Lincoln Group

The Lincoln Group, formed in 1999, is "a D.C.-based business 'intelligence' company that handles services from 'political campaign intelligence' to commercial real estate in Iraq." [1][2][3]

Background

According to the Group's website, "Lincoln Alliance Corporation, with the assistance of a cadre of investors, formed Lincoln Group to pursue private sector opportunities in Iraq. Lincoln Group brings a unique combination of expertise in collecting and exploiting information; structuring transactions; and mitigating risks through due diligence and legal strategies." [4]

In September 2004, the major PR contract for the Multi-National Corps-Iraq was awarded to Iraqex, a "business clearinghouse company formed specifically to provide a swath of services in the war-torn country." The Washington DC-based Lincoln Alliance Corporation, a "business 'intelligence' company that handles services from 'political campaign intelligence' to commercial real estate in Iraq," set up Iraqex last year. Iraqex has four Iraq offices, including in Baghdad and Basra. Iraqex will develop video and print publications, purchase TV and radio time, and oversee public affairs and advertising for MNC-I, to ensure "that the Coalition gains widespread Iraqi acceptance of its core themes and messages." [5]

Iraqex has subsequently changed its name to Lincoln Group, after its holding company, Lincoln Alliance Corporation. Lincoln Group has a $6 million, 3-year PR contract for the U.S.-led Multi-National Corps-Iraq, for which it "develops video, audio and print products to support MNC-I initiatives." It also publishes Iraq Business Journal, a "monthly publication on contract opportunities, life in Iraq and classifieds." The publication recently interviewed Grand Ayatolla Ali Al-Sistani, who said foreign investment is acceptable, as long as the investor is not with the "occupation forces" or taking "advantage of any instability." Lincoln Group is still looking for interns.[6]

Iraqex 2004

In September 2004, "Christian Bailey, an executive at Iraqex/Lincoln, told O'Dwyer's his company [had] established four offices in Baghdad and other outposts, including an additional operation in Basra. He said Iraqex began handling PR work for private entities in sectors like manufacturing and finance within the country last year and has established close ties with 300-400 members of the Iraqi media."

"The company, which submitted a proposal of $5.5 million for the first year of the sweeping PR and advertising contract, beat five other firms. A contracting officer for the military did not disclose the competitors" to O'Dwyer's "or an email address to this website or in an e-mail to the losing bidders." [7]

Pentagon Contract 2005

A June 11, 2005, Washington Post article reported that the Pentagon had just awarded three contracts, potentially worth up to $300 million over five years, to three companies it hopes will inject more creativity into its psychological operations efforts to improve foreign public opinion about the United States, particularly the military. Lincoln Group won one of the three contracts, Science Applications International Corporation and SYColeman, Inc., a subsidiary of L-3 Communications, the other two. All three companies declined to comment for the article. [8][9]

As the Richmond (Virginia) Times-Dispatch wrote, "The use of contractors in psyops is a new wrinkle. But psychological warfare expert Herb Friedman said he is not surprised. ... With only one active-duty and two reserve psyops units remaining, Friedman said, 'The bottom line is, they don't have the manpower.'" [10]

In September 2005, the Lincoln Group was looking to hire "senior media and PR professionals to guide an advertising and PR campaign to inform the Iraqi people of 'the Coalition's goals and to gain their support," according to O'Dwyer's. The firm also was recruiting "polling and trend analysis pros to analyze media and compile statistics with the Iraq Centre for Research and Strategic Studies." The new hires are due to an "ongoing expansion (it is in the first year of a $6M, three-year PR contract)." [11]

Planting Fake News in Iraq

In November 2005, the Los Angeles Times reported that the Lincoln Group was helping the Pentagon covertly place pro-United States stories in Iraqi news outlets. "Dozens" of pieces written by U.S. military "information operations" troops were placed during 2005, according to the LA Times. "The operation is designed to mask any connection with the U.S. military," the LA Times reported. The Lincoln Group "helps translate and place the stories. The Lincoln Group's Iraqi staff, or its subcontractors, sometimes pose as freelance reporters or advertising executives when they deliver the stories to Baghdad media outlets." [12]

The LA Times piece continued, "Military officials familiar with the effort in Iraq said much of it was being directed by the 'Information Operations Task Force' in Baghdad, part of the multinational corps headquarters commanded by Army Lt. Gen. John R. Vines. ... As part of a psychological operations campaign that has intensified over the last year, the task force also had purchased an Iraqi newspaper and taken control of a radio station, and was using them to channel pro-American messages to the Iraqi public. Neither is identified as a military mouthpiece" [13]

Case studies

As of November 30, 2005, the Lincoln Group had the following two "case studies" on its website (quoted below in full):

"Lincoln Group designed and produced tens of thousands of water bottles with custom messages for the Marine Corps during a dangerous conflict. The water bottles and their messages were produced locally and distributed throughout two major metropolitan areas in support of Coalition forces. These messages, written on the labels of the water bottles, promoted friendly discourse and encouraged religious pilgrims to call a phone number imprinted on the bottle in the event they noticed insurgent or criminal activity in their area."

"Working with an Iraqi company whose ownership and employees come from west of Ramadi in the Anbar province, Lincoln Group assisted the company in developing collateral material and a messaging strategy to reach out to the local US Marines operating in their area. Working together, we were able to develop new business for Al-Wathba group, introduce the Marines to friendly neighbors, and promote good will and business between the two sides. The background and preparation for this work was considerable, as Al-Wathba had never organized and presented their capabilities to a Western client, much less the Marines. After reviewing their past projects in Iraq, finances, and business objectives, Lincoln developed a new logo, collateral materials and introductions to promote the interests of Al-Wathba. Everyone succeeded because we took the time to understand both sides interests and worked hand-in-hand with both sides to bring them to the table. After three months of work, Lincoln stepped back from the process and Al-Wathba took the lead in cementing the relationship."

Personnel

From their website (accessed September 2005): [14]

• Paige Craig - Executive Vice President, Strategic Solutions
• Christian Bailey - Executive Vice President, Capital Markets
• Tony Berkant - Vice President Finance
• Andrew Garfield - Director, Strategic Solutions
• Mark F. Gillespie - Vice President, Business Development
• Huy Kameron Hoang - Director, Lincoln Innovation Lab
• Nicholas McDowell - Director of New Media
• Suzanne McKoy - Director, Human Resources
• James Sutton - Country Manager, Iraq
• Brian Swift - Project Manager, IBC

Contact Details

North America Headquarters
Lincoln Group
1420 K Street NW
10th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: +1 (202) 595-1330 (office)
Fax: +1 (202) 595-0208
URL: http://www.lincolngroup.com/
Communications: Projects
Economic Investment: Manufacturing

SourceWatch Resources

• Defense contractors
• Federal contractors
• Outsourcing
• Fake news
• Covert propaganda

External links

Websites

• Lead21.org: "Since its inception in Fall 2001, Lead21 has been doing its part to cultivate the next generation of business leaders committed to building a dynamic future for the Republican Party."; Christian Bailey is a member of the Board of Directors.

General Information

• "Companies Currently Offering Vetting/Due Diligence Services in Iraq," Provided by the Coalition Provisional Authority and the U.S. Department of State, undated: Lincoln Alliance Corporation:

"Lincoln is working with US and overseas corporations and organizations to develop an in-country capability in Baghdad and Basra. Located both at the center of power and the commercial gateway of the country, Lincoln will act as a central clearinghouse for businesses seeking to do business in Iraq. Lincoln will provide the information, research, and contacts necessary to develop and grow business within the country. Lincoln will also provide a threat and risk assessment service through its ASP service, allowing clients to understand and mitigate the perceived security risk and dangers present in country."

Articles & Commentary

• "Iraqex Rebrands", O'Dwyers PR Daily, March 16, 2004.
• "U.S. Force Taps PR Help for Iraq," O'Dwyers PR Daily, September 30, 2004.
• "Iraqex Wants Interns", O'Dwyers PR Daily, November 18, 2004.
• Spin of the Day: "Is that Business I Hear Booming?", March 16, 2005.
• "DOD awards $300M in psyops contracts," UPI, June 7, 2005.
• James W. Crawley, "Psychological warfare effort to be outsourced. Army command hires three firms to sway Afghans and Iraqis," Richmond Times-Dispatch (Virginia), June 10, 2005.
• Renae Merle, "Pentagon Funds Diplomacy Effort. Contracts Aim to Improve Foreign Opinion of United States", "Washington Post", June 11, 2005.
• Billmon, "Blowback," Whiskey Bar, June 12, 2005.
• "Lincoln Group Wants Senior PR Help in Iraq," O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub. req'd.), September 9, 2005.
• Mark Mazzetti and Borzou Daragahi, "U.S. Military Covertly Pays to Run Stories in Iraqi Press: Troops write articles presented as news reports. Some officers object to the practice," Los Angeles Times, November 30, 2005.
• Jason Vest, "Missed Perceptions," GovExec.com, December 1, 2005.
• Jason Vest, "What's Lincoln Group?" GovExec.com, December 1, 2005.