News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Feb. 9, 2018: Caribbean governments in 10 countries spent a whopping combined total of US$ 3 million in the first six months of 2017 alone on lobbyists and public relations, News Americas has found.
Here’s the breakdown from the latest US government’s FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act) report from the Attorney General, referenced from most to least in US dollars. The number here does not reflect the spend by the Caribbean Tourism Organization or the Caribbean Tourism Development Company. That reported PR spend, combined for the six-month period ending June 30, 2017, totaled $550,846.
Spend from most to least:
Bahamas
The government of The Bahamas shelled out a whopping $1,223,579.48 for the six-month period ending February 28, 2017 to Hogan Lovells US LLP at 13th Street, N.W. Columbia Square Washington, DC for “legal and government consulting services.” No further details were provided.
Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands paid Coyne Public Relations, LLC of 5 Wood Hollow Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054 $204,836.00 for the six-month period ending February 28, 2017 for “public relations and media outreach services” including the development of press materials, media relations, programs, newsletters, and speech writing. At the same time, the government also paid Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP of Four Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA $203,226.36 for the six-month period ending January 31, 2017 to lobby on its behalf. This included legislative and public policy advice on the country’s education and advocacy program in the United States.
Trinidad & Tobago
The twin-island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago paid $600,000 for the six-month period ending April 30, 2017 theGroup DC, LLC of 1730 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20006 for lobbying and consulting services, including analysis and strategic counsel regarding the United States policy and political developments of concern.
Jamaica
Jamaica paid up $474,194.47 for the six-month period ending March 31, 2017 to Finn Partners, Inc. at 301 E. 57th Street New York, NY for “public relations” that included “business, grassroots, and business outreach services.”
Dominica
Dominica’s government shelled out $95,000 for the six-month period ending May 31, 2017 to Mercury Public Affairs, LLC of 300 Tingey Street, Washington, DC 20003 for strategic consulting services.
Aruba
For the six-month period ending June 30, 2017, the government of Aruba spent $84,747.07 with Hills Stern & Morley, LLP of 1850 M Street, NW, Washington, DC for “public relations” which included the company assisting the government in arranging meetings and speaking engagements with civic groups while also monitoring and advising on issues and developments affecting Aruba’s economy and trade.
British Virgin Islands
The government of the British Virgin Islands paid $50,000 for the six-month period ending March 31, 2017 to Hyman, Lester of 3826 Van Ness Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20016 for lobbying and legal and consulting services.
Antigua & Barbuda
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda spent US$32,604.68 with Hogan Lovells US LLP of 13th Street, N.W. Columbia Square Washington, DC for legal and lobbying services for the six-month period ending February 28, 2017. According to the FARA filings, Hogan Lovells represented the government with an application to the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation, to have the U.S. Secretary of Education determine that the island’s medical program accreditation standards are comparable to those used in the United States.
St. Barts
The French Caribbean island of St. Barths paid up $27,185.58 for the six-month period ending January 31, 2017 to Lou Hammond & Associates, Inc. of 900 3rd Avenue, Suite 401 New York, NY 10022 for “public relations.” This included media visits, press releases, and monitored media posts in the United States and Canada on behalf of the island.
Barbados
Barbados had the least spend of any of its neighbors, spending just$890 for the six-month period ending February 28, 2017 with Berliner Corcoran & Rowe, LLP of 1101 17th Street, NW Suite 1100 Washington, DC for “consulting services … related to a potential bilateral investment treaty with the United States and on an opportunity with Argentina to have a Barbados honorary consul.”
