The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently engaged the services of two New York PR firms for $30,000 a month.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs deputy director general for public affairs Gideon Meir told "Globes" that the ministry is considering hiring an Israeli PR firm. He said that if the ministry decides to go through with the idea, it will publish a closed tender within six weeks.
The ministry recently engaged the services of the New York PR firms Howard Rubinstein and Morris, Carrick & Guma. Nevertheless, Meir said that 60-70% of the information distributed overseas comes from Israel and is sent to local media networks at the ministry's initiative.
Meir said, "We need a professional agency that specializes in media events consultancy and can also discipline the system."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs's annual public relations budget is NIS 44 million. Meir says the ministry is paying a total $30,000 monthly retainer to the two New York PR firms.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 19 August 2001