By Arun Sudhaman

NEW YORK: A roster of high-profile comms agencies has been assembled to work on hip-hop star Wyclef Jean’s Haitian presidential campaign, which may yet be derailed because of the country’s residency criteria.

Euro RSCG Worldwide PR is handling PR for the bid, alongside heavyweight political comms shop New Partners, which worked on Barack Obama’s successful US presidential campaign. Cake Group, the UK firm that is also owned by Euro RSCG parent Havas, is behind the campaign’s digital activity, including the Wyclef2010.com website.

However, the work of this triumvirate of agencies could come to a halt next week, when Haiti’s electoral commission determines whether Jean, and eight other candidates, meet relevant residency requirements.

Euro’s work on the campaign comes after it was hired earlier this year to assist Jean amid claims the musician’s charity, the Yele Haiti Foundation, had mismanaged funds.

The account is being led by Euro RSCG PR North America president Marian Salzman, who said that the level of attention has already made it a campaign unlike any she has worked on. “I have 475 media requests right now,” said Salzman.