Ogilvy Government Relations is a full-service government relations firm with a wide range of subject matter expertise. For more than a decade, we have represented leading corporations and institutions with legislative and regulatory concerns in Washington, DC. We have developed special expertise and achieved positive outcomes for our clients in areas such as appropriations, healthcare, defense, energy, environment, financial services, homeland security, tax policy, telecommunications and transportation.

OGR solves problems in a timely and effective way by advising dozens of Fortune 500 companies and smaller clients in the following areas:

Government Affairs – OGR advocates on behalf of its clients before key decision-makers in government on a daily basis. Effective advocacy on behalf of clients often requires the simultaneous employment of two strategies. For example:

• Offense – Working with clients to “move the decimal” with government activity. This may involve securing a shorter depreciation schedule in the tax code or expanding a definition to include new technologies that would qualify for government funds.
• Defense – Working with coalitions in the private sector and government officials who share your philosophy to block government regulation from adversely impacting a corporation’s balance sheet. This work may include provisions within healthcare, regulatory reform or climate legislation that have a negative or disproportionate effect on a corporation.

Transaction Support – Almost every business transaction carries a degree of political risk. OGR, with its substantial experience in advising private equity funds and investment banks, has played critical roles in advising these funds on their domestic and overseas acquisitions and divestments. For example, the Department of Treasury never anticipated much of a reaction when it gave approval to the sale of a package of domestic ports to a Dubai-based fund. When significant backlash ensued against the foreign fund, OGR intervened and seized on the opportunity and successfully secured the purchase of the ports for a domestic private equity investor.

Due Diligence – OGR is often engaged by domestic or foreign entities before commencing a transaction or making a major announcement. In advance of such announcements, OGR engages key policymakers for reaction and feedback. OGR uses its information to develop an action plan designed to minimize political risk and then executes the plan in accordance with the announcement.

Crisis Response and Reputation Management – OGR has handled a number of high profile crisis response assignments helping our clients through very difficult and challenging periods. Our approach to crisis management involves addressing the immediate strategic and political needs of our client while making sure that the brand is protected in the long term. We go where we need to go to make sure our client’s point of view is understood by key decision-makers. To manage a crisis effectively it is essential to have strong political relationships; to gather intelligence on an ongoing basis; to be clear in your messaging; to develop a winning strategy; and to make sure that each and every decision made advances that agreed upon strategy.
Litigation Support – The Congress has increasingly become an environment where plaintiffs’ attorneys and corporations are using legislators and the committee process to further their litigation pursuits. OGR advises its clients on how to work with members of Congress to advance the goals of their litigation or minimize the impact of settlements against them. Coordination with media strategists is often essential to safeguard the reputation and image of the client and the brands associated with the client.