December 27, 2013

Dear Sir,

Re: Marston Webb International

I have read the report in your paper which purports to describe events surrounding the temporary appointment of my firm to provide international PR and Investor Relations to the Corporation of Hamilton.

I gather that perhaps two of the City councillors felt they hadn’t been given sufficient information on which to judge the agency’s qualifications, and were especially aggrieved to feel that our services had been forced upon them. I find that hard to believe, but had that indeed been the case it would have been the first time in 31 years that our qualifications have been questioned and/or “foisted“ on anyone.

Since our inception in 1981 we have conducted inward investment campaigns for numerous countries including: Australia; South Africa; Germany; Denmark; Austria; Portugal; China; Taiwan; Puerto Rico; Bahamas; Turks & Caicos; Mexico; Venezuela; Peru; Equator.

We have also advised several cities throughout the world including: Beijing; Taipei; Copenhagen; Vienna; Helsinki; Madrid; Prague; New York and Toronto.

Along the way the agency has won several awards, including one for the best Foreign Economic Development Campaign in the US, won for our work with Australia.

Together with our client The World Gold Council we introduced Nelson Mandela to New York’s Mayor and Wall Street on his first visit to the United States. It was a seminal event which helped change the fortunes of Mandela and the new South Africa.

The agency’s involvement with Bermuda is a matter of public record. We have provided both domestic, and international, media and investor relations to the Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Business Development & Tourism, and then the Ministry of Economic Development from 2009 to March 2013.

At no time was our appointment considered controversial, nor did anyone question why the ministries have their agency in New York, or for that matter why Business Bermuda, and The Department of Tourism, have New York agencies.

Curious, then, that our New York address should be “controversial” only while working with the Corporation of Hamilton.

Over the years I have been friends, or had business associations, with many of the agency’s clients. I have even been a board director of some of the companies we have represented. As a consultant it is difficult, at best, to work with a client with whom one is not friendly.

I have, however, never supposed that my friendship or a business association alone would win, or keep, an account for the agency. That has always rested on our experience, which is considerable, and our proven ability to reach into key markets throughout the United States, and around the world.

In this instance our agency, with its already considerable experience of Bermuda’s external communications, was able to contribute immediately to the city’s efforts in reaching out to international media, and investors.

I value my friendship with the Corporation Councillors, and with the Mayor, and Secretary. Anyone who has worked with them closely, as we have, know them to be honourable men who are doing the best they can for the City, and for Bermuda.

I have been happy to lend them my support for these past few months, even for a ridiculously small fee.

Yours,

Victor Webb

President

Marston Webb International

New York