Los Angeles, California – A high-profile legal battle has unfolded in the world of Hollywood publicity after a major partnership fell apart. In 2019, Cindi Berger and Mark Owens joined forces to merge PMK*BNC and Rogers & Cowan, creating a powerhouse known as R&CPMK. However, the partnership took a turn for the worse when Owens was fired, sparking a series of lawsuits between the two parties.
Accusations have surfaced that Owens allegedly orchestrated the departure of key employees from R&CPMK to launch his own rival firm, 2pm Sharp. The lawsuits, filed in New York and Los Angeles, claim that Owens, along with other departing employees, breached their loyalty to R&CPMK by stealing clients and confidential information, potentially causing significant financial losses for the company.
The legal filings detail a timeline of events leading up to the employee exodus, painting a picture of betrayal and deception within the once-thriving partnership. R&CPMK is now faced with the challenge of rebuilding morale among its remaining employees and safeguarding its reputation as an industry leader in the competitive world of Hollywood publicity.
The lawsuits also shed light on Owens’ alleged premeditated plans to leave R&CPMK and start his own venture. The company accuses Owens of using his remaining time as CEO to poach employees for his new firm, while also colluding with current employees to divert business away from R&CPMK to 2pm Sharp.
As tensions rise between the two parties, the legal battle has escalated with multiple former employees, including Owens, being named as defendants in the lawsuits. R&CPMK is seeking the return of confidential information, damages, and a restraining order against the ex-employees to prevent them from soliciting clients for a year.
The unfolding drama serves as a cautionary tale of the risks involved in high-stakes partnerships in the entertainment industry. The battle between Berger’s R&CPMK and Owens’ 2pm Sharp highlights the cutthroat nature of Hollywood publicity, where loyalty can quickly turn into betrayal and business relationships become entangled in legal disputes. The outcome of this legal showdown will not only shape the future of the two companies but also send ripples through the Hollywood publicity landscape.