Qatar

Sitrick And Company has agreed to serve as public communications advisor and consultant to the Embassy of Qatar.

The crisis outfit is acting as subcontractor to law firm Pillsbury Winthop Shaw Pittman, which signed on in March to handle legal matters and assist the Arab state on communications and PA matters.

Pillsbury bills Qatar at its hourly rate of $675-$955 (partner), $615-$675 (counsel) and $500-$615 (associate) rates.

S&C has not yet filed a formal engagement letter with the Justice Dept.

CEO Michael Sitrick and Los Angeles Times alum Sallie Hofmeister handle the Qatar work.

Qatar has been under an economic and political blockade by a coalition that includes Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Egypt for more than a year. They allege that Qatar supports terrorism and object to its close ties with Iran.

S&C joins Ogilvy Government Relations, Ashcroft Group, Avenue Strategies Global, SGR and Ballard Partners on Qatar’s communications team.