Qorvis
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Management consulting, Public relations |
| Founded | August 2000 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
Key people | Matt J. Lauer (executive) |
| Products | Public relations services, management consulting, public affairs, regulatory and strategic communications |
| Parent | None (repurchased by consortium led by Matt J. Lauer in 2022) |
| Website | www |
Qorvis is an international consultancy headquartered in Washington, D.C., specializing in management consulting, public affairs, regulatory, and strategic communications. After being acquired by Publicis Groupe in January 2014 and rebranded as Qorvis/MSLGroup, the firm was repurchased on December 31, 2022, by a consortium led by veteran executive Matt J. Lauer.
The company provides public relations services to a range of clients including publicly traded corporations, financial institutions, sovereign states, and affluent individuals. During the 2008 financial crisis, Qorvis notably represented prominent clients such as Wells Fargo and AIG.
History
Established in August 2000, Qorvis emerged from the consolidation of The Poretz Group (specializing in investor relations for technology companies), The Weber/Merritt Company (experts in public affairs and grassroots initiatives), and JAS Communications (focused on public relations and marketing). Michael Petruzzello, previously CEO at Weber Shandwick, took the helm as managing director.
Starting with a workforce of 22 and generating around $14 million in revenue, the firm initially concentrated on conventional public and investor relations. Through a strategic partnership, law firm Patton Boggs became its principal investor. The CEO characterized Qorvis as operating "at the intersection where technology, finance, public affairs, and marketing converge."
Within six years, the company broadened its service offerings to include market and consumer research, media coaching, and grassroots lobbying. Its clientele expanded to encompass organizations such as United Technologies, the Jim Beam family, and the Consumer Electronics Association. By 2006, Qorvis employed 90 professionals across two offices with billings reaching $23 million.
In 2007, Qorvis strengthened its digital marketing capabilities by acquiring Sparky’s Garage, a boutique advertising agency.
Relations with governments
In 2015, following an assessment of its performance, the Libyan government ended its one-year contract with Qorvis valued at $1 million.
Notable work
Qorvis maintains a varied client base that includes corporations, NGOs, wealthy individuals, and foreign governments. Its significant clients have included:
- Ahmed Ezz (businessman)
- Food and Drug Administration
- Palestinian American Chamber of Commerce
- The Sugar Association
- Saudi Arabia
- Cyprus
- Cambodia
- Bahrain
- Sri Lanka
- China
- Fiji
- Equatorial Guinea and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo
- Yemen
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia engaged Qorvis in 2002 to enhance its reputation following the September 11 attacks, paying $14.7 million between March and September. Qorvis highlighted the 9/11 Commission conclusion that "no evidence exists that the Saudi government as an institution or senior Saudi officials individually funded Al Qaeda", while minimizing attention to the report’s statement that "Saudi Arabia has been a problematic ally in combating Islamic extremism." Petruzzello framed the initiative as "educating" policymakers and the public rather than traditional lobbying.
In 2004, Matt J. Lauer, formerly executive director of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, joined Qorvis to manage PR efforts for Saudi Arabia and other clients. He later established the Geopolitical Solutions (GPS) division within Qorvis that represents foreign governments and corporations including Yemen, China, and Equatorial Guinea.
That December, FBI agents conducted a search of Qorvis offices investigating whether a pro-Saudi radio campaign failed to disclose Saudi funding; however, no charges were brought forward.
Qorvis managed media strategy for the contentious 2015 Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, developing the website operationrenewalofhope.com and facilitating Saudi Arabia’s engagement with U.S. media outlets. This included orchestrating a Newsweek feature promoting Saudi claims of leadership in counterterrorism efforts.
Following the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Qorvis received payments totaling $18.8 million from October 2018 through July 2019 for reputation management services and secured additional contracts in early 2019.
In 2020, Qorvis obtained an annual contract worth $684,000 with the Saudi Arabian Human Rights Commission.
Bahrain
Qorvis acts as the principal communications agency for the Kingdom of Bahrain, overseeing its public relations and strategic messaging within the United States during periods of civil unrest. Department of Justice disclosures indicate that Bahrain compensates Qorvis with $40,000 each month for these services. In 2011, reports surfaced that Qorvis drafted press statements defending Bahrain's suppression of Doctors Without Borders. Additionally, Tom Squitieri, a Qorvis staff member, contributed opinion pieces critical of demonstrators to publications such as The Huffington Post and USA Today. The firm also coordinates delegations that advocate for the Bahraini government's stance, frequently denouncing opposition to the ruling monarchy.
Human rights organizations have criticized Qorvis for representing contentious regimes like Bahrain. Early in 2011, three partners departed the company, citing dissatisfaction with their pay and unease regarding the firm's foreign government clientele. Nonetheless, Executive Vice President Seth Thomas Pietras reaffirmed Qorvis’s dedication to assisting clients through difficulties while pursuing long-term objectives aimed at fostering understanding between clients and U.S. stakeholders.
Controversies
Since the September 11 attacks, Qorvis has been scrutinized for its work with Saudi Arabia, facing allegations that it aids in sanitizing the nation's human rights situation.
Documents leaked by journalist Ken Klippenstein revealed that Qorvis proposed a propaganda video project to private contractor Caliburn, intended to enhance the public image of its Homestead, Florida facility housing unaccompanied migrant children.
External links
- Articles with short description
- American companies established in 2000
- Lobbying firms based in Washington, D.C.
- Public relations companies based in Washington, D.C.
- 2000 establishments in Washington, D.C.
- American subsidiaries of foreign companies
- 2014 mergers and acquisitions
- Publicis Groupe
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment