Edelman duo apologise to former agency Hill & Knowlton for ‘soliciting’ clients and staff
PR agency Hill & Knowlton has released copies of letters of apology it has obtained from former CEO Michelle Hutton and former director of consumer practice Anna MacIntosh to settle its legal case against them and new employer Edelman.
(Michelle Hutton's signature obscured by Mumbrella for security reasons)
The release of the letters came after Hutton yesterday said in a statement that the matter had been resolved without disclosing the nature of the settlement. She told Mumbrella today: “I signed the letter, but I didn’t write it.”
The legal battle became public four months ago. Hill & Knowlton, owned by WPP, had alleged that the pair breached their contracts in dealing with former clients and colleagues.
In yesterday’s statement from Hutton she said: “A range of allegations were made against each of us, and we have jointly defended our conduct and position in relation to these matters very strongly. We look forward to putting the proceedings behind us and getting on with business at Edelman Australia.”
The text of MacIntosh’s letter was the same as Hutton’s.
The apology was sent to Vivian Lines, COO of Hill & Knowlton Asia Pacific. Sue Cook heads up Hill & Knowlton locally having been confirmed as MD in May.
This morning Hutton – who worked for Hill & Knowlton for 19 years – told Mumbrella: “I’m disappointed but not surprised that Hill & Knowlton has made this statement public.” As well as releasing the letter to Mumbrella, Hill & Knowlton has placed the details the agency’s global website.
Hutton added: “But now it’s time to get on with business.”
The outcome of the legal battle is similar to that between another WPP agency and former staff. Following the organisation’s purchase of George Patterson – now GPY&R – the subsequent departure of staffers Anthony Heraghty and James McGrath triggered a legal battle. The case was eventually ended in late 2009 with a confidential settlement along with an apology to WPP from the pair.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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Wow. People leave Agency A for Agency B, then try to take Agency A’s clients with them. Who would have thought such a thing could happen?
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H&K seriously! What a petty thing to do. Jealousy is a curse I hear.
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and while all this rubbish and legal action and posturing and time wasting is going on the clients are the ones missing out. that’s exactly what is wrong with the global comms holding companies that are being run by accountants and lawyers – they are focused on all the wrong things
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Not a good look for a leader in PR, Michelle. It appears that you’ve been caught out blatantly misleading the public ie Mumbrella readers. Your statement said you’ve refuted the allegations but the letter of apology acknowledges not only accepts they were true, it apologises for them. And i’d be interested to know whether sayign “i signed it but didnt write it” actually breaches the terms of the settlement…big PR fail on all accounts.
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Can understand H&K being not happy about what’s going on, but you’re giving this issue way too much oxygen. Not sure whose idea it was to put the letters on your home page, but I would recommend taking it down immediately. It adds no value and only serves as a reminder to your clients and prospects of the key personnel you’ve lost.
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sentence should read: Your statement said you’ve refuted the allegations, but the letter of apology not only acknowledges they were true, it apologises for them.
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Good on you H&K. Employers have rights, just as employees do.
I wish it did go to court – it would be great to see a judge’s perspective on this and how they’d calculate the amount of damage caused…
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Nice one ‘rob’ very well put.
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The bullies win. 140 lawyers running interference against former WPP staff. Clearly a great place to work.
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Today I learned:
“defended our conduct and position in relation to these matters very strongly” = “recognise(d) my conduct was not appropriate in the circumstances…”
… and for the bonus round:
“I signed the letter, but I didn’t write it” = “I apologize to H&K unreservedly”.
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Maybe WPP should go back to ‘Wire and Plastic Products’. H&K might have more success and better staff retention doing that.
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storm in a teacup.
Hardly the first time its happened.
Clients don’t care – they just want good PR service.
Although I have to say H&K’s release of the apology letter and posting it on their website is not a good look for them.
makes them look small and petty
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Oh dear. H&K don’t sink any lower please.
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To the contrary, clients DO care. Unethical and/or illegal behavior reflects poorly on the PR profession and on the clients who use firms like Edelman
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This just makes everyone look bad, unfortunately.
I’ve been solicited by clients after leaving a previous workplace and after stating clearly, on record “I would be glad to be of service once my 1 year ‘cool-off’ expires but can not assist them now” was hit by the previous agency.
Two civil appearances and $5,000 in legal fees it was thrown out and I was awarded $120 in costs from the court. It’s nasty stuff.
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Come on H&K. That’s just plain childish. We understand that losing Ms Hutton must have been a kick in the teeth but what you did – not classy. You need to focus on the people that enable you to spend thousands on lawsuits, your clients! Them and the poor b*ggers left working for you
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I’m a client of H&K and as a result of this mess am seriously considering dropping them from our roster. What possible good can come from parading Michelle and Anna like this?
Furthermore, If it’s such a big deal, why has H&K not directly addressed this with clients?
Elephant in the room for our next WIP or do I just casually throw it in to the conversation?
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