Hausmann Group shuts down conflict clients operation Open Haus
Sydney-based public relations firm Hausmann Group has closed its Open Haus agency and merged the operation into its core Hausmann Communications business after the structure failed to drive “new opportunities”.
Brangwin: “Greater flexibility”
The move comes five years after Open Haus became a division of Hausmann Communications and two years after becoming a standalone entity.
It was established in 2009 to woo clients who may have conflicted with those represented by Hausmann.
But Hausmann Group managing director Katrina Brangwin said existing clients of Hausmann Communications remained “uncomfortable” at the prospect of Open Haus taking on the PR even for indirect competitors.
“Hausmann was so deeply entrenched with clients and our remit so broad that Open Haus taking on new competing businesses, even if it was representing brands in different categories, was not acceptable,” she told Mumbrella.
“Open Haus had a separate team and a separate general manager to give clients confidence. But we were still in the same building, were both part of the Hausmann Group and had the same management structure. Because of that clients just weren’t comfortable with any conflict.”
Brangwin claimed Open Haus was forced to reject new business because existing Hausmann clients were unhappy, even if the new client wanted representation in an entirely different sector.
It had to turn down a large FMCG brand for that reason, she said.
“In reality, the structure we had just wasn’t driving new opportunities,” Brangwin admitted.
She said Australia is more sensitive than the UK where companies appear more relaxed about their PR firm handling the affairs of competing firms.
“Maybe because the market is smaller in Australia that people are more concerned about a conflict,” Brangwin suggested.
Hausmann Group said that all staff and clients will be folded into Hausmann Communications which will be jointly managed by general managers Linda Reid and Jon Manning.
Hausmann Group owner and chief executuve Judi Hausmann said the move “just made sense”.
“Hausmann and Open Haus largely operate in the same consumer brand space. While both businesses have their respective areas of expertise, they are an even more compelling proposition when combined,” she said. “Working under the one company allows us to draw on the strengths of each more seamlessly.”
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