By POMED –
American public relations firm Weber Shandwick has ended its controversial contract with the Egyptian General Intelligence Service just days after The Atlantic published an article by Avi Asher-Schapiro about the firm’s relationship with the Egyptian mukhabarat. The article criticized the firm heavily, saying it appears that “the al-Sisi regime has found a PR firm willing to apply its considerable messaging prowess to the cause of funneling U.S. taxpayer money and goodwill towards the increasingly brutal leadership of the world’s largest Arab country.”
The New York-based PR firm signed deals with the Egyptian intelligence agency in January totaling around $1.2 million a year, while a then-subsidiary of the company, Cassidy and Associates, simultaneously signed a contract for $600,000 annually. The firms reported directly to Egyptian General Naser Fahmy of the General Intelligence Service. Weber Shandwick’s Senior Vice President in charge of global corporate communications Michele Guida stated on Tuesday that the firm had reviewed its accounts on behalf of foreign governments and had decided to end its work with Egypt and all similar accounts going forward. However, Cassidy and Associates stated its intent to continue lobbying for the Egyptian government, stating Tuesday that “Cassidy and Associates looks forward to continuing to represent the government of Egypt and highlight this important relationship with policy makers on Capitol Hill and in the administration.”
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