MIAMI, June 22—The Dominican Republic has selected GrupoLink, a subsidiary of Weber Shandwick Worldwide, as its North American public relations agency of record for tourism promotion. GrupoLink will spearhead
PR campaigns throughout the United States and Canada, handling multilingual counseling, media relations, event management and trade show support. 

Other finalists for the business, which is worth in the mid-six figures, included Hill & Knowlton and Lou Hammond Associates. Previously, the account was held by Yesawich Pepperdine & Brown.
“GrupoLink’s expertise in developing clear branding strategies, coupled with the agency’s ability to reach mass consumer markets through the use of 21st century communications tools, will prove critical in highlighting the Dominican Republic’s key tourist benefits and attractions,” says Ramon Bordas, secretary of tourism. “We are impressed by GrupoLink’s understanding of the Dominican Republic and the entire Latin American region, and also by the vast recourses and capabilities the agency brings to our country in North America and throughout the world.”