24-hour economy commissioner splashes $275k on US-owned spin doctors

Sydney’s 24-hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues has come under fire for splashing $275,000 to hire a US-owned spin doctor to build the brand of his office.

Sydney’s 24-hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues has come under fire for splashing $275,000 in taxpayer dollars to hire US-owned spin doctor giant FleishmanHillard to build the brand of his office.

Mr Rodrigues’s office appointed the US-owned PR giant in August to promote its expansion into regional NSW, which puts it at odds with previous statements from Premier Chris Minns who has indicated he wants all agencies to hire local firms where possible instead of relying on international consultants.

Michael Rodrigues, the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman criticised the appointment of FleishmanHillard, commenting that the PR giant was known to have a chequered past with a history of representing US-based tobacco lobbying firms.

FleishmanHillard’s sister company Ketchum, both owned by US advertising giant Omnicom, was also one of the PR firms hired by the Russian government to assist with promoting the country in global media.

In 2019, the firm’s office in Belgium was accused of compiling a dossier of personal information of about 200 politicians, journalists and scientists who had raised concerns about one of their clients, glyphosate-producer Monsanto.

Premier Chris Minns has said he wants government agencies to use local expertise where possible. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Mr Speakman said the government should have chosen a local PR firm with less controversial links.

“The Premier talks big on putting NSW first but hires an international PR firm linked to pro-tobacco lobbying and Putin propaganda to run the 24-Hour Economy strategy,” he said.

“We should be backing our local expertise because no one understands NSW better than agencies owned and operated here.

“This is about more than just promoting the 24-hour economy, it’s about investing in our own people and businesses to drive real understanding.”

Opposition leader Mark Speakman has criticised the hiring of FleishmanHillard. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

FleishmanHillard were contacted for comment but did not respond before deadline.

A spokesperson for the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner said FleishmanHillard had been awarded the contract following a competitive process, with six companies applying with the global firm chosen to carry out its media and communications. The spokesperson did not say whether any of the firms that missed out were locally-owned. FleishmanHillard’s contract lasts for 12 months with the $275,000 paid for out of the office’s operating budget.

“FleishmanHillard, a company which has been operating locally for more than 30 years and employing 27 local staff, was appointed … in accordance with NSW Government procurement guidelines,” the spokesperson said.

“FleishmanHillard’s role will include increasing awareness and promoting the Office’s range of funding and support opportunities to businesses, creatives and other stakeholders right across the state.”

“Businesses in the night-time economy sector contribute $102 billion in value added annually to the NSW economy, representing 17% of the Gross State Product.”

The firm has been tasked with spreading the word around the Minns government’s 24-hour economy strategy, which will introduce a string of vibrancy reforms to lift red tape on Sydney’s night-life. These include inserting “eyes wide open” clauses into the official paperwork for new homebuyers to discourage them to complain about the noise of venues. Other changes include scrapping the rule that anyone living within five kilometres of a club must become a member in order to sign for entry.

The agency officially commenced work with the Commissioner’s office in September.

Originally published as 24-hour economy commissioner splashes $275k on US-owned spin doctors