PwC apologises for Oscars chaos
The accounting firm has taken the fall for an envelope mix-up that caused Warren Beatty to announce the wrong winner for the night’s top prize
PwC, the accounting firm responsible for tabulating Oscar ballots, apologised for one of the biggest gaffes in Oscar history, accepting the blame for a snafu that blemished its reputation at an event it has successfully shepherded for 83 years. The company has used the Oscar spotlight for years to burnish its image and drum up business in Hollywood and beyond. On Monday, PwC said it mixed up the envelopes given to presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, an error that led to La La Land being incorrectly given the best-picture statuette before the unscripted surprise twist: Moonlight had actually won. “We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred,” Caroline Nolan, a PwC spokeswoman, said in an e-mailed statement. The incident, broadcast live in front of an audience of millions, raises questions about PwC’s handling of a high-profile account it has highlighted as a symbol of its accuracy. Only two senior managers of the firm, know...
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