Global Strategy Group
TypePrivate
IndustryPolitical consulting, public relations, research
Founded1995
Headquarters
New York City Edit this on Wikidata
Websiteglobalstrategygroup.com

Global Strategy Group, often known by its initials GSG or simply as Global,[1] is an American public relations and research firm founded in New York City in 1995.

GSG is noted for having advised former Governors of New York Eliot Spitzer and Andrew Cuomo,[2] along with other notable New York politicians. Outside of New York, GSG has advised and polled on behalf of a litany of Democratic candidates running for both state and federal office.[3] GSG also provides consultancy services in the private sector.

History and organization

In 1995, GSG was founded by Jonathan Silvan (CEO), Jefrey Pollock (President), and Jeffrey Plaut (Partner) as a boutique polling firm.[4] From its inception, GSG has conducted public opinion research on behalf of its clients.[5] Its clients have included political, corporate, and nonprofit organizations.[6] Over time, it has also developed public relations, public affairs, and creative services.[7][8] In 2008, the firm's annual revenues were about $20 million, and it had 50 employees.[5] In addition to its main offices in New York and Washington, D.C., GSG reports offices in Chicago, Denver, Seattle, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Nashville; and Hartford, Connecticut.[9]

In 2019, GSG recorded $33.4 million in revenue. That figure increased to $50.5 million the following year.[10] In 2022, the Milan-based communications firm SEC Newgate acquired a significant stake in GSG. Following this acquisition, GSG continued to function independently, while using SEC Newgate's resources to expand its operations outside the United States.[11] As of April 2022, GSG had approximately 150 employees.[11]

Political campaigns

New York State

GSG has advised New York politicians, including former Governors Andrew Cuomo and Eliot Spitzer.[2] The firm also advises current New York Governor Kathy Hochul.[12] The relationship between GSG and Hochul dates back to the New York 26th congressional district special election, when GSG did polling work for her campaign.[13]

During Andrew Cuomo's gubernatorial tenure, GSG President Jefrey Pollock was described as a member of Cuomo's "inner circle".[14] According to the New York Times, Pollock was one of the key figures who advised Cuomo in the wake of the 2021 sexual harassment scandal that ultimately culminated in his resignation.[15] A New York State attorney general report found that Pollock advised Cuomo to "express contrition" shortly after allegations against the governor became public.[16]

GSG has advised Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.[17] It has also done polling for New York House Representatives, including Joe Morelle,[18] Ritchie Torres,[19] Jerry Nadler,[20] and Pat Ryan.[21]

GSG advised Bill de Blasio during his 2009 Public Advocate campaign.[22] In 2021, GSG ran polling for 2021 mayoral candidate Scott Stringer.[23]

GSG served as Representative Joe Crowley’s pollster in the 2018 Democratic primary for New York's 14th Congressional District. Though a GSG poll commissioned by Crowley’s campaign found him up 35% versus activist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Crowley ultimately lost to Ocasio-Cortez by 15%.[24][25]

Outside of New York

In 2007, the Washington Post noted that Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards employed Harrison Hickman, a principal at GSG, as his campaign pollster. The article described this hire as evidence of the "pitfalls of hiring consultants who conduct work for corporate clients and campaigns at the same time", noting that:

"...Edwards's own pollster, Harrison Hickman, is a principal at Global Strategy Group, which represents a range of corporate clients -- including oil and pharmaceutical companies -- that don't always mesh with the candidate's message."[26]

In the 2018 election cycle GSG advised a number of Democratic campaigns, including six Democrats that flipped Republican-held congressional seats.[3] Past clients include 2000 presidential candidate Al Gore,[27] former Governor of Iowa Chet Culver,[28] former Governor of Montana Brian Schweitzer.[17] In 2016, GSG worked for Coloradans for Coloradans, an advocacy group that campaigned against an initiative to establish a single-payer healthcare system in Colorado.[29]

In 2020, GSG worked for Michael Bloomberg’s presidential campaign, and conducted polling that found that Bernie Sanders would damage the prospects of Democratic candidates if he was the party’s presidential nominee.[30] GSG was hired by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) to conduct polling on the 2020 Senate race in Georgia. GSG's research found that David Purdue, who went on to be defeated by Democratic Jon Ossoff,[31] was seen unfavorably by a plurality of voters.[32]

Corporate campaigns

Tech industry

GSG has advised companies in the technology industry, including Microsoft, Google, and Facebook, and in the telecommunications sector, most notably Comcast.[33] GSG was reportedly hired by rideshare companies Uber and Lyft to conduct research in support of their position that drivers should be classified as independent contractors, not employees.[6]

Amazon

In 2022, it was reported that GSG was hired by Amazon to help thwart the 2022 unionization drive at its JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island. Representatives from GSG reportedly sat-in on meetings where workers were shown anti-union presentations. According to CNBC, GSG monitored the social media accounts of union organizers, and distributed printed materials and videos "to discourage employees from voting to join a union."[34]

After facing criticism for their involvement, GSG told The New Yorker that "We deeply regret being involved in any way."[35][36] GSG reportedly failed to file a LM20 disclosure form with the Department of Labor, required by the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMDRA), regarding these activities.[37] Clients of GSG including the Iowa Democratic Party and the American Federation of Teachers have since cut their ties with the organization.[38] On April 14, 2022, a spokesperson for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) confirmed that the union would not employ GSG's services in the future.[39]

Pharmaceutical industry

Additionally, GSG has advised companies operating in the pharmaceutical sector, such as Purdue Pharma.[40] GSG has also worked on behalf of GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer.[6]

2010 state pension inquiry

In 2010, GSG was the subject of legal scrutiny as a result of the state investigation into Comptroller Alan Hevesi, who resigned in 2006 in a scandal.[41] According to the New York Times, GSG allegedly "helped arrange deals between the city and state pension funds and InterMedia Partners, a prominent media investment fund, beginning in 2005" during Hevesi’s tenure.[1] In the face of an investigation by the New York Attorney General’s office, GSG "paid $2 million for allegedly helping to steer money to private equity clients." According to Politico:

"The New York investigation has focused on political fixers like Morris and the Global Strategy Group, which allegedly sold entrée for fund managers to the more than $125 billion under the control of the New York State Comptroller."[42]

GSG maintained that it had not violated any state laws, and stated in a press release that "There is no finding that we violated any law, and we are pleased to resolve this matter."[43]

Alumni

Notable alumni of GSG include:

  • Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary (2021–2022): Psaki joined GSG in 2011 as senior vice president and managing director at the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.
  • Bill Burton, Deputy White House Press Secretary (2009-2011): Burton joined GSG’s Washington, D.C. office in 2013

References

  1. 1 2 Hakim, Danny (2010-04-16). "Cuomo's State Pension Inquiry Extends to the Current Comptroller's Office". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  2. 1 2 Confessore, Nicholas (2008-09-29). "In Consulting Group, Hints of How Albany Works". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  3. 1 2 "Big wins across the country...We're proud to have played a role". Global Strategy Group. 2018-11-08. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  4. ↑ Confessore, Nicholas, "In Consulting Group's Rise, Hints of How Albany Works", The New York Times, September 29, 2008.
  5. 1 2 "40 Under 40 Class of 2007". Crain's New York. 2007. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 Weatherhead, Alex (2022-03-10). "Meet the Pollsters Pushing Corporate Clients, Special Interests — and the Democrats". The Intercept. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
  7. ↑ Palmer, Annie (2022-03-31). "Amazon hired an influential Democratic pollster to fight Staten Island union drive". CNBC. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  8. ↑ Barnes, Steve (March 25, 2021). "On the Move: Global Strategy Group Hires Lee for Storytelling". O'Dwyer's. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Locations". Global Strategy Group. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  10. ↑ "Global Top 250 PR Agency Rankings 2021". PRovoke Media. 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  11. 1 2 Marszalek, Diana (April 4, 2022). "SEC Newgate Buys "Significant Stake" in GSG". PRovoke Media. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  12. ↑ Fandos, Nicholas (January 20, 2022). "Hochul Amassed a Campaign Fortune. Here's Who it Came From". New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  13. ↑ Paybarah, Azi (May 25, 2011). "Behind Hochul's Victory, A Team of Operatives". Observer. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Ex-Buttigieg strategist, PR execs helped Gov. Cuomo fight sex-harass accusations". New York Post. 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  15. ↑ Glueck, Katie (2021-03-06). "A Governor in Isolation: How Andrew Cuomo Lost His Grip on New York". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  16. ↑ Breuninger, Kevin; Mangan, Dan (August 3, 2021). "Cuomo violated federal, state laws as he sexually harassed multiple women, NY attorney general says". CNBC. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  17. 1 2 "Pollock Named Pollster Of The Year". The New York Observer. April 2, 2012.
  18. ↑ "The 2021 Political Consultants Power 75". City & State New York. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  19. ↑ "The 2023 Political Consultants Power 100". City & State New York. October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  20. ↑ Tomaswick, Lea; Tristant, Randy (2022). "Power Players in the 2022 Elections". Politics NY. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  21. ↑ Smith, Jesse J. (October 9, 2018). "Delgado claims pro-Ryan PAC targeted him with poll". Hudson Valley One. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  22. ↑ Murphy, Jarrett (2013-05-13). "The Numbers: Campaign Consultants Who Double As Lobbyists". City Limits. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  23. ↑ Khurshid, Samar. "Consultants, Advisors and Staff: Who's Running the Democratic Mayoral Campaigns". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  24. ↑ Lovett, Kenneth. "LOVETT: Potential leftist surge in New York could be tough for polls to pick up – NY Daily News". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2018-07-04.
  25. ↑ "POLITICO Playbook: Understanding what Joe Crowley's drubbing means for D.C." POLITICO. Retrieved 2018-07-04.
  26. ↑ Mosk, Matthew (October 5, 2007). "Edwards Points to a Link". Washington Post.
  27. ↑ Wheatley, Jonathan (2017-05-15). Georgia from National Awakening to Rose Revolution: Delayed Transition in the Former Soviet Union. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-351-93388-9.
  28. ↑ "Culver touts new poll showing closer race".
  29. ↑ Fang, Lee (2016-05-03). "Prominent Democratic Consultants Sign Up to Defeat Single Payer in Colorado". The Intercept. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  30. ↑ Lardieri, Alexa (February 25, 2020). "Poll: Sanders Would Drag Down Vulnerable Democrats". U.S. News & World Report.
  31. ↑ Nilsen, Ella (2021-01-06). "Jon Ossoff beats Sen. David Perdue, handing Democrats control of the Senate". Vox. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  32. ↑ Wooten, Nick (May 1, 2019). "Former Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson formally announces 2020 U.S. Senate bid". Ledger-Enquirer.
  33. ↑ Nicholas, Vanessa Fuhrmans and Peter (2017-06-18). "CEOs Have Access to Trump, but Do They Have Clout?". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  34. ↑ Palmer, Annie (2022-03-31). "Amazon hired an influential Democratic pollster to fight Staten Island union drive". CNBC. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  35. ↑ Adler-Bell, Sam (2022-04-08). "Do Democrats Really Want Amazon's Workers to Win?". Intelligencer. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  36. ↑ "How to Unionize at Amazon". The New Yorker. 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  37. ↑ Guerguerian, Amba (April 5, 2022). "Prominent Democratic Party Consulting Firm Flouted Federal Transparency Law While Working on Amazon Union Avoidance Campaign". The Indypendent. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  38. ↑ "'We are deeply sorry': Democratic firm drops Amazon after helping its anti-union campaign". The Daily Dot. 2022-04-13. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  39. ↑ Palmer, Annie (2022-04-14). "Biden pollster GSG is 'deeply sorry' for Amazon anti-union work as labor groups abandon it". CNBC. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
  40. ↑ "Edwards Slams Top Clinton Strategist's Ties to Blackwater". ABC News. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  41. ↑ "Opinion | From Pay-to-Play to Jail". The New York Times. 2011-04-16. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  42. ↑ Smith, Ben. "N.Y. charges spotlight 'honey pot'". POLITICO. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  43. ↑ Smith, Ben. "Statements in the pension scandal". POLITICO. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
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