Nama puts a public relations contract out to tender
THE National Asset Management Agency (Nama) has put a lucrative media communications contract out for tender.
Media communications for Nama and the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) are currently handled by the Dublin PR firm Gordon MRM.
The firm, headed by the public-relations guru Ray Gordon, has been paid hundreds of thousands of euro by the State agencies for PR services over the past number of years.
Nama is in the process of being wound down to meet a closure date in 2020, but it was given fresh responsibilities by Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe in this month’s Budget announcement.
Mr Donohoe announced that a new agency, called Home Building Finance Ireland, would be established under the auspices of Nama with a €750m fund and a mandate to boost housebuilding.
Nama has said in its request for tender document that it is seeking a PR provider that will be the first point of contact for both international and domestic media.
The appointee will be responsible for issuing press releases, as well as drafting speeches and annual reports. They will also advise on “on-going communications strategies”.
Nama, whose chief executive is Brendan McDonagh, already has three senior internal communications staff. They are Seán O’Faolain, the head of strategy and communications; Mary Lawlor, communications and public affairs manager; and Pádraig Crokery, the communications and public affairs manager.
Nama’s PR contract runs for an initial two years. The agency has the right to extend it for a further two years.
Gordon MRM’s clients also include firms such as Glenveagh Properties, which has just listed on the stock market, as well as the Irish Stock Exchange, the Society of Chartered Surveyors and IBI Corporate Finance.