Saudi Arabia's Expanding PR Arsenal

PR trade publication O'Dwyer's PR Daily reports there is yet another firm representing Saudi Arabia. In addition to Burson-Marstellar, Qorvis Communications, and Patton Boggs, the Kingdom is using The Gallagher Group in its public affairs and lobbying campaign. The firm was hired by Qorvis, the Saudi's media relations firm, to do "government relations" work. O'Dwyer's reports the firm's president James Gallagher expects the $20,000 contract, which covered work between November 15 and February 15, to be renewed. "Gallagher said he was called in on the Saudi account because he represented the Kingdom while a staffer at Boland & Madigan. He also was a registered lobbyist for AT&T, Chevron, Ford Motor, General Dynamics, Playboy and Southwest Airlines," O'Dwyer's writes.