GRACosway calls itself Australia’s leading public affairs agency. It lobbies for miner, BHP, and Halliburton, which supplies oil field services. It also provides advice to Santos.
The founder of GRACosway, Les Timar, has just been made CEO of the $500m Clemenger BBDO group.
His Chair at GRACosway was Helen Coonan (pictured to the left of Les above). Coonan is also on the board of the Minerals Council of Australia.
Meantime, Chevron which owns Caltex, has a new Australian agency, New World Order, which joins our polluter relations list.
New World Order Head of Strategy and Creative, Scott Oxford, told Mumbrella, “It’s an exciting and competitive category and we’re thrilled to be able to play our part in helping Chevron grow its market share.”
Of course, Chevron and Caltex, do more than just try to increase their market share. Chevron has a long history of opposing climate action. The companies have also employed lobbyists in Australia such as Willard Public Affairs and MCM Strategic.
Other recent additions to the list are Bright Yellow and Twelve, for working with Santos, as well as lobbyists, JPG Advisory, DPG Advisory and Northstar Public Affairs.
FUN FACT
Helen Coonan recently retired as Executive Director and Director of Crown Casinos after counsel assisting the Victorian royal commission into Crown said she was not the right person to oversee the cultural reform required to make Crown suitable to hold its Melbourne casino licence.
