Limited, Sunoco, Inc. and Hess Corporation. As mentioned before, the main competitors that ExxonMobil has are BP, Conoco Phillips and Chevron. All these companies, including Exxon, have experienced a drop in overall revenue and operating costs due to the declining price of natural gas and oil during the recession. This has caused the pricing of the stocks for these companies to drop as well. With all that in mind, the

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given to different organizations across the country. We want to show the country that we are not only thinking of ourselves, but also we are thinking of the world and the bounties that it has to offer the company. By connecting with the audience in a personal way, we will have better results in our campaign. We can follow a similar example of Wal-Mart. They place ads where they show how they are thinking of the children and their needs and this will allow them to connect with families. They have also run ads showing how people can save money and save the environment by buying products that Wal-Mart offers. If we can create similar ads, we can tap into those same feelings and help the public to see us in a different light and they will not feel as strongly against us as they do.

Exxon to attain a competitive advantage over its peers, to maintain a technological edge over its competitors and to stay ahead of industry trends. The company itself has a wide presence throughout the world with many different international divisions. This gives the company a competitive advantage over its competitors and shows that the company has a wider understanding of the different events in the world. This diversification has allowed the company to avoid exposure to economic conditions or political stability in one country or region. One of the greatest weaknesses that the company faces is legal problems with different departments of the company. This has caused many people to have an adverse opinion in regards to oil companies. Typically, people only see the negative sides of a situation and this is especially true with oil companies. These problems will affect the image of the company in a negative way, which could result in reducing the profitability of ExxonMobil. Another problem is the growing economic condition of the country. This causes many people to have a negative perception of the company and how much money it makes. Because the economy is not improving as much as people would like, it has caused a greater problem in the way people view Exxon and other companies that are similar to them. Referring to the statistic earlier, 14 percent of the country believes that the oil companies cause the rising gas prices as well. However, the real cause of the problem is the decline in resources and the growing problem in the Middle East. Exxon has many opportunities in the near future to change the negative perception that the company has. It has been putting thousands of dollars into the research of shale gas, which in the future is expected to form a large part of domestic

SWOT
The main strategy for ExxonMobils exploration is to identify, evaluate, pursue and capture the highest-quality resource opportunities. The global presence that Exxon has allows it to explore diverse opportunities in all environments. Because of the money that they have allocated for research, they can use their geoscience capabilities and understanding of the global hydrocarbon potential to identify, evaluate and prioritize the highest quality resource opportunities. This strategy has allowed Exxon to have a strong research and development team. They spent $1,044 million in R&D and this has allowed them to develop more effective ways to identify new resource opportunities, drill more accurately, improve recovery of oil drills, optimize the value of hydrocarbon molecules, deliver a comprehensive suite of lube and advanced fuels hydro processing and engineering capabilities in the refining sector as well as to enable the commercial development of in situ bitumen. All these advances help

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U.S. petroleum production. They purchased Phillips Resources and TWP for $1.69 billion in June of 2011, to better position itself in the forefront of shale gas research and production in the future.

Many environmental regulations have been put in place and especially the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) from 2005, that requires states to limit their emissions overall. Exxon is committed to falling within those regulations but the cost to do so will causes Exxon to put money into making sure it meets those standards and not on improving the company. The economy is the biggest threat to Exxon. With the economy so low, it causes many people to worry about where to spend their money and with the rising costs of living, it forces the public to have a negative perception of the company.

Potential Publics
Educators Because the population is expected to grow rapidly in the future, the global demand for energy is expected to rise as well. As you can see in the graphic above, new productions will be required to keep up with the growing population. This has caused Exxon to devote $185 billion over the next five years to research and develop new projects and technologies to efficiently supply energy to the world. This will help to lower costs of energy and allow more people to afford the energy they need for their families. Even though Exxon has been present in many countries across the world for many years, the majority of their exploration and production comes from regions with a history of political instability. This has caused many questions to arise as to what will happen in the future with the outlook of the company. Although no can predict what will happen, it is fair to say that many problems could arise if something were to happen in those regions. Nationwide there are an estimated 3.2 million public school teachers teaching nearly 49.9 million students. According to the National Center of Education Information, of the current workforce the majority of teachers are still overwhelmingly women. Roughly 84 percent of all teachers are female and equally it is estimated that 84 percent of teachers are also white. Recent trends, however, have shown a decrease in average age among educators, 22 percent are younger than thirty years old. Similarly, percentages of teachers who have less than five years of experience have increased by 18 percent in the past five years. The percentage of teachers with over twenty-five years experience has decreased by 17 percent. Currently, more than half of public school teachers have a masters degree including a new trend of teachers earning their masters in subjects other than education. Average income for teachers nationwide is around 40,000 dollars. Educators are also among the most likely to

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participate in a union. An estimated 43.2 percent of teachers are involved in a union. Teachers are highly influential in the shaping of young childrens views and ideas especially nowadays when mothers are returning to the work force and have less time to spend with their children. Teachers are likely to volunteer and are available during the summer to participate in programs and trainings for the incoming school year. Educators recognize the need to improve math and science skills in the United States and often actively participate in grants and other opportunities for their students. Current Relationship: Most educators are unaware of ExxonMobils continued efforts to support the growth of math and science studies. Particularly in parts of the country where ExxonMobil does not have plants. Influentials: Fellow educators and administrators, union leaders, community leaders and parent councils Self-Interests: Professional reputation, increased test scores in students, grants, and recognition/awards Channels: newspapers, internet, academic journals, local and national news Students In the United States this fall, 21.6 million students are expected to attend colleges and universities. Since 2000, there has been an increase of about 6.2 million students. The majority of college students are females, 12.3 million compared to 9.3 million males. The percentages of Black and Hispanic students attending college are increasing as well. In the past 10 years, college students who were Black rose from 11.3 to 14.5 percent and Hispanics rose from 9.5 to 13.0. Last year, about 74 percent of young adults with a bachelors degree or higher were employed full-time and 65 percent of those with an associates degree. The

median earnings for young adults with a bachelors degree were $45,000.The college demographics consists almost exclusively of 18-24 year-olds. Current relationship: Students are generally aware of how important and large the oil industry is, but they are less aware of what opportunities are available to them in the industry. Influentials: Peers, professors, parents Self-interests: Open to new ideas, education, friends and family, motivated Channels: College student are media savvy and are open to new ideas. They are best reached through the internet because they spend hours at a time online whether they are studying, surfing the net or socializing with friends. They are harder to reach with traditional advertising because they have grown up greatly exposed to ads. Word of mouth from their friends is another good channel. Share Holders Investors most likely fall into the age group of senior citizens and baby boomers. These people have retirement accounts and stock portfolios. This group reflects many traditional American values. They uphold the American dream of owning a home and getting a college education. These people lived through other recessions such as in 1980, which was also a time when oil shortages were common. Current Relationship: positive. While many Americans do not trust large corporations, this group voted on and approved the executive compensation plan. The shareholders are advocates for ExxonMobil. They understand what ExxonMobil is doing within the contexts of communities and the environment. Self-interests: family and a secure retirement motivate this group. Influentials: company executives and educated American leaders in business.

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Channels: This public listens to channels that include newspapers, traditional broadcast news and radio. Shareholder literature is also an effective channel. Middle Class Families

economy. They want more money to be available to the public and want more taxes placed on the wealthy. Some are interested in the environment, the majority are more interested in providing for their families and making it paycheck to paycheck. Self-Interests: Their self-interests are with their families, the countries unemployment and economic problems, making money and the taxes that the rich pay. They want everything to be equal and think that the wealthy are taking advantage of the poorer people in America. Influentials: The influentials are political figures that fight for the middle class, unions and each other Channels: The channels that influence this public are television, newspaper, online forums and grassroots campaigns.

Unemployed
The unemployed are similar to the middle class families. The graphic below is from 2011 but is similar to what is happening this year. The majority of unemployed Americans are either black or Latino. They too, feel like they have been taken advantage of and that life is not fair. The one difference between the two groups is that this stretches over all ages. It particularly hits the older generation as well as the younger generation right out of college. They want to provide for their families and to give them the type of life that they deserve. The economy limits what they can do and how they are able to do it. Current Relationship: They really do not care much about the environment or anything like that; they are mostly interested in making money for their families. They do not trust the oil companies and they do not understand how they make so much money but appear to give none of it back. Self-Interests: Their self-interests are in their family, the current economic condition and the political campaigns right now. They are

According to the Pew Research Center graphic above, almost 50 percent of whites, blacks and Hispanics consider themselves part of the middle class. Many people who are in this category believe that they are being taken advantage of. They are mostly a younger generation between their 30s and 50s. The middle class wants what is best for their families. They value the American Dream. They all long to become wealthy and provide for their families but unfortunately, the economic downfall has played a factor into them not being able to. Current Relationship: They do not understand completely the factors that influence why Exxon does what it does and why the money does not go back into the

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hoping to get a job and are most concerned about that. Influentials: Families, political leaders and unions. Channels: Social media, newspapers, television and grassroots campaigns.

out of the best interest for their family, not necessarily the environment. Typically, those most actively purchasing green products or appliances are the middle to upper class, because such products tend to be more costly. Current Relationship- In the aftermath of oil spills and general distrust of the oil industry many of the environmentally conscious view big oil companies skeptically. Influentials: peers, family members, friends, coworkers, Self-Interests: family welfare, cost of green items, image among neighbors, Channels: social media, local and nationwide broadcasting, newspapers Employees ExxonMobil currently has 103,700 employees who come from a broad range of demographics. ExxonMobil recruits locally as well as globally. United States, Asia Pacific and Europe make up the majority of the workforce along with small percentages of Canada, Africa/Middle East and Latin America. Last year, 44 percent of new hires were women. Current Relationship: Positive. ExxonMobil has open communication with its employees. Last year 19 town-hall-style forums were held and numerous meetings on a wide variety of topics Self-Interest: Supporting family Influentials: Fellow employees, leaders, peers Channels: Traditional news outlets, internet, and social media.

Environmentally Concerned With the onset of the green movement, several Americans young and old have become environmentally active. Since the 1960s, campaigns have grown on local, state, national and even international levels. Activists involved in nongovernmental organizations are especially active in seeking to create public policy regarding environmental issues. However, once considered radical and leftist, several Americans are significantly more concerned about the well-being of the environment. According to a GfK Roper Consulting Poll, four in ten Americans say they are willing to pay more for environmentally safe products. Furthermore, 35 percent of Americans said that large industries should be competitive but not at the sacrifice of green efforts. While 50 percent believe that the government is responsible to preserve and protect our environment, 35 percent felt that it is the responsibility of businesses and industries. Only 29 percent believe that up until this point the environment has been appropriately cared for. Underlying the desire to protect the environment, 52 percent believe many green Americans are acting

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Situation Analysis
Recently, executive compensation has come under scrutiny by the American public. Justification of such compensation is difficult to explain. Moreover, the issue at play here is executive compensation is a surface issue that represents a deeper culmination of complaints. In a recovering economy, Americans find it difficult to learn the compensation figures of executives, especially when the current unemployment rate is 8.1 percent. In addition to a falling standard of living, the oil industry has violated the trust of Americans in the past. Since the oil crisis of the late 1970s, a negative perception of oil companies has existed. The negative perception stems from Americas dependence on oil, harmful effects on the environment, and a general negative perception of corporate America in economically challenging times. Since ExxonMobil is top profit earning oil company in America, much of the criticism falls on them. The worlds population is projected to grow to nearly nine billion people by the year 2040, and this growth is expected to increase the energy demand for transportation by about 45 percent. ExxonMobil understands the limitations of the energy reserves, and is becoming a leader in alternative energy technology.

Communications Solution
In one years time, we want to help the public be better informed about what good ExxonMobil is doing as a company. We will reach out to our publics through highlighting various programs, research, and technology that is being incorporated by ExxonMobil to show their positive influence in America and throughout the world. We will show their longstanding commitment to embracing American values and their dedication in helping America succeed. Specifically, how their contribution is boosting our struggling economy, supporting education, and benefiting the whole world with its plan to use 185 billion dollars over the next five years to invest in new technology for clean and alternative energy.

Core Problem
Due to the current struggling US economy, and unresolved distrust and skepticism rising from past legal issues and energy crises, ExxonMobil remains a target for criticism and holds an overwhelmingly negative perception in the public eye.

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Works Cited
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"National Math and Science Initiative." Exxonmobil.com. Exxon, n.d. Web. 7 Sept. 2012. <http://www.exxonmobil.com/Corporate/community_math_nmsi.aspx>. Newport, F. Americans Rate Computer Industry Best, Oil and Gas Worst. Gallup Economy. 16 Aug. 2012. Web. 6 Sept. 2012. "Nifty Graphs and Gas Prices." The Cultivation of Trendy. N.p., 30 Apr. 2012. Web. 9 Sept. 2012. <http://thect.blog.com/2011/04/30/nifty-graphs-and-gas-prices/>. Port, Rob. "Big Oil Really Is Paying Their Fair Share." Say Anything. SayAnythingBlog.com, 1 Mar. 2012. Web. 7 Sept. 2012. <http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/big-oil-really-is-paying-theirfair-share/>. Over Half of Americans Have Cut Back on Products and Services Because of Oil Prices. Harris Interactive. 12 April. 2012. Web. 8 Sept. 2012. "Public Spreads Blame for Rising Gas Prices." Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. Pew Research Center, 1 Mar. 2012. Web. 8 Sept. 2012. <http://www.peoplepress.org/2012/03/01/public-spreads-blame-for-rising-gas-prices/?src=prc-headline>. Raising Taxes on Rich Seen as Good for Economy, Fairness. Pew Research Center, July 16, 2012. http://pewresearch.org/pubs/2309/taxes-obama-romney-raising-rich-help-economy$250000-democrats-republicans-independents-hike-fairness Rampel, Catherine. "Who Counts as Middle Class?" Economix Blog. N.p., 23 Aug. 2012. Web. 6 Sept. 2012. <http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/who-counts-as-middle-class/>. Regulating Oil Pipelines. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ,15 Nov. 2011. Web. 5. Sept. 2012. "The Rockefellers." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 7 Sept. 2012. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rockefellers/sfeature/sf_6.html>. Weiss, Daniel J. "Ka-Ching: A Round-Up Of Big Oil's Mighty 2012 First-Quarter Profits." ThinkProgress. N.p., 2 May 2012. Web. 8 Sept. 2012. <http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/05/02/475161/ka-ching-a-round-up-of-big-oils-mighty2012-first-quarter-profits/?mobile=nc>.

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