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Topic: Beware of this NYC boutique pr firm
| Author | Message |
| abra | Posted – 7/26/2007 1:10:17 PM | show profile | email poster Hi everyone, I lurk here frequently, and gain much from your postings. Thank you. I want to warn fellow publicists about a small pr firm in the west village that owes me thousands of dollars and is trying to with hold payment. Money is not the only reason to be warned. I have been advised by a lawyer to file a restraining order. I am hesitant to mention the agency and its owners by name yet. If you are looking for work or freelancing, the odds are significant that you could end up working for them. There are too many good pr firms in NYC for anyone to have to go through what I am going through now. Please advise, if you know where I can mention the agency and owner by name to directly warn others. Thanks, A. Reynolds |
| satchel | Posted – 7/26/2007 1:33:58 PM | show profile Right now I would refrain from mentioning any names. |
| abra | Posted – 7/27/2007 1:08:13 PM | show profile posting is on CL Okay, there's a posting on Craigslist now by the above mentioned agency. If you are freelance and applying to pr positions in the west/ grennwich village, be sure to get everything in writing. |
| abra | Posted – 7/27/2007 1:08:39 PM | show profile posting is on CL Okay, there's a posting on Craigslist now by the above mentioned agency. If you are freelance and applying to pr positions in the west/ greenwich village, be sure to get everything in writing. |
| hawkmail | Posted – 7/27/2007 5:01:57 PM | show profile I responded to a craigslist ad recently for a short-term project related to Fashion Week. I hope this wasn't the listing, as I Googled the agency and they seemed reputable and they've already contacted me. Please advise if you think this might be the same firm. Thanks and good luck getting the money you are owed. |
| LoDo | Posted – 7/29/2007 11:30:07 AM | show profile | email poster I've almost ben the victim of non-payment. I say almost because I belong to the National Writers Union. Most publicists don't think it's the right organization for them, but if you conduct a writing business of any kind (press releases, related collateral), then it's ideal. Anyway, they have grievance officers and provide assistance to people who are being screwed out of proper payment. A client was trying to get out of paying me my full amount; all I had to do was inform them of my membership, and my check for the full amount arrived a week later. The NWU had already begun drafting a letter to send to them. ------ Lori |
| abra | Posted – 7/30/2007 2:51:45 PM | show profile Hawkmail - The PR posting for fashion week help on craigslist is not the agency I am referring to. Phrasing to look twice at include: 'This position has great flexibility and a lot of freedom to be creative, design your own schedule' 'opportunity to be an entrepreneur and branch out on your own' 'pay can be hourly, results or project based' 'freelance / contract position'. Thanks, Lori. I will contact the National Writers Union. I will also update here with any resources and information that help. Thanks again. |
| abra | Posted – 7/30/2007 3:16:51 PM | show profile Hawkmail - The PR posting for fashion week help on craigslist is not the agency I am referring to. Phrasing to look twice at include: 'This position has great flexibility and a lot of freedom to be creative, design your own schedule' 'opportunity to be an entrepreneur and branch out on your own' 'pay can be hourly, results or project based' 'freelance / contract position'. Thanks, Lori. I will contact the National Writers Union. I will also update here with any resources and information that help. Thanks again. |
| abra | Posted – 7/31/2007 10:07:05 AM | show profile publicists in need of a laugh? Update on this situation: The owner of above mentioned PR firm is still withholding payment on over $3500 worth of commission-based national placements. He is stating that he will not pay until these placements hit the stands. Now, I freelanced for him for a year (mistake, I know) and have always been paid upon confirmation given in writing from an editor that a story will run and all necessary information to compose the story has been received. How would any publicist or firm ever make it as a business with thousands of dollars in commissions floating around. Magazine lead times are 6 months to a year. It's absurd. I know I'm in the right here. I just wonder how the owner of a PR firm could even think he could get away with this. Apparently, he has in the past. |
| Cyrus | Posted – 7/31/2007 11:26:07 AM | show profile Not trying to state the obvious or offend anyone, but this is why you should never do work before getting paid at least partially up front. And I would also add that one should never do pay-for-performance work either because if someone's idea, product or service stinks, it won't fly no matter how good one is. Also, never do work for anyone without an agreement that spells everything out in terms of how you'll be paid, the services you will provide, etc. ------ Cyrus Afzali Astoria Communications www.astoriacomm.com |
| abra | Posted – 7/31/2007 2:38:23 PM | show profile Thanks, Cyrus. I appreciate your feedback. The pay for performance was on top or regular monthly retainers, and I do have a contract that clearly states the condition for payment. The situation is frustrating because it's time consuming. I've never had to pursue action before, but it this situation keeps escalating. I'm not sure how I could have handled this situation better. I delivered national placements to a hard-to-please client on a unique pay-per-placement contract. I submitted all editor confirmations and provided all of the necessary information to editors to do their stories. I also provided that dates these stories will run. And submitted invoices on time. Lesson learned is no more pay per placements. But in obtaining what I have already earned, I joined the NWU and have a friend who is an attorney. Not sure what else I can do to expedite payment. |
| Cyrus | Posted – 7/31/2007 3:31:12 PM | show profile I'd start out by having your attorney send them a firm, threatening letter. You'd be amazed how often things go away after that. If it doesn't, take him to court -- it's especially easy if it's small claims because in many cases they won't show up and you'll get the reward automatically. ------ Cyrus Afzali Astoria Communications www.astoriacomm.com |
