Edelman strikes $6 million deal with Saudis to promote G-20 business summit

Saudi petrochemicals giant SABIC has hired public relations juggernaut Edelman for help in pulling off the global business conference tied to this year’s G-20 summit of leading rich and developing nations in Riyadh.

The contract, which runs from February until January 2021, notably calls on Edelman to help with media relations and event planning around the Business 20 (B20) dialogue forum with the international business community. The agreement is for $5.6 million, plus $1 million in estimated expenses — making it the most lucrative Middle East lobbying and public relations contract in more than a year.

Saudi Arabia has made the B20, now in its 15th year, a top priority of its turn hosting the Group of 20 as it seeks to attract private investment in its quest to diversify its economy away from oil. The gathering, held a month before the G-20, serves as the voice of the private sector for policymakers. The G-20 leaders' summit will be held Nov. 21-22.

Edelman declined to comment about the contract.