DeSmog
Background
According to its agency profile at O’Dwyers, “APCO Worldwide is a global communications consultancy” with clients including “large multinational companies, trade associations, governments, NGOs and educational institutions” and has offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
APCO started in 1984 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Arnold & Porter, a law firm that initially worked closely with Philip Morris tobacco and went on to service a wider range of clients inside and outside the tobacco industry. In 1991, the group was acquired from Arnold & Porter by the media firm Grey Communications International (GCI), which made it a subsidiary of Grey Advertising. GCI later became Grey Global. [3], [4]
DeSmog
Background
FTI Consulting (NYSE: FCN) describes itself as “an independent global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations manage change, mitigate risk and resolve disputes: financial, legal, operational, political & regulatory, reputational and transactional.” [1]
FTI offers services for a wide range of industries. For example, its energy industry services offer “advisory services that address the strategic, financial, reputational, regulatory and legal needs of energy and utility clients involved in the production of crude oil, natural gas, refined products, chemicals, coal, electric power, emerging technologies and renewable energy” as well as “strategic communications services across all disciplines.” [2]
FTI maintains an “Environmental Solutions Group” which focuses on “the resolution of complex contamination, toxic tort, products liability and insurance disputes.” [3]