### Hollywood PR Powerhouse Files Suits Over Alleged Staff Exodus and Data Theft

A major shakeup has hit Hollywood’s publicity landscape as R&CPMK, a leading PR and marketing firm, has filed lawsuits in both Los Angeles and New York against former CEO Mark Owens and 13 other ex-employees. These lawsuits accuse the individuals of downloading thousands of confidential files and orchestrating a mass departure to launch a competing firm called 2pm Sharp.

In 2019, Cindi Berger and Mark Owens merged their respective publicity firms, PMK*BNC and Rogers & Cowan, into what is now known as R&CPMK. Owens served as CEO until his termination earlier this year, effective as of March 1. The combined entity represented high-profile celebrities such as Robert Redford, Denzel Washington, and Katy Perry, along with major brands like Samsung and YouTube.

The lawsuits claim that Owens and other senior staff members began planning their exit as early as late 2023. Co-presidents of talent Lindsay Galin and Jeff Raymond were among the first to leave on October 1, triggering a wave of 11 additional departures within the next two days. According to the filings, these exits breached their duty of loyalty and confidentiality agreements with R&CPMK, potentially costing the firm substantial revenue loss.

In a particularly alarming allegation, the lawsuits state that Raymond downloaded 11,000 company files on September 20, with other employees downloading an additional 5,000 files before their resignations. Such confidential data, R&CPMK argues, could equip 2pm Sharp with a 'playbook' to poach their business. Clients reportedly began terminating their contracts with R&CPMK shortly after the departures, although the ex-employees initially refused to disclose their new affiliations.

2pm Sharp quickly became operational, securing a web domain and business registrations in California and New York. Although Owens and his new firm have not commented on the litigation, R&CPMK is seeking the return of its confidential information and compensatory, as well as punitive, damages. The firm also aims to enforce a one-year ban on its former employees soliciting R&CPMK’s clients.

This incident mirrors a similar conflict in the agency world, where CAA is currently suing Range Media Partners for allegedly soliciting clients and accessing confidential information improperly.

With high stakes and reputations on the line, the legal battle between R&CPMK and the nascent 2pm Sharp could set a precedent for employee mobility and data protection within the competitive world of Hollywood’s PR industry.