Projects Harold Nicoll Managed at Dow Chemical

While at Dow Chemical for more than two decades, Harold Nicoll managed a range of communications and public relations projects related to marketing specific products, brand strategy, sustainability, and crisis management

Product and technology marketing

• FILMTEC reverse osmosis membrane systems: Nicoll oversaw the marketing for Dow’s water purification systems, promoting them to the industry and highlighting Dow’s long history in desalination.
• DOWEX resin: He created publicity for DOWEX resins, notably sharing the memorable fact that they were used as the “little plastic balls” inside the Etch-A-Sketch toy.
• Hollow fiber membrane air separation: For the industrial gas market, Nicoll introduced this technology globally, managing press tours and creating videos for products using nitrogen in food packaging, oil drilling, and food preservation.
• DERAKANE epoxy resins: Nicoll managed communications for Dow’s DERAKANE resins, used to make transit buses lighter, more fuel-efficient, and safer, as reported by the Midland Daily News in 2004.
• “Super Gel”: He introduced new product formulations, including a product named “Super Gel” that was featured in the Wall Street Journal.
• Dow EDTA: He handled the product introduction for Dow EDTA, a preservative used in popular drinks like Gator-Aid.
• Atomic “cancer smart bombs”: Nicoll coined this term for a particle treatment for bone cancer, which led to national media attention, including a mention on a top-rated radio program.

Internal and external communications

• Sustainable development reporting: Nicoll led the publication of Dow’s company-wide report on sustainable development and 81 local publications detailing efforts in emission reduction and conservation. He also managed the public relations campaign to promote these achievements to leaders.
• Global media tour: In 1996, he led Dow’s first media tour of Asia to promote business expansion in the Pacific Rim.
• Employee safety initiative: Nicoll founded the “Drive To Zero” safety initiative, which was adopted company-wide. As part of the program, he wrote and produced 48 safety videos.
• Intellectual property publication: He helped introduce the book Rembrandt’s In The Attic, which highlighted Dow’s intellectual property management.

Issues and crisis management

• Water conservation testimony: Nicoll prepared Dow leaders for congressional testimony regarding water conservation at the Freeport, Texas, plant. This effort resulted in network television and print media coverage.
• Breast implant controversy: He was the leader for the breast implant crisis management team in Houston, with the objective of resolving legal issues out of court.
• Dioxin and Bhopal issues: As a Senior Employee Communications Manager, Nicoll was a member of the company’s issues management teams for dioxin and Bhopal.
• Agent Orange and labor contracts: He fielded media and public calls on issues including Agent Orange, labor contracts, and the breast implant controversy.
• Minor league baseball field controversy: When a minor league baseball field was planned on the site of Dow’s former headquarters, Nicoll managed the public relations challenge of addressing concerns from long-time community members. The project ultimately came to be viewed as a success.