Private Equity Aims to Counter Buyout Bashing as Romney Targeted

The buyout industry, seeking to contain damage as Mitt Romney draws criticism over his role at Bain Capital LLC, plans to counter perceptions that firms profit at the expense of workers, according to a person familiar with the plans.

The Private Equity Growth Capital Council, the industry’s lobby group in Washington, is starting a web-based campaign at the end of the month aimed at political commentators with testimonials of people who say private equity has helped their business, said the person, who asked not to be named because the information isn’t yet public. Member firms, which include Blackstone Group, Carlyle Group and KKR & Co., have been highlighting job creation in press releases.