multicultural pr special report - Odwyerpr.com

Sorrell outlines Muslim marketing planWPP CEO Martin Sorrell outlined the ad/PR conglom’snew Muslim marketing initiatives during hispresentation at the “6th World Islamic EconomicForum” May 18-20 in Kuala Lumpur.The Malaysian conference was themed “Gearing forEconomic Resurgence.”In WPP’s 2009 annual report, Sorrell calls the Muslim world“another challenger to American dominance.”The conflicts in Afghanistan/Iraq and tension with Iran are acontinuation of the 1950s Suez conflict, the oil crisis of the1970s, and the invasion of Kuwait in the 1990s, according toSorrell.In his view: “Westerners have made little attempt to understandthe Islamic mind and assure that Muslims share theirvalue systems.” That is “wrong-headed and short-sighted,” heDubai awards Brunswick, PSI PR contractsDubai’s Dept. of Finance signed a $300,000 a month contractwith Brunswick for international PR work in February as thecash-strapped member of the United Arab Emirates restructuredits massive debt load.Dubai World, the emirate’s conglomerate, rocked the financialmarkets via its 2009 decision to stop paying interest on its debt. Itreached an agreement May 20, with a consortium of 90 lenders torevamp $23.5B in debt.The New York Times called the deal a “willingness among westernbanks to take a short-term hit so as to maintain relationships ina part of the world that, despite Dubai’s debt hiccup, is sure toremain a fruitful place to do business.”Brunswick’s three-month agreement began Feb. 1 and calls for“immediate scenario planning,” “anticipating potential issue areas,”messaging, positioning, media training and events.International PR Newssaid.Sorrell wrote thatMuslims are differentand “it will be increasinglynecessary to makea serious and sincereattempt to understandthem.” He praised theObama Administrationfor understanding theneed to communicatewith Muslim nations. Martin SorrellThe 1.6 billionMuslims account for a quarter of the world’s population. Therewill be 2.1 billion Muslims a decade from now, or 30 percent ofthe globe’s people. PSI gets Dubai boostPublic Strategies Inc. now receives $25,000 a month to promotethe charitable work of Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, junior wifeof Dubai ruler and United Arab Emirates Prime MinisterMohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.The original pact inked in October called for a $10,000 monthlyoutlay.The Princess chairs the International Humanitarian City inDubai, which bills itself as a non-religious/political/profit organization.IHC serves as a logistical hub for charitable operations.Employees from Novartis’ Middle East operations last monthdonated clothes, shoes and magazines to the IHC for distribution inAfrican countries.PSI, under its agreement, provides reputation and media relationscounsel, but it is not to make direct contact with any reporteror editor. It works on a month-to-month basis. FARA News NEW FOREIGN AGENTS REGISTRATION ACT FILINGSBelow is a list of select companies that have registered with the U.S. Department of Justice, FARA Registration Unit,Washington, D.C., in order to comply with the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, regarding their consulting and communicationswork on behalf of foreign principals, including governments, political parties, organizations, and individuals.Gephardt Group Government Affairs, LLC, Washington, D.C., registered May 3, 2010 for Republic of Turkey, regarding providing lobbyingand government relations services.Hecht, Spencer & Associates, Inc., Washington, D.C., registered May 6, 2010 for Government of Japan, regarding providing governmentrelations and political consulting services in connection with U.S. Government positions, actions, legislation and treaties concerning Japan andJapanese nationals, including corporations.Hill & Knowlton, Inc., Washington, D.C., registered May 14, 2010 for The Information Technology Industry Development Agency, ITDA,Giza, Egypt, (through Hill & Knowlton London), regarding providing public relations counsel and assistance to promote Egyptʼs information andcommunications technology industry and Egypt as an outsourcing location. NEW LOBBYING DISCLOSURE ACT FILINGSBelow is a list of select companies that have registered with the Secretary of the Senate, Office of Public Records, and the Clerk of theHouse of Representatives, Legislative Resource Center, Washington, D.C., in order to comply with the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.For a complete list of filings, visit http://sopr.senate.gov.Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Washington, D.C., registered May 17, 2010 for ProtectingAmerica.Org, Washington, D.C., regarding lobbying theU.S. House of Representatives with regard to H.R. 1264, “Homeowners Defense Act.”Breaux Lott Leadership Group, Washington, D.C., registered May 13, 2010 for Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Washington, D.C., regardingfinancial services regulatory reform issues and tax issues.K&L Gates LLP, Washington, D.C., registered May 17, 2010 for Motion Picture Association of America, Sherman Oaks, Calif., regardingissues and proceedings before the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.JUNE 2010 WWW.ODWYERPR.COM 37