The emergency manager for Detroit is working with outside PR counsel as the city faces a critical meeting with creditors June 14 in a bid to stave off bankruptcy.

detroit
Bing, Snyder and Orr
Kevyn Orr, a Michigan attorney who worked Chrysler's bankruptcy, was tapped by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder in March to turn around its beleaguered finances. Last month in a sobering report, he found long-term obligations of $15B on top of low cash flow and poor credit ratings for the Motor City.

Farmington Hills, Mich., agency Duffey Petroskey & Co. has been engaged to handle PR, among a cadre of legal and financial advisors,

"We've been contracted by the city of Detroit as PR counsel for Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr," Jo Bourjaily, management supervisor and director of integrated communications and PR at DP&C, told O'Dwyer's.

Bill Nowling, DP&C director of public affairs and issues management and a veteran GOP political hand in Michigan, is serving as spokesman for Orr.

The Detroit Free Press reported today that Orr has ordered tight security for Friday's meeting with creditors, including a ban on social media, cellphones and cameras.

The city wants to avoid a Chapter 9 bankruptcy filing and will push a restructuring plan to creditors this week.

Orr this week put the odds at "50/50" that he would pursue a bankruptcy route, which many officials, including Snyder and Mayor Dave Bing, fear would be a substantial blow to the city's already fragile image. 

The city has set up DetroitCantWait.com for news on Orr's effort.

Updated 7/24/2013: Abernathy MacGregor Group is assisting with outreach to the financial sector and Wall Street.