Gov’t hires US strategic communication firm

The Government of Dominica has hired a US-based firm “for strategic communication and media relations consulting work,” according to documents obtained by Dominica News Online.

The government has not made public its agreement with Mercury Public Affairs LLC, based in New York, however according to the documents, which the firm must file under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 in the US, it became effective as of February 5, 2017 until April 30, 2017 and shall continue on a month to month basis afterwards.

The documents stated that the client, that is the Commonwealth of Dominica, will make an initial payment of US$35,000, which includes US $5,000 advance payment for travel expenses upon execution of the agreement.

“Mercury is providing strategic communication and media relations consulting to the Commonwealth of Dominica,” the documents said.

It further said, “Client and Consultant agree that Client retains Consultant to render consulting services to the Client as specified in Schedule 1 (see above) attached hereto,” it reads. “In addition, subject to any limitations set forth in Schedule 1, Consultant will provide such other reasonable consulting services as the parties shall mutually agree to in writing (together with the consulting services identified in Schedule 1, the Services) during the term…”

The documents were signed on the behalf of Dominica by Secretary to the Cabinet, Steve Ferrol.

On its website, Mercury Public Affairs LLC, described itself as “a high-stakes public strategy firm.”

“We provide results for the world’s most successful companies, leading advocacy groups, governments, political parties, NGOs, and prominent public and political figures,” the website said.

The website also said the company has 17 offices worldwide, 300 clients and 133 experts.

Mercury did almost US $5.4-million in the lobbying business last year, according to the US-based Center for Responsive Politics.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

51 Comments

  1. AUDITOR
    March 20, 2017

    why is the cab-sec involved in that… skerrit have them so much they cannot tell him NO. they all sign for him… like derby lake and biotec. them two woman signature not him and his lawyers. greedy dominicans, look foolish people

  2. Ask Pluto
    March 19, 2017

    The question is can Mercury even help Skerrit to twist the facts? In my humble opinion I see that $30,000 USD a month investment as a waste of money that we badly need in Dominica, and frankly I believe it will hurt Skerrit even more. Skerrit needs to understand that Mercury is an American firm and they ARE NOT going to deceive the Americans and put their countryu at risk with terrorists and corrupt men that looking for diplomatic passport to hide from the law like Monfared did. In fact they will take the money and act sellout anything that looks like a lead the US need to know about. Their hire is just a faster way to catch and expose the nakedness of Roosevelt Skerrit. He could turn to Mercury, to Venus, to Earth, to Mars to, Jupiter, to Saturn, to Uranus to Neptune and he could even do like Saul in 1 Sam 28, and turn to the witches to raise the dead or bring back Pluto, he still cannot escape.

  3. viewsexpressed
    March 19, 2017

    This matter of consultancy should be debated in our House of assembly, the most decent and democratic thing to do, is exposed our parliamentarians in a debate to scrutinise, monitor, receive updates of this long hidden scheme of Skerrit and his rogues. There is enough sickled professionals in the House of Assembly from both sides to debate our issues and not just handed to a foreign company.
    I am hoping that when this so called consultant firm is done that its findings will be shared with the opposition to be followed by a debate in parliament. That is how any credible government would behave. Respect to our people our democratic process and our Parliament.

  4. ??
    March 18, 2017

    The gov can either rollover and die or be proactive and counteract the damage done by the UWP. Smart move….

    • Look It
      March 20, 2017

      I remember a story my mom told me when I was growing up…

      A mother had a son, he would steal, lie and do all wrong but she kept supporting him and never telling him what he was doing was wrong. Finally he met his demise when he was caught by the law for all his wrong doings, and as he stood in the town waiting to be hung, he beckon to his mother to come. When she came close he bent, pretending to kiss her, bit off her ears.

      Never because you get a couple of dollars now and then, support the wrong Skerrit is doing.

  5. Sea Soe
    March 18, 2017

    For the sake of consistency I hope that this firm is not run by white blue eye men. This DLP and their operatives are all out of their mind.

  6. March 18, 2017

    This waste of money would not be possible if Linton and others had kept their propaganda local. Linton announced to the whole world that that Dominica posed a threat to global security by it’s mismanagement of the CBI program and the association of PM Skeritt with international criminals. No credible evidence have been produced yet Linton published his allegations world wide. Copies of his allegations were sent to all Caricom leaders, the UN, CNN, the Pope and President Trump, a total smear campaign. If any one is responsible for a crisis, if there is one, it is the Hon. Leader of the opposition. To date there have been no evidence that Dominica poses a threat to global security but the opposition continues with its allegations with the help of right-wing extremist, like Rijock, Copley and Batchelor.

  7. Delbert Harry
    March 18, 2017

    Sa pa fè sans. Poutji yo ka dépansé lajan konsa??

  8. Non-Partisan
    March 18, 2017

    Dominica’s Citizen by Investment program has received a huge negative publicity blitz internationally over the last several weeks. Regardless who has caused potential investors or visitors to think twice about their intentions to invest in or visit Dominica, quite a bit of work has to be done to restore their confidence in Dominica. So, if the Government has to remain in office until general elections are constitutionally due, then it needs to get help to rebuild the image of Dominica as the nature island of the caribbean and as a SAFE place to do business and escape for a vacation. It makes sense that internationally recognized media and publicity experts need to be engaged in this massive effort. If this is not done, nothing that is done locally will attract these “foreigners” to our shores.

    We have to learn not to start fires and then when the fires are blazing all over the place, to turn around and ask why the firemen are taking so long to put out the fires.

  9. CIA Agent
    March 17, 2017

    Dominica is currently under “FLAK ATTACK”

    http://gawker.com/tag/mercury-public-affairs

    Flack: an informal term for a media relations representative. – Wikipedia

    With sophisticated technology, covert operation experience, and US $5,000 advance payment for travel expenses upon execution of the agreement which was dated February 5, 2017 activities are already ongoing.

    This act by the PM is tantamount to an admission of guilt and his opponents should seriously be considering counterespionage measures.

  10. Spike
    March 17, 2017

    A PR firm in the US is hired either to change the minds of Americans or to change the minds of Dominicans. Advertising the nation in the US might lead to more tourism, though that’s no reason not to disclose the contract and the goal. To change the minds of Dominicans, one contributes to Mr. Skerrit’s political party; and if people cannot do that and Mr. Skerrit cannot change minds himself, then the proper result is that he loses an election, though first you have to have an election. Sale of passports I like; you get people with new skills. But the US and Canada require them to start a business, hire locals, and hopefully stay and manage it. The revenue should go into the general budget, though, to be accounted for and expended by a vote of Parliament. Sale of diplomatic passports, I had not heard about; is that the case? It is not that the purchaser breezes through customs, but that other countries and their border agents cease to trust Dominica entirely.

  11. King Skerritt
    March 17, 2017

    Over a quarter million dollars of poor people’s money to manage the crisis Skerrit created. No money to pay public works. 0% 0% 0% for civil servants. #SkerritMustGoNOW

    https://www.fara.gov/docs/6170-Exhibit-AB-20170309-24.pdf

  12. Locs Girl
    March 17, 2017

    What is the purpose of this overspending?

  13. March 17, 2017

    skirit its time to pack up and go

  14. IFF I WUZ PARRY
    March 17, 2017

    I would tell Skeritt his timing of the payment to that US company of $30,000 US monthly with a possibility of more payments later is a bad move. He cannot be offering public servants a wage freeze for three years and at the same time offering a foreign company all that money to control something that is already internationally out of control. Parry should also ask him what does he expect the company to do, when three of the players associated to him or Dominica are presently awaiting trial.

  15. Uranus & Venus next
    March 17, 2017

    Monfared caused a storm over Dominica and Skerrit wants to get some Sun so he is forced to turn to MERCURY, for help lol. $30 k a month means $1000 US
    $2, 671. EC a day to cover Monfared and Skerrit mess.

  16. March 17, 2017

    We pa pa bondi what am I hearing , tell me it isn’t so, with all the infrastructural work that need to be completed in Dominica we hire a P. R. firm from the U.S. to do what ? this is unbelievable Skerro has lost his mind , so he think the people’s money is his own little coffer that he can just spend any way that he like ?.

    • Let The Truth Be Told - Original
      March 18, 2017

      Who people money? What have you put into Dominica’s revenue? When will you learn respect and for the government and give the credit that is due?
      So the government cannot do anything without people as you finding faults and criticizing? What good are you to Dominica? Know the reason why he hired the firm. He has a valid reason to do so. I think you are the one who has lost your mind. Your little mind is inoperable. Become broadminded.

  17. An Act of Contrition
    March 17, 2017

    Forget about their pretty name on website they are a spin company that gives a 100% spin to clients in very deep trouble especially dealing with the US. So for the government of Dominica to pay US $30, 000 a month for an 80° spin from Mercury tells me two things 1. They acknowledged in secret that they put Dominica in serious crisis with their Passport sale 2. Their trouble is so deep that not even the local spin doctor, who is Skerrit’s attorney is able to help him.

    • HAHAHAYYYY
      March 17, 2017

      Hahahaha u really funny. U acxussing dem of sometging u now doing. And dno letting that comment pass. And we making factual comments and they dontvletvit pass. DNO proving to us they are one sided. But u can delete all our comments which puts uwp in bad light and exopesing their wickedness they did when they in office BUT U CANT DELETE OUR SUPPORT AND VOTE FOR TGE DOMINICA LABOUR PARTY. U CAN DELETE DAT ONE TOO OR LET IT PASS TO TAKE SHAME OUT OF U ALL EYES. BIAS MEDIA IS DNO. WE WILL SAYVITVON DAVIBES AND ON FACE BOOK AND OTHER MEDIA. SO KEEP PLAYING POLITICS AN LET PASS THE COMMENTS WJICH PUT TGE GOVT IN BAD LIGHT AND THOSE WHICH FACTUALLY PUT UWP IN BAD LIGGT DELETE DEM. BUT LABOUR WE B AND WILL STAY. OK TIM DURAND AND CREW. I REALLY DONT CARE IF U DELETE IT OR LET IT PASS.

    • Let The Truth Be Told - Original
      March 18, 2017

      What do you know? You assume? Do you what this makes a person? You cannot base your words on speculation. Get the facts and relay it; not speculations, assumptions and of fake news from those whose aim is to destroy Dominica and undermine the government. Your words are not valid.

  18. The Darkness
    March 17, 2017

    Exactly how is it planned out that these monies spent, will become monies made?

    This is how we should spend our money… If the checks do not see equal or greater balances, then we should halt the financing…

  19. Link
    March 17, 2017

    To add insult to injury, it’s worth reading this link: http://rijock.blogspot.com/2017/03/embattled-dominica-refuses-to-be.html

    • Me
      March 17, 2017

      Let me see doctor Skerrit unspin this one.

    • NabesandI
      March 18, 2017

      You people too Malicious….. You keep quoting rijok blog left right and center as if it is some credible news organization. Quote CNN for me not the ramblings of rijok…..I swear some people are so gullible

      • CIA Agent
        March 20, 2017

        Pm Skerrit signed a contract on behalf of the people of Dominica with a US firm for ~US$30,000/month without notifying them or their Parliament.

        About a month later it is posted on Rijok’s blog.

        Now people of Dominica are malicious to quote Rijok?

        While you point at them, three fingers of gullibility point to you.

    • Let The Truth Be Told - Original
      March 18, 2017

      About Rijock again? You believe that Wikileaks and have confidence in him? Can you do no better? One day this man will be arrested. Those who spread fame news/propaganda eventually have to run away and hide. This is another reason for contracting a US PR Firm.

  20. The mouth
    March 17, 2017

    This is what opposition looks and feels like. At last.

  21. Rosie
    March 17, 2017

    This is a message to Lennox and the UWP that you must change your strategy. Being on Q95 and Facebook only will not cut it.
    It is clear that Skerrit does not care a damn about the campaign in Dominica, he has the Dominica part under control. It is the international impact that has him on the run. UWP must realize that this partisan approach is being selfish and is allowing Skerrit to escape with murder.
    The time has come for UWP to bring together all the forces in a united front against this corrupt government.
    Stop this WORKERS nonsense and get the Freedom Party, Pappy, unions, churches, women, youth and all sectors of society to rally against this nasty government.
    Why is UWP allowing DBS RADIO to carry Labour party townhalls live? Why isn’t the leader on the DBS and Marpin news? Where are the banners, the posters, the bulletins needed to step up the campaign.
    If the march on the 30th is UWP event count me out.
    Lennox, the time has come for united action on united party!

    • Toto
      March 17, 2017

      We don’t need you pal. It is your privilege to stay at home and rest in peace.

    • viewsexpressed
      March 18, 2017

      I agree, could observation. Go for it. Go consult with savarin and ask him how he manipulated the churches and other groups, companies to be art of the overthrow of the then Labour party. the UWP must go that route and rally ore support.

    • kalaloo
      March 19, 2017

      if u not willing to stand best u hush. we cant wait for someone else to change this country for us. Dominica is wayy past adulthood

    • CARTREATS
      March 19, 2017

      Rosie i agree with this statememt ” Why is UWP allowing DBS RADIO to carry Labour party townhalls live?”

    • Real recognize Real
      March 19, 2017

      Lol. This comment is pure GOLD.
      It have UWP and Labour supporters TOODY (2D)

    • freedom fighter
      March 19, 2017

      Rosie I read your comment and nowhere did you include yourself as an instrument of change.we all have to come on board and rally for change. Every organization you mention is aligned with Skerrit and the Lazy Party,but how long? Not long!,

  22. Anthony Ismael
    March 17, 2017

    I wonder how many pounds of fish we have to export to pay that bill. Maybe Drigo has more funds left over from fish sales last year. After all, we sold 1 million pounds of fish last year to foreign countries. Based on the type of fish, the treasury should still be full of hot air like Drigo. :-P :-P :-P :-P :-P :-P :-P

    • HAHAHAYYYY
      March 18, 2017

      People of grandfond make sure all u getvall u money upfront. Now i hearing grandfond people saying halay whooclay ohla zor weh thompson

  23. %
    March 17, 2017

    I read this on Rijocks blogg yesterday…So Skerrit,Tony,Sogo,CuCum,Mammys,Brain,Mills,Simion,Parry….PLEASE STOP TELLING me that Kenneth Rijock is a liar..Go have a look at yourselves in the mirror.

  24. Din-din
    March 17, 2017

    This is getting more insane by the day. When did our lovely Isle of beauty , isle of splendor need to hire a US firm to cushion our image. This is madness. Skerrit has to go- no ifs and buts………. he has to go….

    • Jo
      March 17, 2017

      He won’t go, he’s the next Mugabe

      • jonathan st jean
        March 19, 2017

        You are wrong,he will go and soon.Dominica just outside the 3rd border of the US and not way off in Africa

  25. Lang Mama
    March 17, 2017

    DNO if you have the document why not upload it for the readers. I saw a copy with the signature of Steve Ferrol . Not everyone has a copy. DNO MSNBC for examply displayed the copy of trump taxes in 2005
    do the same in this regard and let the chips fall wherever.
    You guys have uploaded documents to accompany articles , i have seen it. Do whst fesrless journalists do

    • HAHAHAYYYY
      March 17, 2017

      They wont cus they part of the carbal. But we can get it. It matters not to us wwn the uwp and dre supporters stay ignorant. That is y we vote on knowladge and DNO CANT CHANGE DAT. THEY WILL KEEP THE MINORITY IN THE DARK. SEE HOW THEY UPLOAD mon feries passport number so fast and wicked as they are disnt say it canclled. Wwn tony came out they said accosing to tony astaphan and not saying the real truth

    • AUDITOR
      March 20, 2017

      lol, thinking the same… if i have it dno has it too

  26. Ibo France
    March 17, 2017

    The more opaque a government is the more prone to corruption it becomes. When people have overstayed their time in government, the power of the office gets to their head. In their warped minds, the country becomes their personal playground to do as they please. They make frequent overseas trips, use the country’s scare financial resources recklessly, without a word to the taxpayers. Be brave enough to speak out against these blatant transgressions and you become the ENEMY of the STATE. You are immediately vilified, humiliated and diminished with vicious attacks on your character. The country needs a fresh start, a new direction, a different trajectory.

    • Truth Knowledge
      March 17, 2017

      Careful what you wish for Ibo…You might just get to learn what wasting scare resources really looks like, as did the populace of 1995-2000…

      • freedom fighter
        March 19, 2017

        Stop being a Jackass, Jack, during 1995-2000 Dominicans had more money in their pockets.

  27. Lang Mama
    March 17, 2017

    Someone just ask me whether Dominicans are covered with wool or they have cotton garments to kerp them warm
    i told my friend I am not sure but i see alot of Dominicans goi g to the slaughter quietly and i hear alot meeerrrr when they are out grazing.
    The joke is that 3/4 of the cabinet had no idea that happened until the news was released. Rumson didnt have a clue, lang lu stuttered, weave freak said wow, fuke man chu said really, and Cabinot said all o care about is the money.

    • FORKIT
      March 19, 2017

      no not wool but doodoo. it so thick they cannot even breath much less to see

  28. Anthony Ismael
    March 17, 2017

    So EC$280,000.00 for the “Spin Doctor Firm” and EC1,000,000.00 at 2% interest for musicians. This is why our priorities will always be out of whack. So my guess is, the spin doctors will tell us that the Cabal did not sell our Diplomatic passports to a bunch of international crooks. This is a bad sign for “Tony.” His constant threats, lies and general propaganda has been rendered meaningless. The good people of Dominica are not easily fooled, nor are they scared of the Cabal, irrespective of the jailing of various opposition members, beginning with “Danny Lugay.” Keep up the pressure and keep playing that guitar. The Cabal’s days are numbered!

  29. zandoli
    March 17, 2017

    So now they have engaged to the services of a PR firm to help them on messaging? Telling Dominicans the simple truth in language they can understand is no longer good enough?

    Looks like Tony Astaphan is not doing a good enough job of spinning the government’s message?

    So unless under US law the lobby/PR firm did not disclose this, we would never have known about the new spin doctors we hired?

    Just another waste of very precious resources. That money could be used to repair the Salisbury feeder road.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available