Washington, DC – Ballard Partners, a leading U.S. lobbying firm, is proud to announce the expansion of the Ballard Global Alliance through a strategic partnership with The GR Company in the Republic of Korea. This partnership provides Ballard Partners with a footprint in Seoul and the GR Company will bolster its Washington, DC, capacity through the relationship with Ballard’s office in the nation’s capital and throughout the U.S.

“We are thrilled to be joining forces with The GR Company, a firm that shares our commitment to excellence and client-focused solutions. This partnership will empower our clients to leverage the combined expertise and influence of two leading lobbying firms, opening new opportunities in Korea and the US,” said Brian Ballard, President and Founder of Ballard Partners.

The Ballard-GR Company Korea Partnership will combine the extensive resources and expertise of both firms and provide exceptional advocacy and influence for clients across the Pacific. By joining forces, the two firms will expand their physical presence in Korea and the U.S. and be able to offer clients seamless access to a vast network of seasoned lobbyists, policymakers, and government relations professionals. This collaboration will enable clients to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, build relationships with key decision-makers and achieve their strategic objectives.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Ballard Partners, a US lobbying powerhouse. Through this partnership, we are able to offer our clients deeper and exceptional access to the American market at this critical point in time. This is a win-win for both firms and our clients, and we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership,” said Jakob Edberg, CEO and President of The GR Company.

The new office-expansion partnership will allow both firms to provide a comprehensive suite of government relations services in Korea and the US, including:

● Legislative Advocacy: Expert guidance on navigating legislative

processes and advocating for clients’ interests before lawmakers and

regulatory bodies.

● Regulatory Affairs: Strategic counsel on compliance with complex

regulations and navigating the ever-changing regulatory landscape.

● Public Affairs: Development and execution of comprehensive public

affairs campaigns to shape public opinion and build support for clients’

initiatives.

● Crisis Management: Rapid response and effective communication

strategies to mitigate and manage crises that could impact clients’

reputations and operations.

● International Market Access: Expert guidance on entering new

markets and navigating complex international trade and investment

regulations.

About the Ballard Global Alliance

The BGA is designed to meet the evolving needs of multinational corporations, trade associations, and other organizations operating worldwide. By leveraging the collective strengths of its member firms, the BGA will provide clients with:

1. Global Reach: Access to a network of experienced professionals with deep local  knowledge and relationships in key markets.

2. Seamless Service: Coordinated and integrated support across borders, ensuring a consistent and efficient experience.

3. Strategic Expertise: Insights and guidance on navigating complex political, regulatory, and public affairs challenges.

Ballard Partners will continue to expand the BGA through strategic partnerships with leading firms in other key markets.

Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific Partnerships Launch Ballard Global Alliance

Washington, D.C., Tokyo and London – Ballard Partners is pleased to announce the formation of exclusive strategic alliances with KyodoPR in Japan and SABI Strategy Group in the United Kingdom. These partnerships mark the launch of the Ballard Global Alliance (BGA), a network designed to provide unparalleled government relations and public affairs services in key international markets.

Japan: KyodoPR. KyodoPR, a premier public affairs firm in Japan, offers strategic communication and government relations counsel to a distinguished roster of domestic and international clients. The firm is renowned for its deep understanding of the Japanese political landscape and its ability to develop and execute effective communication campaigns. 

United Kingdom: SABI Strategy Group.Founded in 2015, SABI Strategy Group is a leading strategic communications firm based in London. SABI provides public relations, campaign management, research, and government advocacy services to a diverse clientele, including governments, political parties, multinational corporations, development organizations, and family offices.

Through these exclusive partnerships, clients of KyodoPR and SABI Strategy Group will benefit from Ballard Partners’ bipartisan team of lobbyists in Washington, D.C., and across the United States. Conversely, Ballard Partners’ global clients will gain unprecedented access to the expertise of KyodoPR’s consultants in Japan and SABI’s consultants in the United Kingdom. This alliance allows clients to leverage the extensive industry knowledge, expertise, and cultural acumen of both firms, enabling them to navigate complex regulatory environments and achieve their strategic objectives.

“We are honored and excited to partner with KyodoPR and SABI Strategy Group, both of whom are impressive and leading firms in their countries,” said Brian Ballard, President and Founder of Ballard Partners. “This collaboration further strengthens our ability to serve our clients by providing unparalleled service across the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.”

“We are confident that this partnership will be instrumental in providing our clients with excellent insight and assistance in the US market,” said Tetsuya Tani, President of KyodoPR. “By combining our expertise, we can offer our clients a truly comprehensive suite of services to support their business objectives.”

“By joining forces with Ballard Partners, we are solidifying our commitment to delivering unparalleled strategic counsel and support to our clients as they navigate the complexities of the American market,” said Henry Sands, Founder and Managing Director of SABI Strategy Group. “By combining our expertise, we can offer our clients a truly comprehensive suite of services to support their business objectives and navigate the evolving geopolitical environment.”

Each firm will continue to operate independently under its existing management teams while sharing offices and facilities.

About the Ballard Global Alliance

The BGA is designed to meet the evolving needs of multinational corporations, trade associations, and other organizations operating worldwide. By leveraging the collective strengths of its member firms, the BGA will provide clients with:

1. Global Reach: Access to a network of experienced professionals with deep local   knowledge and relationships in key markets.

2. Seamless Service: Coordinated and integrated support across borders, ensuring a consistent and efficient experience.

3. Strategic Expertise: Insights and guidance on navigating complex political, regulatory, and public affairs challenges.

Ballard Partners will continue to expand the BGA through strategic partnerships with leading firms in other key markets.

Contact:

Justin Sayfie, Ballard Partners, [email protected]

Katsuya Watanabe, KyodoPR

Henry Sands, SABI Strategy Group

Washington, DC – Ballard Partners, a leading U.S. lobbying and public affairs firm, today announced the opening of its new office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the firm’s commitment to providing strategic counsel and advocacy services to clients operating in the dynamic Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

“The opening of our Riyadh office is a testament to our firm’s continued growth and our dedication to serving clients on a global scale,” said Brian Ballard, Founder and President of Ballard Partners. “After meeting with government officials during my recent trip to the region, I am confident in the success of the Kingdom’s strategic framework for reform, Saudi Vision 2030. Our presence in Riyadh will allow us to better serve our clients’ interests in the region and beyond.”

Leading the firm’s Riyadh office and MENA practice is Jasmine Zaki, an accomplished attorney with extensive experience in international law and a deep understanding of the Middle East and North Africa region. Zaki brings a wealth of expertise to Ballard Partners, having previously served as Senior Counsel at Bechtel and as an international law practitioner at a leading international law firm, advising clients on investment and market entry in the MENA region. Zaki also serves as Chair of the Board of the Middle East Policy Council and is a media contributor as a subject matter expert on current events in the Middle East.

“I am thrilled to be joining Ballard Partners and leading the firm’s new office in Riyadh,” said Zaki. “The MENA region is undergoing rapid transformation, and I look forward to working with our clients to navigate this complex landscape.”

Joining Zaki as partners in the Riyadh office are Sheikh Abdullah bin Zaid Al-Meleihi and former Congressman Robert Wexler.

Al-Meleihi is Chairman of Al-Ramez International Group and Chairman of its subsidiary, Saudi Excellence Holding Company. Al-Ramez International Group has investment activities in the Kingdom as well as abroad in real estate, agriculture, security, entertainment, construction, telecom and marketing, renewable energy and retail. The cornerstone of the group are its investments in new and developmental technology in line with the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030 reform plan, and Al-Meleihi’s companies are attracting foreign companies to start up in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Meleihi is a member of the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was chairman of the Saudi-Singapore Business Council from 2006 to 2017.

“I am honored to join Ballard Partners at this pivotal moment as the firm establishes a presence in Riyadh,” said Sheikh Abdullah. “The opportunities for increased commerce and investment in the region and the U.S. are unlimited, and I look forward to assisting the firm’s clients unlock those opportunities.”

Wexler served as a Democratic Member of Congress representing Florida’s 19th district from 1997 to 2010. During his tenure in Congress, Wexler served as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe, a senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and a member of the Middle East Subcommittee. Wexler currently serves as the President of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace in Washington, D.C.

“I look forward to helping our clients navigate the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of the Middle East. This region holds immense potential for growth and collaboration, and I am committed to leveraging my experience and relationships to pursue valuable opportunities on behalf of our clients.”