Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
Even as the United Arab Emirates-owned company DP World (Dubai Ports World) requested a 45-day "further review of its deal to buy management rights to terminals at major U.S. ports," it's building a massive public relations team to support the $6.8 billion deal. To "tamp down Congressional criticism," DP World hired the firm Clark & Weinstock, according to O'Dwyer's. The firm's Vin Weber, a former Republican Congressman, will head the account. (PR Week is reporting that firm partner Davis Weinstock said they "represent the embassy of the United Arab Emirates," not DP World.) DP World has also retained the Albright Group, which is headed by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; Alston & Bird, which counts former Senator Bob Dole among its lobbyists; and the Downey McGrath Group, which is headed by former Congressmen Tom Downey and Ray McGrath. Downey "is a good friend of New York Senator Chuck Schumer, who has been spearheading opposition" to the ports deal. DP World's lead PR firm is the Britain-based Bell Pottinger.
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