Weber Shandwick Public Affairs
Formerly known as Weber Shandwick GJW Public Affairs, Weber Shandwick Public Affairs (WSPA) is part of Weber Shandwick Worldwide, one of the largest PR companies in the world and largest in the UK, whose ultimate owner is Interpublic, one of the big three global communications conglomerates.
Described in PR Week as a “thrusting public affairs agency on the cutting edge of politics and lobbying , WSPA has absorbed many other lobby firms including GJW, Shandwick Public Affairs, Charles Barker Public Affairs. WSPA describes its staff as “spanning the political spectrum and including former special advisors, election aides and election candidates.”
History
Conservative Lord Chadlington, aka Peter Gummer, younger brother of John Gummer, founded Shandwick in 1974. [1] WSPA was launched in 1997 under the guidance of Lord McNally, now leader of the Lib-Dems in the Lords, and a friend of WSPA CEO, Colin Byrne (according to Byrne). [2] Lord Tom McNally joined Weber Shandwick in 1993, became non-exec vice-chairman of Weber Shandwick in 2003 a position he left in November 2004 on his appointment as Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords. [3]
Friends in the right places
CEO Colin Byrne is described as a key figure in the interface between big business and New Labour. [4] Byrne worked for Labour and used to be Peter Mandelson’s flat-mate. Andrew Brown, brother of Prime Minister Gordon, was also a Weber Shandwick employee (director of media strategy) before moving to nuclear energy company EDF. Former employees also include ex William Hague press aide, Priti Patel (currently standing for the Conservative in Witham in Essex. ); Lib Dem MP for Winchester, Mark Oaten; and Graham Brady, Tory MP for Altrincham and Sale West and Shadow Minister for Europe.
According to Electoral Commission's register of donations, the company gave Labour £17,000 in August 2004 and a further £19,500 in September 2005. Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
In a recent post on his blog CEO Byrne said: “Perhaps it is time for lobbyists and politicians to accept the need and benefit of some form of formal registration and a total ban on politicians giving favoured access to political friends in lobbying roles. I think this is how it works in Washington.” [5]
Clients
Weber Shandwick took on BNFL as a client in 2002 [6]
Resources
References
- ↑ Deborah Ross, "Interview-lord Chadlington: Lord, what a nightmare at the opera", Independent on Sunday, 08 December 1997.
- ↑ Colin Byrne's blog, 'Byrne Baby Byrne', 26 Oct 2007.
- ↑ Lib Dem website, Who's who
- ↑ Mark Hollingsworth, An infestation of lobbyists, The Guardian, 06 June 2001.
- ↑ Byrne Baby Byrne, "More on Lobbying" 18 July 2007.
- ↑ P. Simpson (2002)WSW Picks Up BNFL Public Affairs Work, PR Week, 22 April
