News From Weber Shandwick, 5WPR Vet Joins Kim Kardashian, Ketchum & APCO Worldwide
Weber Shandwick Is One of Many Defendants in $20M Lawsuit
Several defendants are named in a civil lawsuit recently filed in the New York Supreme Court by the Landau Group law firm on behalf of George Ouzounian and Jane Doe (his girlfriend) Ouzounian is also known on the internet as Maddox. The suit arises from a time when Maddox was a cohost on a podcast with Dax Herrera (known as “Dick Masterson”), who now does a podcast on his own called “The Dick Show.”
While the two ran their podcast known as “The Biggest Problem in the Universe” Maddox claims Dick made threats and harassed Maddox and his girlfriend with violent words including threats of death and rape. Weber Shandwick and one of their senior copywriters, along with six others, are named as defendants in the suit. Weber Shandwick because they own equipment used in the podcasts and the copywriter continues in a close relationship with Dick.
Kim Kardashian Hires Former 5WPR Veteran Branding Expert Tracy Nguyen Romulus
Kim Kardashian and her various businesses have seen a few changes in personnel lately. Kim let her current COO, Stephanie Shepherd, go at Kardashian West Brands and brought in Nguyen Romulus to help with several of her beauty brands including KKW Beauty, Kimoji, and Kids Supply. Nguyen Romulus has previous branding experience with many years at 5WPR, as well as previous experience at People’s Revolution as well as Sunshine Sachs.
Also leaving work with Kardashian is her personal publicist Ina Treciokas since Kim has cut back her time on the red carpet and media appearances.
Samantha Wolf Joins Ketchum
Samantha Wolf left Havas PR to join Ketchum as their SVP for corporate media strategy. Before her job at Havas, she was with KCSA Strategic Communications for about six years. In her new job with Ketchum, she’ll work out of the New York office and report to John Bradbury, director of corporate practice and global issues/crisis management. In 2015, she was named as a “Rising Star” by PR News.
NY Knicks Nabs Dan Sabreen from CBS Sports
Starting with the week after Thanksgiving, Sabreen becomes the VP of PR for the NBA team overseeing their PR efforts. He will work with the players, coaches, and management with their media work, especially non-traditional efforts on social media. Alumni relations and game-night operations will also be included in his work. He was with CBS Sports for 12 years and was in charge at Sports America for media relations.
APCO Worldwide Adds New Crisis Expert Harlan Teller
Harlan Teller brings extensive expertise in corporate and crisis communications into his new job as an executive director at APCO Worldwide. He will work out of the Chicago office offering counsel to corporate and institutional clients relating to brand reputation and bringing in new clients. Previously he’s consulted with national and international companies such as McDonald’s, Allstate, Duracell, United Airlines, and Deloitte while working at both Burson-Marsteller and Hill+Knowlton.
