What’s News From MWWPR, Finn Partners & Burson-Marsteller
J. Mark Riggs Joins MWWPR’s Leadership Team
MWWPR hired J. Mark Riggs to oversee their Sports Marketing division as well as their Internal and external brand marketing efforts. He brings 20 years of expertise in planning and insights working with clients on creating and executing campaigns and branding. His new title: SVP of New Business and Marketing. He previously served as EVP at Taylor, a VP at IPG’s MullenLowe, and also at French/West/Vaughan.
Finn Partners Now Agency of Record for The Works Doing Corporate PR
Finn just won the contract to work with The Works, a discount retailer selling such items as toys, books, arts and crafts, and stationery with nearly 400 locations throughout the UK and Ireland, for their corporate PR efforts. Finn has already been working with the company for five years on their consumer and trade PR. With this addition, they will focus on a communications campaign to increase The Works’ visibility nationally and online with retail trade sources. Alison Puente will head up the team effort for Finn.
Burson-Marsteller Now Working with Turkey’s Embassy in DC
Burson-Marsteller (BM) has been retained by the Republic of Turkey through their embassy in DC for BM’s efforts supporting efforts for Turkey in the US. These efforts will include stakeholder engagement, media outreach, event support, social media counsel, monitoring and analysis, and support for all US-based Turkish consulates.
Barry Baum Becomes to Lead Communications for the Milwaukee Bucks
Barry Baum has been hired as the SVP of Communications for the Bucks and will officially start his new job on June 5th. A big portion of his efforts early on will be centered around the new arena that is slotted to open in the autumn of 2018, as well as other business ventures. Baum brings 15+ years of experience in communications and leaves behind a job with Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment as Chief Communications Officer. He’s a former bigwig at DKC PR.
Podesta Group and Other Strong Firms Represent Saudi Arabia for Public Affairs Efforts
As it says in the headline, more than Podesta Group are trying to make the Saudis look good to the US and Americans … they have 28 consulting and lobbying firms currently representing them in the US. The Podesta Group, co-founded by Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign chairman, John Podesta, is one of several elite firms. Even though they are one of many, they are on retainer to the tune of $140,000 per month to do “public relations services” through the end of this year.
Other firms representing Saudi Arabia for US PR and public affairs include BGR Government Affairs – part of BGR Group, usually representing Republican interests, receiving a $500K per year fee; Squire Patton Boggs worked for them for a year but ended the contract in September 2017 to do “legal and strategic policy advice and advocacy on foreign policy,” receiving $100K per month; as well as a $125K per month retainer with Hogan Lovells to provide “legal counsel to the foreign principal in connection with litigation support and general foreign policy and related matters…”
