APCO worldwide forms strategic partnership with Talal Abu Ghazaleh Organization

Landmark agreement positions APCO to serve the Arab World.

Washington, D.C. & Jordan -APCO Worldwide a leading global public affairs and strategic communications consultancy, has today signed a partnership agreement with the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAGO), the largest Arab professional services consulting group. The partnership brings together the powerful combined and complementary experience and skills of both firms to provide a new strategic communications offering that covers much of the globe.

“This partnership provides a new and important resource for facilitating business opportunities between the West and the Arab world at a time of strategic importance. This venture increases substantially both firms’ ability to service current and future international and local clients in all 22 Arab League countries, as well as assist regional multinationals and support their capability to do business in the West,” said Margery Kraus, APCO’s president and chief executive officer.

Talal Abu-Ghazaleh said, "APCO has a global reputation for excellence in public affairs and strategic communications, as well as an in-depth understanding of clients needs across the world. With its significant network across Europe, Africa, North America and Asia our partnership with APCO provides the opportunity to align the needs and interests of our region with commercial investment opportunities and public sector engagement from the rest of the world." He added that “the alliance reflects the growing role of the Arab business and government in world affairs".

"APCO is proud to be investing in this region", said Brad Staples, CEO of APCO EMEA. "Together with the help and guidance of TAGO, we plan to bring excellence and innovation in public affairs and strategic communications to clients in this dynamic business destination. TAGO is one of the Arab world’s most respected organizations and has a long history in countries of the League. APCO looks forward to learning from them and working with our new colleagues."

The strategic partnership will be overseen by a joint advisory board and managed by senior executives. Cleopatra van de Winkel, Director Strategic Communications at APCO EMEA will join TAGO’s Executive Director Mustafa Nasereddin to manage the partnership on a day to day basis. APCO will place communications and public affairs specialists alongside TAGO colleagues at established TAGO offices.

ENDS

About APCO Worldwide

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an independently owned global communication consultancy with offices in 23 major cities throughout North America, Europe and Africa. Headquartered in Washington D.C., clients include corporations, governments, industry associations and non-profit organizations. APCO also includes among its clients six of the top 10 companies on Fortune’s Global 500. Core services include corporate, investor and internal communication, crisis management, issue management, government relations, litigation communication, media relations, coalition building, opinion research, market entry, corporate social responsibility and online communication. For more information, please visit www.apcoworldwide.com.


About Talal Abu Ghazaleh Organization (TAGO)

TAGO was established in 1972 and has become the leading Arab group of professional service firms in the fields of accounting, management consulting, training, intellectual property, legal services, information technology, recruitment, technology transfer and translation. Employing over 1000 multi-disciplined professionals and operating out of 42 offices in the Middle East and North Africa, with representative offices in Europe and North America. TAGO is the only regional firm of international, multilingual, highly trained professionals, providing diversified services. For more information, please visit www.tagi.com.

Contact: Siobhan Aalders
APCO Worldwide
saalders@acpo-europe.com
+ 44 7973 266 457