Rangers chief Derek Llambias rehires his old PR firm. who cost Ibrox club £8000 A Wk

[pete 2,499]

Rangers chief Derek Llambias rehires his old PR firm.. who cost Ibrox club £8000 A WEEK

 

23:34, 18 February 2015

By Keith Jackson

 

MEDIA experts Keith Bishop Associates had an Ibrox contract worth £8000-a-week ripped up around 12 months ago - at a time when Llambias owned 51 per cent of the company.

SNS GROUP

Rangers chief executive Derek Llambias

 

RANGERS chief Derek Llambias appears to have rehired his old PR firm – a year after they were given the boot.

 

Media experts Keith Bishop Associates had an Ibrox contract worth £8000 a week ripped up around 12 months ago – at a time when Llambias owned 51 per cent of the company.

 

Now a London-based PR guru who boasts of his close links with KBA is fielding inquiries made to the club’s official press office.

 

Former News of the World executive Gary Thompson said yesterday he is “helping the club out” while head of PR Carol Patton is on holiday.

 

In his professional profile, Thompson – who runs his own media firm – states proudly: “I also work closely with Keith Bishop Associates, whose clients include Newcastle United.”

 

Llambias is still registered as majority shareholder in KBA on official documents at Companies House – and held a seat on the board as recently as five months ago.

 

But he insisted in a meeting with Rangers fans last week that he sold his shares in KBA to Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct at some point in 2014.

 

In the minutes of his recent meeting with the Rangers Fans Board, Llambias is quoted as saying: “People know that I was involved in this company. Lots of work was done by Bishops in the Green era. They are still involved in dealing with Sky on a game-by-game basis. I sold my shares to Sports Direct Media early in 2014.”

 

In December 2012, at the time of Charles Green’s shares issue, it emerged that KPA were raking in huge sums from Ibrox coffers even though they had their own head of communications.

 

The contract was ended early last year by Phil Nash, who was hired as financial director and told to slash unnecessary costs.

 

Nash resigned from his Ibrox post when Ashley had a controversial emergency loan approved by chairman David Somers and his board – soon after Llambias was brought in as chief executive.

 

Now his old PR firm appear to be back on the scene in the shape of Thompson.

 

On Monday night, a man with a London accent who gave his name only as Gary was answering calls made to the club’s official “duty” PR phone.

 

But yesterday the Record called his bluff, asking him directly if he was Gary Thompson.

 

Having confirmed that he was, we asked if KBA had been officially engaged to do Rangers’ PR. He replied: “I’m independent. I obviously know them and I’m just helping out.

 

“I’m just helping out because Carol is on holiday. So if you’ve got an official inquiry, send it into the press office at Rangers. All I’m doing is helping while Carol is off by taking messages.”

 

Daily Record: “And you’re working in your capacity as an employee of Keith Bishop Associates? Or as an associate of Keith Bishop Associates?”

 

Gary Thompson: “I’m not going to comment on any relationship. So if you’ve got a question about that, put it in writing and the club can come back to you.”

 

DR: OK, that’s what I’ll do. What email address should I use because I do want to ask the Rangers board if they have re-engaged with Keith Bishop Associates?”

 

After more conversation, we told Thompson: “I’m sure you understand that we need to try to clarify this. It’s fine. I’ll jot down a couple of questions and fire them off.

 

GT: “I’ve just told you what I’m doing but I’m not willing to give you any comment at all on Keith Bishop or the club because you’ve got to put that to the club.”

 

The following email was then sent: “As per our phone conversation I would like to formally request clarification on the current status of the club’s relationship with Keith Bishop Associates.

 

“As calls to the duty phone number of the club’s head of PR are being diverted to you – and I’m assuming you are not helping out free of charge – it does indeed appear as if the services of KBA have been re-engaged by the club. Can the board or Mr Llambias please comment on this?

 

“Obviously, I should also ask at this point if Mr Llambias still owns a 51 per cent holding in KBA? Records from as recently as three weeks ago indicate that he does.”

 

Late last night, no response had been received.

[Laudbertz 0]

Last ditch attempts to fill their pockets before the EGM. Im sure it wont be the last either. Said it before and ill say it again... this EGM date is becoming agonisingly slow.

[buster. 4,882]

Gary Thompson / KBA will need to hire a PR/Spin Firm for themselves.

 

Barely in the door and they are the story...........

 

 

The RIFC board............form Bean to Cup they keep Fecking up.

[jhunter 0]

Llambias is still registered as majority shareholder in KBA on official documents at Companies House – and held a seat on the board as recently as five months ago.

 

But he insisted in a meeting with Rangers fans last week that he sold his shares in KBA to Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct at some point in 2014.

 

it just goes on and on and on.

[Bluedell 5,378]

So is Toxic being given the boot?

[Thinker 887]

So is Toxic being given the boot?

 

McMurdo's latest blog is fairly critical of Ashley, so maybe that's another indicator that they've ditched the PR set-up they've been using.

 

IMHO it would actually be a pity if they have, because I'm convinced that the blatant, cynical spin that's come from Toxic's minions has done more to stoke resentment of the regime than raise support for them. The majority of fans can see straight through their bilge.

[buster. 4,882]

So is Toxic being given the boot?

 

He doesn't appear to have been getting paid 'directly' by Rangers for a while, rather being labeled as the Easdale family spokesman.

 

However IMO he has always represented the interests of the 'Easdale block' and perhaps as an extension has advised the RIFC board as a whole. Perhaps Llambias/Ashley side have decided to go down a different route to try and salvage the situation.

 

I'd be interested to see the Irvine invoices and the path they tread because I'm sure it'll be Rangers who indirectly pick-up the tab.

Edited February 19, 2015 by buster.

[aweebluesoandso 290]

One last Pig-fest before they get the boot. There wont be much left of Ashley's 5 million loan after the EGM.

[pete 2,499]

One last Pig-fest before they get the boot. There wont be much left of Ashley's 5 million loan after the EGM.

 

There may not be a lot left of his 10 million loan. We still have 15 days at least and another wage payout.