News - 2007

SOS INTERNATIONAL TO SUPPORT JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PLANNING
September 29, 2007

SOS International (SOSi) has partnered with Concepts & Strategies, Inc. (C&S), a small strategic communications company located in Washington, DC, on a contract with the Department of Defense to provide crisis planning and communications services to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Services will include the development of contingency plans in preparation for potential crisis situations and operational support and consulting during crisis situations.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff is comprised of the heads of each of the major branches of the U.S. Military. Its primary responsibility is to ensure the readiness and training of the military services.

Under the contract, SOSi will research and prepare assessments of information pertaining to strategic communications themes as well as other strategic and operational areas of interest. In partnership with C&S, SOSi will review a variety of media sources for key topics and research and gather related information from interagency sources to incorporate into internal reports, studies, and other information products. In addition, SOSi will help perform "measures of effectiveness" analyses of related Department of Defense activities and provide recommendations regarding vulnerability and accessibility.

In recent years, SOSi has become a major player in assisting the U.S. Government with the development of media and communications strategies in support of a broad range of strategic and operational objectives. In 2006, it was awarded a contract to provide foreign media analysis to the regional Department of Defense and is among the leading providers of audience assessment and analysis to U.S. Forces in the Middle East and Central Asia.

In mid- 2007, SOSi hired Mr. William V. Parker, a former State Department Senior Foreign Service-level Minister Counselor, as Senior Consultant with the intention of increasing its expertise in the strategic communications field. Mr. Parker spent the better portion of is career overseas in embassies in India, the Ivory Coast, the Philippines, U.S. NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname as well as special TDY assignments throughout the world and performed multiple tours in Washington, DC. According to Mr. Parker, "The U.S. Government has a long way to go before it truly realizes the cause and effect of perceptions around the world. It is becoming increasingly clear, however, that in order to establish greater security, we must demonstrate and communicate to the world that the United States is a force for positive change. The only way this can be done is by making sure that our messages reach the right audiences at the right times and through the right venues."

SOS International Ltd, commonly referred to as SOSi, is a privately held consulting firm that provides research, analysis and operational support services to the U.S. Government and large private companies in the Defense & Aerospace industries. The company is headquartered in New York City and employs more than 1,000 full-time personnel worldwide.

Next News Item >>