Engaged a PR co. Never started work; want out...
Discussion
I engaged a PR co. to do six weeks PR on a project.
We exchanged a few emails and talked on the phone - and whilst no money exchanged hands and no contract was signed; the assumption from both sides was that we'd be going ahead.
We had a mailout to our subscriber base go out with the PR co. details in - but other than that; there's been no other relation - or mention of them working with us.
Anyway, fast forward; the guy who runs this PR co. says he's away in Brighton and will be doing 'bits and bobs' on the project; we had rushed to get all of our assets over to him; such as images, logos, etc... to find he was away; we had assumed he'd have staff to be getting on with 'stuff' - but we started to get the impression he was a one man band... anyway; we send an email enquiring where things are at - to be told he's now away on a break in Wales but will be working on and off on the project... I then sent an email, plainly asking - if you are away so much and only able to do dribs and drabs; then can we expect a strong campaign, as it seems to not be rolling out in any way... we waited for a response and almost two weekdays later, he simply replies saying he's back in London next week and will be really getting on with it...
At this point I say, no need; we have engaged another firms services (we have) - and perhaps we will cross paths in future but for now; this project is no more.
He has gotten shirty and said his staff have been working on my project (b
ks; he has no staff that we know of) - and that - as a mailout was done with his email in there, as a contact, then he sees that, as he's secured the job. By the way; the mailout failed due to mailchimp screening and only reached a small handful of people; so he has had no enquires or work to do as a result of the mailout.
I tried calling him yesterday to talk it through but he blanked the call. And I get an email saying his legal team will now be looking into this. 'Legal team' will be him drafting an email methinks.
Now, I have come across hundreds of these types and I could care less for his posturing. But I did call to genuinely have a chat and simply explain that it was his lack of professionalism that has brought this about; we are sure he hasn't started any work - as his emails more or less state that; and so what are his expectations...
Any thoughts on a solution here???
We exchanged a few emails and talked on the phone - and whilst no money exchanged hands and no contract was signed; the assumption from both sides was that we'd be going ahead.
We had a mailout to our subscriber base go out with the PR co. details in - but other than that; there's been no other relation - or mention of them working with us.
Anyway, fast forward; the guy who runs this PR co. says he's away in Brighton and will be doing 'bits and bobs' on the project; we had rushed to get all of our assets over to him; such as images, logos, etc... to find he was away; we had assumed he'd have staff to be getting on with 'stuff' - but we started to get the impression he was a one man band... anyway; we send an email enquiring where things are at - to be told he's now away on a break in Wales but will be working on and off on the project... I then sent an email, plainly asking - if you are away so much and only able to do dribs and drabs; then can we expect a strong campaign, as it seems to not be rolling out in any way... we waited for a response and almost two weekdays later, he simply replies saying he's back in London next week and will be really getting on with it...
At this point I say, no need; we have engaged another firms services (we have) - and perhaps we will cross paths in future but for now; this project is no more.
He has gotten shirty and said his staff have been working on my project (b
ks; he has no staff that we know of) - and that - as a mailout was done with his email in there, as a contact, then he sees that, as he's secured the job. By the way; the mailout failed due to mailchimp screening and only reached a small handful of people; so he has had no enquires or work to do as a result of the mailout.I tried calling him yesterday to talk it through but he blanked the call. And I get an email saying his legal team will now be looking into this. 'Legal team' will be him drafting an email methinks.
Now, I have come across hundreds of these types and I could care less for his posturing. But I did call to genuinely have a chat and simply explain that it was his lack of professionalism that has brought this about; we are sure he hasn't started any work - as his emails more or less state that; and so what are his expectations...
Any thoughts on a solution here???
If I was in your situation I would send him one more email telling him to contact you (you shouldn't be doing all the chasing) so that you can talk towards an amicable way to close this relationship.
After that I wouldn't think any more of it and start looking at other PR firms. Before you give the next firm the go ahead, make sure you get deliverables and deadlines.
After that I wouldn't think any more of it and start looking at other PR firms. Before you give the next firm the go ahead, make sure you get deliverables and deadlines.
Part of me wants to call him and simply say 'you're having a laugh pal; you've done nothing on this...' The one thing he's clinging to is that a mailout was done which included him as a contact... that mailout never sent to our base - and I made clear that he'll not get any response anyway; as the mailout failed: so there's nothing he'll have to deal with. I even said that if he does get an email; he can ignore it - that's how sure I am that he won't...
I think he is gutted to have lost the job; as it would have raised his profile - to have taken it on; but as soon as we caught a sniff of it being a one man band, away all the time and unable to actually get his teeth sunk into the project; we wanted out.
I may well do as you say; and simply say; 'call me'.
I think he is gutted to have lost the job; as it would have raised his profile - to have taken it on; but as soon as we caught a sniff of it being a one man band, away all the time and unable to actually get his teeth sunk into the project; we wanted out.
I may well do as you say; and simply say; 'call me'.
LDN said:
I engaged a PR co. to do six weeks PR on a project. We exchanged a few emails and talked on the phone
...but we started to get the impression he was a one man band...
If that's a problem for you, then isn't that something you should be figuring out BEFORE giving them the business...?...but we started to get the impression he was a one man band...
Eric Mc said:
Seems not:LDN said:
We exchanged a few emails and talked on the phone - and whilst no money exchanged hands and no contract was signed...
Audicab said:
We signed up a new client in August 2016 at a fixed rate of £2k per month for a 6 month contract. We got this as a signed contract.
OP - if there's no contract or agreement in writing I'd suggest he can sing for it.NB: Nothing wrong wih one-man bands, I was one for many years. You just need to be competent.
Yes I don't mind a one man band at all; but the issue is... having not done any work at all on the project; he suddenly has staff that were working on the project... out of the blue.
I did as was suggested here and simply asked him to call me - and it seems we've agreed to part ways on good terms. Thank goodness.
I did as was suggested here and simply asked him to call me - and it seems we've agreed to part ways on good terms. Thank goodness.
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