The American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) is the trade group for the political consulting profession in the United States. Founded in 1969, it is the world's largest organization of political consultants, public affairs professionals and communications specialists. Its "multipartisan" membership consists of political consultants, pollsters, media consultants, campaign managers, corporate public affairs officers, professors, lobbyists, fundraisers, congressional staffers, and vendors.
The Livingston Group (TLG) is the lobbying firm founded by former Congressman Bob Livingston in 1999 after he stepped down as Speaker-elect and resigned his seat. TLG describes its services on its official website, saying it provides comprehensive public affairs, government relations and lobbying services on a global basis. Recognized as one of the most respected bipartisan government relations firms in Washington, D.C., TLG also provides marketing services and public affairs counsel in the areas of coalition building and strategic communications.
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is a professional body in the United Kingdom for public relations practitioners. Founded as the Institute for Public Relations in 1948, CIPR was awarded Chartered status by the Privy Council of the United Kingdom in 2005 and added "Chartered" to its name. As of late 2012, CIPR had 10,095 members. The association provides training and education, publishes a code of conduct and hosts awards and events. It is governed by a Board of Directors led by a President who is elected each year.
Lobbying in the United States describes paid activity in which special interests hire well-connected professional advocates, often lawyers, to argue for specific legislation in decision-making bodies such as the United States Congress. It is a highly controversial phenomenon, often seen in a negative light by journalists and the American public, with some critics describing it as a legal form of bribery or extortion. While lobbying is subject to extensive and often complex rules which, if not followed, can lead to penalties including jail, the activity of lobbying has been interpreted by court rulings as constitutionally protected free speech and a way to petition the government for the redress of grievances, two of the freedoms protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. Since the 1970s, lobbying activity has grown immensely in the United States in terms of the numbers of lobbyists and the size of lobbying budgets, and has become the focus of much criticism of American governance.
Alcalde & Fay is a lobbying firm based in Arlington, Virginia. The firm consists of over 35 former politicians, public relations specialists, lawyers, journalists, and corporate executives. A team of Alcalde & Fay associates and a senior partner handles clients. The firm practices in all areas of legislative affairs, communications, and government marketing.
Caledonia Consulting is a public affairs and communications firm, established in December 2006, in Edinburgh, Scotland, and run by director Devin Scobie.
The British Furniture Confederation (BFC) is a lobby group that represents the furniture and bed making industries of the United Kingdom. It ensures that the views of its members are heard by Parliamentarians and government Ministers and is active in Westminster working on behalf of the industry.
Lobbying in the United Kingdom plays a significant role in the formation of legislation and a wide variety of commercial organisations, lobby groups "lobby" for particular policies and decisions by Parliament and other political organs at national, regional and local levels.
Quiller Consultants is a British lobbying and public relations firm based in Westminster in central London that has close links to the Conservative party.
Parliamentary Monitoring Services is a United Kingdom-based political research and publishing company. The company researches the activities of the United States Congress, European Parliament, and the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Consultants to the company have included British politicians Sir Peter Fry and William Howie, Baron Howie of Troon. The company published PMS Guide to Pressure Groups and PMS Guide to the 1997 General Election.
Public affairs generally refer to the building and development of relations between an organization and politicians, governments and other decision-makers.
MHP Communications is a public relations and public affairs firm, formed in 2010 from the merger of Mandate Communications, Hogarth PR and Penrose. It is owned by the Engine Group.
Portland Communications Ltd is a political consultancy and public relations agency set up in 2001 by Tim Allan, a former adviser to Tony Blair and Director of Communications at BSkyB. In 2012 a majority stake in Portland was purchased by Omnicom.
The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) is a trade association for the public relations sector in the United Kingdom. The association lobbies on behalf of its member companies and also provides a forum for sharing information. It is the largest PR association in Europe, with more than 12,000 members including agencies, in-house communications teams and individual media professionals.
SKDKnickerbocker is a progressive public affairs and political consulting firm that specializes in working for Democratic Party politicians. It has offices in Washington, DC, New York City, Los Angeles, CA, and Albany, New York. The firm employs notable figures like former Obama White House Communications Director Anita Dunn, and Hilary Rosen.
The UK Public Affairs Council (UKPAC) was a United Kingdom organisation enabling self-regulation of individuals engaged in UK lobbying activities.
Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI) is a trade organization that represents India's public relations consultancy sector. It is the summit body for official communications and public relations practices in India. It was formed in October 2001 to grow, represent and support India's public relations consultancy sector in international practices. It also provides a forum for Government, public bodies, industry associations, trade and others to confer with public relations consultants as a body. It is internationally recognized organization which offers official membership to all PR practitioners which abide by the basic criteria devised by the association.
Stuart Goodman is a former gubernatorial policy advisor and current government relations consultant (lobbyist) in Arizona.
