Warwick Smith elected to V-P role for US group

Adam Hill, PR Week UK, Wednesday, 29 November 2006, 7:00pm,

Warwick Smith, managing partner of College Hill's nascent public affairs operations, has been elected V-P of US-based government relations organisation The Advocacy Group.

The non-executive appointment makes Smith - recently installed as managing partner of College Public Policy (PRWeek, 20 Oct) - number three on the board of TAG, a Washington-based umbrella body for US and international PA firms.

TAG has around 50 members that refer business to one another. All but four of its US companies operate solely in one US state, but TAG also has six international member agencies, covering Canada, Mexico, Spain, Latin America, Malaysia and Europe.

Members pay an annual fee but receive commission on business they refer to other firms.

Smith has been TAG's international board member for the past two years. College Hill has now taken the place of Citigate Public Affairs - where Smith previously worked - as TAG's representative in the UK and EU.

Smith said: ‘These are very personal relationships. Client relationships are on the line whenever people refer business, and without that trust it wouldn't work.'

Smith, who reports to TAG MD David McCloud, estimates his new role will occupy ‘a day or two a month' of his time both here and in the US.

Smith will remain V-P for up to three years. TAG's HQ is in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington DC. It was set up in 1992.