PR Legal and Contracts templates and frameworks Templates

This Services Agreement ('Agreement') is entered into between [CLIENT NAME] ('Client') and [YOUR PR AGENCY NAME] ('Agency'), effective [START DATE].

1. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The Agency will provide music PR services including: [media relations / playlist pitching / crisis management / tour promotion / award campaign management / social media strategy]. The Client agrees that the Agency's role is strategic consultation and outreach; final decisions on campaign direction rest with the Client.

2. FEES AND PAYMENT
Monthly retainer: £[AMOUNT]. Project fees: £[AMOUNT PER DELIVERABLE]. Invoices are due within 14 days. Late payments incur interest at 8% per annum. All fees exclude out-of-pocket expenses (travel, third-party services, photography licensing), which are invoiced separately with 10% administration fee.

3. TERM AND TERMINATION
This Agreement runs for [3/6/12] months. Either party may terminate with 30 days' written notice. Upon termination, the Agency shall return or delete all confidential Client materials within 7 days.

4. CONFIDENTIALITY
Both parties agree not to disclose campaign strategy, artist information, or unreleased music to third parties without written consent, except as required by law.

5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Neither party is liable for indirect, consequential, or lost profits damages. The Agency's liability is capped at fees paid in the preceding three months.

Adapt the scope of services section to match your actual deliverables—be specific about what you will and won't do. Add a section on communication frequency (weekly calls, monthly reports) if relevant. Adjust payment terms based on your cash flow needs, but 14-30 days is standard in the industry.

MUTUAL NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT

This Agreement between [PARTY A NAME] and [PARTY B NAME], effective [DATE], protects confidential information disclosed by either party.

1. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Confidential Information includes unreleased music, campaign budgets, artist roster details, marketing strategies, financial information, and any other information marked 'confidential' or reasonably understood to be proprietary.

2. PERMITTED USE
Confidential Information may only be used to evaluate or perform the business opportunity discussed. Recipients may disclose to employees and advisors on a need-to-know basis, provided they are bound by equivalent confidentiality obligations.

3. EXCEPTIONS
Confidential Information does not include: (a) information already publicly available through no breach by the recipient; (b) information rightfully received from a third party without confidentiality restrictions; (c) information independently developed without reference to Confidential Information; (d) information required to be disclosed by law or regulatory authority, provided the disclosing party receives 5 days' notice to seek protective orders.

4. DURATION
This Agreement remains in effect for [2/3/5] years from the date of disclosure, or [5/7] years for unreleased music or artist strategy.

5. RETURN OF MATERIALS
Upon request or termination of the business relationship, all physical and digital Confidential Information shall be returned or destroyed within 10 business days.

Labels often request their own NDA—review it carefully before signing. If they refuse a mutual version, ensure the exceptions clause covers your need to discuss strategy with your team. Adjust the duration based on sensitivity; unreleased material typically warrants longer protection. Document what you actually receive marked 'confidential' in writing.

CAMPAIGN FEE SCHEDULE

Client: [ARTIST / LABEL NAME]
Campaign: [ALBUM RELEASE / TOUR LAUNCH / AWARD CAMPAIGN]
Project Period: [START DATE] to [END DATE]

1. DELIVERABLES AND FEES
- Press release distribution (UK and [other territories]): £[AMOUNT]
- Targeted media outreach to [NUMBER] outlets: £[AMOUNT]
- Playlist pitching to DSPs ([list specific platforms]): £[AMOUNT]
- Social media amplification ([NUMBER] posts over [PERIOD]): £[AMOUNT]
- Crisis response protocol (retainer, only charged if invoked): £[AMOUNT]

Total Campaign Fee: £[TOTAL]

2. PAYMENT SCHEDULE
- 50% upfront upon agreement signature
- 25% upon campaign launch
- 25% upon completion and final reporting (within 30 days of campaign end date)

3. OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES
External costs (photography, video production, third-party PR services, international wire services) are billed at cost plus 10% administration fee. Expenses over £[THRESHOLD] require written approval before incurring.

4. SUCCESS METRICS
Deliverables are completed as outlined. Media coverage is not guaranteed, but the Agency commits to targeted outreach and reporting on achieved placements. Campaign effectiveness will be measured against agreed KPIs outlined in the campaign brief.

5. ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Any work beyond the defined scope is charged at £[HOURLY RATE] and requires written amendment to this schedule.

Be explicit about what you will deliver versus what you cannot control (e.g., media coverage, playlist adds). Establish clear payment milestones to protect cash flow. If working with multiple territories, break costs by region. Include a contingency rate for scope creep—most campaigns expand once they launch.

INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN SERVICES AGREEMENT

Parties: [YOUR AGENCY], [CLIENT NAME] ("Agreement")
Date: [EFFECTIVE DATE]

1. SERVICES AND TERRITORIES
The Agency will provide PR services in the following territories: [list UK / EU / USA / Asia-Pacific / specific countries]. Each territory may involve different media landscapes, regulatory requirements, and local partners. The Client acknowledges that media reach and success metrics vary significantly by region.

2. FEES AND CURRENCY
Fees are quoted in GBP. If the Client is based outside the UK, payment must be made in GBP unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Client is responsible for foreign exchange costs and any international wire transfer fees.

3. TAX RESPONSIBILITY
For clients outside the UK: the Agency is not responsible for withholding taxes or VAT on behalf of the Client's government. The Client should consult their accountant regarding reporting obligations in their jurisdiction.

4. LOCAL PARTNER COORDINATION
The Agency may engage local PR partners, media monitoring services, or distribution networks in non-UK territories. These partners are third parties; the Agency is not liable for their performance but will oversee coordination.

5. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
This Agreement is governed by English law. Any dispute shall be resolved through [mediation / arbitration through the [relevant body]] before litigation. Both parties agree to attempt good-faith resolution for 30 days before escalating.

6. TERM AND JURISDICTION
The Agreement is effective for [DURATION]. Each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of English courts for any legal proceedings.

If you're working with US-based clients, clarify whether they expect US law to apply—this can create complexity. International campaigns often require local partners; document their scope and liabilities separately. Currency fluctuations can affect profitability; consider building in currency adjustment clauses for campaigns longer than 6 months.

PAYMENT TERMS AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROTOCOL

1. INVOICING
Invoices are issued [weekly / monthly] and are due within [14 / 30] days of receipt. Invoices should be dated, itemised, and reference the relevant Services Agreement.

2. LATE PAYMENT CONSEQUENCES
Payments not received by the due date will be flagged in writing. If payment is not received within 7 days of the due date, the Agency may: (a) suspend services until payment is made; (b) charge interest at 8% per annum on the overdue amount under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998; (c) add a £[50-100] administration fee for each late payment.

3. PAYMENT DISPUTES
If the Client disputes an invoice, they must notify the Agency in writing within 5 business days, specifying the disputed amount and reason. The Agency will investigate and respond within 10 business days. If unresolved, both parties agree to discuss by phone within 5 days.

4. RETAINER CLIENTS
Monthly retainers are due on the [day of month]. If a retainer is not paid by the 5th of the following month, the Agency will pause campaign activities until payment is received. Retainer credits do not carry forward to the following month.

5. PREVENTION OF DISPUTE
The Agency will provide [weekly / monthly] reports showing hours spent, deliverables completed, and costs incurred. The Client may request clarification of any invoice within 48 hours of receipt.

6. COLLECTIONS AND LEGAL ACTION
If payment remains outstanding 60 days after the due date, the Agency may pursue legal action, and the Client will be responsible for the Agency's legal fees and court costs.

The Late Payment Act protects you, but invoking it damages relationships—use this clause as a deterrent, not a first resort. Weekly or monthly invoicing is less disruptive than end-of-project invoicing. Consider requiring upfront payment or deposits for new clients with no payment history.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND CAMPAIGN ASSET OWNERSHIP

1. CAMPAIGN MATERIALS OWNERSHIP
All press releases, media pitches, social media content, and campaign graphics created by the Agency specifically for the Client are owned by the Client upon full payment of fees. The Agency retains the right to reference these campaigns in case studies, portfolio examples, and award submissions (with the Client's prior approval, not to be unreasonably withheld).

2. AGENCY METHODOLOGIES AND TOOLS
The Agency retains ownership of its proprietary media contact lists, pitch templates, analytics tools, crisis management frameworks, and any methodology developed independently or used across multiple clients. The Client may not use, reproduce, or sell these methodologies after the engagement ends.

3. THIRD-PARTY MATERIALS
Any third-party tools, assets, or services (e.g., stock photography, SaaS platforms, monitoring services) remain subject to their original licences. The Client is responsible for ensuring their own use complies with those third-party terms.

4. ARTIST LIKENESS AND MUSIC
The Client grants the Agency a limited licence to use the artist's name, image, and released music solely for the purpose of executing the campaign services (e.g., media pitches, social media posts, press events). This licence expires when the engagement ends.

5. FEEDBACK AND REVISIONS
The Client owns feedback and strategic direction they provide. However, the Agency may not share specific Client feedback or unreleased campaign strategies with other clients or competitors for [2 / 5] years after engagement ends.

6. POST-ENGAGEMENT ASSET ACCESS
Upon termination, the Client will have [30 / 90] days to request copies of all campaign materials, contact records, and reports. The Agency will provide these in accessible formats. After this period, the Agency may delete or archive materials.

This is crucial for protecting your competitive advantage, especially regarding media contact lists and pitch strategies. Many clients will push back on this—be ready to negotiate what counts as 'proprietary methodology' versus what they should own. Document which assets are yours and which are theirs at the start of engagement.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND REPUTATION RESPONSE PROTOCOL

1. DEFINITION OF CRISIS
A crisis requiring immediate response is defined as: (a) negative media coverage with potential to impact chart performance, touring, or sponsorships; (b) social media escalation affecting artist reputation; (c) legal threat or cease-and-desist communication; (d) artist involvement in incident attracting mainstream media attention; (e) label or management request for urgent reputation management.

2. RESPONSE PROTOCOL
Upon notification of a potential crisis: (a) the Agency will assess severity within 2 hours; (b) the Agency will draft a preliminary response strategy and present to the Client within 4 hours; (c) the Client has the final decision authority on all public statements; (d) the Agency will execute agreed response across media, social, and stakeholder channels.

3. IMMEDIATE RESPONSE AUTHORITY
If the Client cannot be reached within the 4-hour window and the situation is escalating in real time, the Agency may issue a holding statement in the artist's or label's voice (e.g., "We are aware of [situation] and will comment shortly") to prevent further narrative damage. The Client must approve this statement within 24 hours or the Agency will retract it.

4. FEES AND COSTS
Crisis response is included in retainer fees for [FIRST 10 HOURS]. Beyond 10 hours, crisis work is billed at £[HOURLY RATE] and invoiced separately. Out-of-pocket crisis costs (external legal advice, media monitoring escalation, agency network consultations) are approved by the Client before incurring and billed at cost plus 15%.

5. DOCUMENTATION AND LEARNING
Following any crisis response, the Agency will conduct a post-mortem review within 5 business days and provide written recommendations to prevent recurrence.

6. INSURANCE AND LIABILITY
The Client should maintain appropriate legal and reputation insurance. The Agency is not liable for outcomes of media response or reputational impact; liability is limited to failure to follow the Client's explicit instructions.

Crisis clauses often go unsigned or ignored until a crisis actually happens. Get this agreed upfront so there's no confusion during an actual emergency. Be clear about what costs fall within your retainer and what triggers additional fees—this is where relationships break down.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES AGREEMENT

This agreement applies to all [STAFF / FREELANCERS / CONTRACTORS] engaged by [YOUR AGENCY].

1. CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS
All information relating to clients, artists, unreleased music, campaign strategies, media relationships, fees, and business operations is strictly confidential. This includes information shared verbally, by email, in meetings, or via shared drives. Confidentiality continues indefinitely after employment or engagement ends.

2. RESTRICTIONS ON USE
Confidential information may only be used to perform your assigned duties for [AGENCY NAME]. You may not: (a) discuss clients or campaigns with friends, family, or other professionals outside [AGENCY]; (b) use client contact information or media relationships for personal gain; (c) copy or retain client contact lists, templates, or strategies after employment ends; (d) post about clients or campaigns on social media without explicit written permission.

3. NON-COMPETE PERIOD
For [12 / 24] months after employment or engagement ends, you agree not to: (a) work directly with artists you represented while employed by [AGENCY], without [AGENCY]'s written consent; (b) poach [AGENCY] clients for a competing PR firm; (c) solicit [AGENCY] staff to join a competing firm. This applies to clients you directly serviced or had knowledge of through your role.

4. CLIENT RELATIONSHIP OWNERSHIP
All client relationships, media contacts developed while employed by [AGENCY], and strategies created during your tenure belong to [AGENCY]. You have no claim to these relationships if you leave.

5. DIGITAL SECURITY
You are responsible for securing all client data, passwords, and confidential files. Failure to follow [AGENCY]'s data protection protocols may result in disciplinary action or termination.

6. CONSEQUENCES OF BREACH
Breach of this agreement may result in: (a) immediate termination; (b) civil action for damages; (c) injunctive relief. [AGENCY] may pursue recovery of costs associated with breach, including legal fees.

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
By signing below, you acknowledge that you have read this agreement, understand your obligations, and agree to comply.

Non-competes must be 'reasonable' to be enforceable in UK law—avoid overly broad restrictions. 12-24 months is standard for agency work. Make sure staff and freelancers sign this before they have access to sensitive information. Clarify what counts as a 'client you directly serviced'—this prevents grey areas after someone leaves.