Pasadena PR Firm Hired by Breakaway Republics

The Saylor Company, a Pasadena-based public relations firm, has recently been hired by your not so average, everyday client that’s if separatist governments are average.

The governments of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, to breakaway republics of Georgia in the South Caucasus region, have hired the PR firm specializing in crisis management and international affairs in order to gain leverage in the ongoing fight for independence from Georgia.

Last August, tensions between Georgia and the two Republics, which are backed by regional powerhouse Russia, exploded in a full scale war when Georgia launched a ground and air-based offensive against the South Ossetian capital of Tshkhinvali. Russia quickly responded with an invasion of Georgia, occupying thirty percent of the country and putting the world on edge.

The war echoed fears of the Cold War, and although the rockets have stopped falling, the fight continues in an “expensive and aggressive information war,” currently being waged by Georgia, which lost the two Republics after the devastating Russian insurgency.

Though the regions have de facto independence now, they are only recognized as independent, sovereign nations by Russia and Nicaragua.

That’s where the Saylor Company comes in.

In official documents filed with the Justice Department, founder Mark Saylor, former senior editor of the Los Angeles Times, explains in a contract that the company will be responsible for providing “the world with an understanding of the unique history and culture,” of both South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Both Ossetians and Abkhazians speak unique languages and have different cultures than that of Georgia. The Saylor Company will use these and other facts to improve the people’s image in the international community, citing Georgian wrongdoings, Russian heroism, and Ossetian and Abkhazian want for democracy and independence.
Saylor himself declined to speak on the record, citing the confidentiality of his work with clients. However, in the contract which was signed by Saylor and Ossetian and Abkhazian officials in June, each government will pay

$30,000 a month, for 12 months, the term of the contract.

It is reported that Russia will be making these payments for the two Republics.

By Kyle  Khandikian

FULL STORY: http://pasadenaindependent.com/latest_news/pasadena-pr-firm-hired-by-breakaway-republics/

Posted by admin on Aug 27th, 2009 and filed under Pasadena News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.