Difference between revisions of "Market House International"

From Powerbase
Jump to: navigation, search
 
(61 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:Market House Logo.jpg|left|thumb|Market House Logo|text-bottom]]
+
[[Image:Market House Logo.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Market House Logo]]
[[Image:Market House Homepage.jpg|right|500px|Market House Homepage 2004|text-bottom]]
 
  
Market House International (2003-2006), was a Public Relations (PR) consultancy created to run the [[Stockholm Network]] of neoliberal think tanks. It was founded by [[Helen Disney]] in 2003 and operated until 2006 when it was renamed as the [[Stockholm Network]] Ltd.
+
[[Market House International]] (2003-2006), was a Public Relations (PR) consultancy created by [[Helen Disney]] and [[Rick Nye]] to run the [[Stockholm Network]] of neoliberal think tanks. The [[Stockholm Network]] had been operating since it was set up by [[Helen Disney]] in 1997 and was closely connected to Swedish think tank [[Timbro]]. [[Helen Disney]] set up Market House International in 2003 and the company operated until 2006 when it was renamed as the [[Stockholm Network]] Ltd.<ref>Market House International, [http://spinprofiles.org/images/8/83/Stockholm_Network_incorporation_docs_5-11-03.jpg Certificate of Incorporation of a Private Limited Company], ''Companies House'', 05-November-2003</ref><ref>Market House international Changes its name to The Stockholm Network, [http://spinprofiles.org/images/c/c0/Stockholm_Network_name_change_6-02-06.jpg Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name], ''Companies House'', 06-February-2006</ref>
  
Corporate Europe Observatory report that:
+
On the incorporation of Market House on 5 November 2003, [[Helen Disney]] was listed as its director and former [[The Times|Times]] journalist, and director of [[Populus]] [[Rick Nye]] was listed as the company's secretary<ref>288a Appointment of Helen Disney as Director, [http://spinprofiles.org/images/8/88/Stockholm_Network_New_director_5-12-03_%28Address_Redacted%29.jpg Stockholm Network New Director 05-November-03], ''Companies House'', 05-12-2003</ref><ref>288a Appointment of Rick Nye as Secretary, [http://spinprofiles.org/images/e/ee/Stockholm_Network_Sec_Appointed_5-12-03_%28Address_Redacted%29.jpg Stockholm  Network Secretary Appointed 05-12-2003], ''Companies House'', 05-November-2003</ref>. The company's original website published staff profiles of Disney alongside those of [[Nicole Gray Conchar]] and [[Sacha Kumaria]].<ref>Staff Profiles, [http://web.archive.org/web/*/http:/www.market-house.co.uk/ Nicole Gray Conchar & Sacha Kumaria], Market House International, Accessed via Web Archive 23-April-2010</ref> 
  
:According to the Stockholm Network website, Market House International is "host to the Stockholm Network".<ref>http://www.stockholm-network.org/weblinks.cfm</ref> Market House International Ltd describes itself as "an ideas and public policy consultancy". Staff includes key people from the Stockholm Network headquarters and [[Nicole Gray Conchar]] from the [[International Policy Network]] (IPN).<ref>Market House International Ltd employs [[Helen Disney]] and [[Sacha Kumaria]] of the Stockholm Network as well as Nicole Gray Conchar of the International Policy Network (IPN), see http://www.stockholm-network.org/markethouse/?content=staffprofiles The consultancy's website explains that "We exist to help those involved in devising public policy to expand their audience, define their brand and share ideas and best practice with like-minded people. Via our unique European networking service, the Stockholm Network, we also help businesses and other organisations to liaise with think tanks and opinion formers. Our aim is to be a one-stop shop for finding and working with the brightest and most innovative European policymakers and opinion formers." http://www.stockholm-network.org/markethouse (last checked on July 7 2005).</ref> The presence of this commercial consulting arm creates further confusion about the Network's funding and web of influence. For example, is it Market House International Ltd. or the Stockholm Network that organises 'think tank tours' and other outreach to promote prominent neoliberal figures like [[Johan Norberg]]?<ref>"We have also organised major 'think tank tours' for a range of VIP guests such as Jason Turner, architect of Wisconsin and New York's welfare to work schemes and Johan Norberg, author of In Defence of Global Capitalism . Jason Turner's trip has resulted in Wisconsin-style welfare reforms being piloted in the German state of Hessen. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has since adopted a version of the Hessen plan, based on Wisconsin, as part of its national party legislative agenda. Johan Norberg's trip has resulted in his book, In Defence of Global Capitalism, being translated into numerous European languages and in regular appearances in the European media including a recent, hour-long documentary on Channel 4." http://www.stockholm-network.org/markethouse/?content=whatwedo (last checked on July 7 2005).</ref> Beyond the Stockholm Network, Market House International also works for "a range of corporate and other clients, providing background research, advice and expertise in the public policy sphere."<ref>"Market House can help you to sharpen your messages as well as your strategy for getting those messages heard in national and international debates." http://www.market-house.co.uk/</ref> The complex web of interaction and financing only acts to further emphasise the need for financial transparency which details how much funding comes to which institutions and for what purpose.<ref>http://www.corporateeurope.org/stockholmnetwork.html</ref>
+
[[Image:Market House Homepage.jpg|right|thumb|500px|Market House Homepage 2004<ref>Market House International [http://web.archive.org/web/20040622130039/http://www.stockholm-network.org/markethouse/?content=staffprofiles Staff Profiles], Retrieved from the Web Archive of 22 June 2004, accessed 23-April-2010</ref>]]
  
 +
==People==
  
==People==
 
  
 
[[Helen Disney]], Director | [[Nicole Gray Conchar]] | [[Sacha Kumaria]] | [[Rick Nye]], Company Secretary
 
[[Helen Disney]], Director | [[Nicole Gray Conchar]] | [[Sacha Kumaria]] | [[Rick Nye]], Company Secretary
  
 +
==Criticism==
  
 +
Paul Staines described the relationship between Market House International and [[Stockholm Network]] in a 2005 article for [[The Times]]:
  
 +
:The Stockholm Network, which presents itself as a pan-European think-tank co-ordinating body, turns out to be in fact the public face of Market House International, a PR consultancy that tells corporate clients that the network gives it "local capacity to deliver both local messages and locally tailored global messages in a wide range of countries"<ref>Paul Staines, You want policy? In cash?, ''The Times'', 20-December-2005, Accessed 24-April-2010</ref>.
  
 +
Corporate Watch describe how funders like [[Pfizer]] and [[Exxon Mobil]] are directing "increasing sums to fund more US-style pro-corporate think tanks", they argue that Market House International facilitate this relationship between think-tanks and corporate funding:
  
 +
:Sensing a lucrative business opportunity, PR consultancy Market House International (MHI) have recruited around 130 free-market European think tanks, including the [[Adam Smith Institute]], into a coalition: the [[Stockholm Network]]. It offeres 'both local messages and locally-tailored global messages', backed by 'Europe's brightest policymakers and thinkers.' Many members of the network do not understand just how commercial it is. [[Sacha Kumaria]], the network's director of programmes, admitted that it does take corporate funding, from [[Pfizer]] and others, but declined to say how much<ref>Corporate Europe, [http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=2187 Pfthink Tank Pfonies], ''Corporate Watch'', Newsletter 27, 3, Accessed 24-April-2010</ref>.
  
 +
According to the Corporate Europe Observatory:
  
 +
:In addition to its networking and think tank role, the Stockholm Network operates a commercial consultancy firm called Market House International Ltd. According to the Stockholm Network website, Market House International is "host to the Stockholm Network". Market House International Ltd describes itself as "an ideas and public policy consultancy". Staff include key people from the Stockholm Network headquarters and [[Nicole Gray Conchar]] from the [[International Policy Network]] (IPN). The presence of this commercial consulting arm creates further confusion about the Network's funding and web of influence. For example, is it Market House International Ltd. or the Stockholm Network that organises 'think tank tours' and other outreach to promote prominent neoliberal figures like [[Johan Norberg]]? Beyond the Stockholm Network, Market House International also works for "a range of corporate and other clients, providing background research, advice and expertise in the public policy sphere." The complex web of interaction and financing only acts to further emphasise the need for financial transparency which details how much funding comes to which institutions and for what purpose<ref>CEO, [http://archive.corporateeurope.org/stockholmnetwork.html Covert industry funding fuels the expansion of radical rightwing EU think tanks], ''Corporate Europe Observatory'', July 2005</ref>.
 +
[[Image:Market House Staff Profiles.jpg|right|thumb|380px|Market House Profile of [[Helen Disney]], 2004]]
  
 +
==Affiliations==
  
[[Image:Market House Staff Profiles.jpg|right|500px|Market House Staff Profiles|text-bottom]]
+
[[Stockholm Network]] | [[Populus]] | [[The Times]]
  
 
==Resources==
 
==Resources==
 
*Internet Archive [http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.market-house.co.uk/ http://www.market-house.co.uk/]
 
*Internet Archive [http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.market-house.co.uk/ http://www.market-house.co.uk/]
*Internet Archive [http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.stockholm-network.org/markethouse/?content=staffprofiles Staff Profiles] Stockholm Network page on Market House International staff  
+
*Internet Archive [http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.stockholm-network.org/markethouse/?content=staffprofiles Staff Profiles] Stockholm Network page on Market House International staff
 +
*288a Appointment of Rick Nye as Secretary, [http://spinprofiles.org/images/e/ee/Stockholm_Network_Sec_Appointed_5-12-03_%28Address_Redacted%29.jpg Stockholm  Network Secretary Appointed 05-12-2003], ''Companies House'', 05-November-2003
 +
*Market House international Changes its name to The Stockholm Network, [http://spinprofiles.org/images/c/c0/Stockholm_Network_name_change_6-02-06.jpg Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name], ''Companies House'', 06-February-2006
 +
*Market House International, [http://spinprofiles.org/images/8/83/Stockholm_Network_incorporation_docs_5-11-03.jpg Certificate of Incorporation of a Private Limited Company], ''Companies House'', 05-November-2003
 +
*288a Appointment of Helen Disney as Director, [http://spinprofiles.org/images/8/88/Stockholm_Network_New_director_5-12-03_%28Address_Redacted%29.jpg Stockholm Network New Director 05-12-03], ''Companies House'', 05-12-2003
 +
*Corporate Watch (UK), [http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=2187 Pfthink Tank Pfonies], ''Corporate Watch'', Newsletter 27, 3, Accessed 24-April-2010
  
 
==Contact information==
 
==Contact information==

Latest revision as of 13:30, 29 June 2010

Market House Logo

Market House International (2003-2006), was a Public Relations (PR) consultancy created by Helen Disney and Rick Nye to run the Stockholm Network of neoliberal think tanks. The Stockholm Network had been operating since it was set up by Helen Disney in 1997 and was closely connected to Swedish think tank Timbro. Helen Disney set up Market House International in 2003 and the company operated until 2006 when it was renamed as the Stockholm Network Ltd.[1][2]

On the incorporation of Market House on 5 November 2003, Helen Disney was listed as its director and former Times journalist, and director of Populus Rick Nye was listed as the company's secretary[3][4]. The company's original website published staff profiles of Disney alongside those of Nicole Gray Conchar and Sacha Kumaria.[5]

Market House Homepage 2004[6]

People

Helen Disney, Director | Nicole Gray Conchar | Sacha Kumaria | Rick Nye, Company Secretary

Criticism

Paul Staines described the relationship between Market House International and Stockholm Network in a 2005 article for The Times:

The Stockholm Network, which presents itself as a pan-European think-tank co-ordinating body, turns out to be in fact the public face of Market House International, a PR consultancy that tells corporate clients that the network gives it "local capacity to deliver both local messages and locally tailored global messages in a wide range of countries"[7].

Corporate Watch describe how funders like Pfizer and Exxon Mobil are directing "increasing sums to fund more US-style pro-corporate think tanks", they argue that Market House International facilitate this relationship between think-tanks and corporate funding:

Sensing a lucrative business opportunity, PR consultancy Market House International (MHI) have recruited around 130 free-market European think tanks, including the Adam Smith Institute, into a coalition: the Stockholm Network. It offeres 'both local messages and locally-tailored global messages', backed by 'Europe's brightest policymakers and thinkers.' Many members of the network do not understand just how commercial it is. Sacha Kumaria, the network's director of programmes, admitted that it does take corporate funding, from Pfizer and others, but declined to say how much[8].

According to the Corporate Europe Observatory:

In addition to its networking and think tank role, the Stockholm Network operates a commercial consultancy firm called Market House International Ltd. According to the Stockholm Network website, Market House International is "host to the Stockholm Network". Market House International Ltd describes itself as "an ideas and public policy consultancy". Staff include key people from the Stockholm Network headquarters and Nicole Gray Conchar from the International Policy Network (IPN). The presence of this commercial consulting arm creates further confusion about the Network's funding and web of influence. For example, is it Market House International Ltd. or the Stockholm Network that organises 'think tank tours' and other outreach to promote prominent neoliberal figures like Johan Norberg? Beyond the Stockholm Network, Market House International also works for "a range of corporate and other clients, providing background research, advice and expertise in the public policy sphere." The complex web of interaction and financing only acts to further emphasise the need for financial transparency which details how much funding comes to which institutions and for what purpose[9].
Market House Profile of Helen Disney, 2004

Affiliations

Stockholm Network | Populus | The Times

Resources

Contact information

35 Britannia Row
London, N1 8QH
United Kingdom
Email: info@market-house.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0)20 7354 8888
Fax: +44 (0)20 7359 8888

Notes

  1. Market House International, Certificate of Incorporation of a Private Limited Company, Companies House, 05-November-2003
  2. Market House international Changes its name to The Stockholm Network, Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name, Companies House, 06-February-2006
  3. 288a Appointment of Helen Disney as Director, Stockholm Network New Director 05-November-03, Companies House, 05-12-2003
  4. 288a Appointment of Rick Nye as Secretary, Stockholm Network Secretary Appointed 05-12-2003, Companies House, 05-November-2003
  5. Staff Profiles, Nicole Gray Conchar & Sacha Kumaria, Market House International, Accessed via Web Archive 23-April-2010
  6. Market House International Staff Profiles, Retrieved from the Web Archive of 22 June 2004, accessed 23-April-2010
  7. Paul Staines, You want policy? In cash?, The Times, 20-December-2005, Accessed 24-April-2010
  8. Corporate Europe, Pfthink Tank Pfonies, Corporate Watch, Newsletter 27, 3, Accessed 24-April-2010
  9. CEO, Covert industry funding fuels the expansion of radical rightwing EU think tanks, Corporate Europe Observatory, July 2005