I think you're right about the services he performs, from his time at Dundee I'm sure he has lots of connections in the investment community/industry...and I assume that is probably the reason he was brought on board, not withstanding the Sino-Forest, Muddy Waters "full of crap" debacle.
Allana has had some good write ups in journals like the Globe and Mail among others, and I've thought that the mainstream exposure they've gotten has probably been thanks to Richard and his connections from his time with Dundee.
I'd much rather see a write up in the globe and mail than to get another email from goldstockbulls.