The Other Iraq Gets Another PR Firm

Northern Iraq -- touted as "the other Iraq" in an advertising and public relations campaign by the Republican-leaning PR firm Russo Marsh & Rogers -- now has more PR help. The Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq (KRG) has hired Qorvis Communications for work on "strategic communications, internet consulting, media relations support, [and] writing / editing documents," according to the foreign lobbyist disclosure form (pdf). The firm says it will "educate and inform the American media and policy makers" and "work to change travel advisories or other statements from the USG [U.S. government] when they are inaccurate." KRG officials are happy that the U.S. State Department currently describes northern Iraq as "more stable than the rest of Iraq," with "fewer terrorist attacks," reports O'Dwyer's. The officials hope such language will "further encourage U.S. business to look into many investment opportunities available in the Kurdistan Region." KRG previously retained the Cassidy & Associates and BGR Holdings LLC lobbying firms.