Communique lawyers demand action from Vertigo - Rumours and Conjecture

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Communique lawyers demand action from Vertigo

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Wednesday, 30 May 2007

Communique PR, has retained the London office of law firm Hammonds, to demand that Vertigo PR and its founder and ex-Communique employee Natalie Bagnall, remove web site references (aka passing off) to clients and experience related to Communique and its clients.

Bagnall

Bagnall, who launched Vertigo a couple of months ago, said “to be honest I’m really highly flattered. I’ve been doing this job for 19 years and detailing past client and work experience is industry standard – and quite legitimate. We’ve sent a letter straight back saying it’s ludicrous.”

Bagnall, who used to work at Communique, is now two years out of her covenants, restraining her from talking to Communique clients.

“I think” she added “that Communique has got its wires crossed here. I’m not a threat to the agency, other people are.”

This reference is related to rumours that at least three PR start-ups - by ex Communique employees - are apparently due to launch in the North West in the coming months.

Sarbutts

Communique MD, Nigel Sarbutts, did not wish to comment on the story beyond saying that one person’s industry standard is not necessarily the same as another’s.

In response to rumours of difficulties at the agency, he said it was rubbish and said the agency is in “rude health. We’re in a growth phase and wining good business out of our offices in Manchester and London – both UK and international work.”

The agency employs 20 staff across the two offices with 14 based in Manchester. Two new staff have recently joined. Helen Barklam, previously a senior communications manager with Sport England in London has relocated to Canal Street and another account executive has moved from Manchester Airport’s media team.

Sarbutts was keen to stress that the agency has just signed a contract with Manchester’s latest and most talked about nightspot – Ithaca, promoted by Arnie Hira and whose investors include a number of high profile footballers and regional ‘personalities’.

Sarbutts would not reveal the size of the business although it is understood the fee element alone is a substantial five figure sum. Communique had to pitch against a number of other regional agencies for the business.

Communique’s office on Canal Street in Manchester’s ‘Village’ is owned by Bagnall’s partner Paul Carroll, Communique's founder.

http://www.communiquepr.co.uk/
http://www.vertigopr.co.uk/
http://www.hammonds.com

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Comments (13)

1 By Whippet, on 30-05-2007 16:14
No way are there 14 people in Communique's Manchester office - check out their website, and you'll see they don't even have that many people in the whole company, and two of those are accountants!!!

One person's rude health is another's sickly has-been...

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2 By Jaime, on 30-05-2007 16:40
On Communique's website, they list a number of clients they no longer have, including Chicago Town Pizza. Is that not passing off too?

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3 By Jammy Git, on 31-05-2007 09:23
Would that be the same Jaime that used to work for Communique? - and the same one featured in this month's Company magazine telling the world (or a least a bunch of teenage girls) how she decided to 'leave' her last employer and set up on her own?. If it is then Communique aren't the only ones guilty of blurring the lines of the truth.....

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4 By Niggle, on 31-05-2007 10:03
Yes and who are those five major clients? And where are the shiny offices in the centre of Manchester? Maybe Jaime should refrain from commenting on issues that she's obviously far too inexperienced to understand.

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5 By Jammy Git, on 31-05-2007 10:45
Of course it may not be the same Jaime (thinking about it, you wouldn't post comment on rumours about an ex-employer and use your actual real name that's spelt in an unusual way) - and it goes without saying that there's no evidence that the Jaime profiled in Company has said anything other than the truth.

PR is all just a big rumour-mill after all.

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6 By Jaime, on 31-05-2007 10:51
Thanks for the advice, Niggle Sarbanes, or whatever your name is. When I'm looking for advice on the best sinking ships around, I'll be knocking on your door.

ps. does £10,001 really count as a 'substantial five figure fee' these days?...

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7 By HandbagsAtDawn, on 31-05-2007 10:57
I think everyone should just calm down and pay more attention to their own businesses, rather than spending so much time focusing on what other people are up to. Let's face it, you only get lawyers involved when you're a) feeling threatened, and b) have got the time and money to waste on silly little arguments.

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8 By Jammy Git, on 31-05-2007 11:25
Oh, well it seems it is the very same Jaime after all - and there was me trying to offer her an 'out' from her apparent online folly.

And talking of lawyer's there's an interesting rumour post on the darkfibre blog linked to How-Do regarding another (unnamed) NW agency also throwing it's legal weight around with regard to ex-employees. Seems it's all the rage....

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9 By east 17, on 07-06-2007 19:02
Jammy Git? Dark Fibre? Surely a load of spin goldfinger?

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10 By EA, on 09-06-2007 00:45
Can't think of anything more ludicrous for a PR boss to do than pay good money to expensive lawyers to write an ineffectual letter. Or maybe I can. Nothing surprises me. But still. People need to get out more.

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11 By east 17, on 09-06-2007 01:05
Totally agreed EA. However, I would make an exception where the spinning dark fibre is concerned.

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12 By The REAL Jaime!, on 03-07-2007 10:16
I’ve just returned from a wonderful holiday to find that half of the Manchester PR scene is preoccupied with little old me, the REAL Jaime. I never pass comment on such websites but in this instance I felt I should defend my honour. Firstly, it was not me that added my two-penneth on the Vertigo/CPR issue, I would never be so rude to publicly air my opinions – this issue is strictly their business, not mine. Yes I have worked at CPR and with Nathalie and to this end Nathalie will be aware that it was not I that commented on this issue.

Secondly, I must say that I am somewhat flattered by the fervent enthusiasm for my new business venture that some of you have displayed, I have clearly made an impression – good or bad. It’s a wonder how just by trying to earn a crust I could have offended people so much. To those with ruffled feathers, perhaps if you see me out and about you could reveal your true identities and enlighten me to what wrong I have done by you and I could buy you a pint or two to try and make it better. It truly is a shame that my activities arouse such animosity within you.

To the ‘faux Jaime’ – why? Again, flattered that you would pose as me but alas I smell a rat and a big PR one at that! Seems the ‘faux Jaime’ is clearly a master of their PR trade and has set the tongues a wagging – very creative, would you like a job?!

We are all extremely busy people and I know that I have very little time to spend on commenting on other people’s business, so now that I have set the record straight I will not respond again – I don’t have the time or the energy to do so! I have said my peace and wish you all every success in your careers.

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13 By the spelling police, on 05-07-2007 15:37
Jaime, real or otherwise, thanks for giving us all a 'peace' of your mind on this matter and good luck running your own PR firm.

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