'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
HYBE has reportedly acquired a PR agency based in the United States to increase the public relations potential of the agency's American branch. On September 20, Yonhap reported that the PR firm named The Agency Group PR LLC has been added to the consolidated subsidiaries list of HYBE.
According to the media reports, the entertainment label's bi-annual reports suggested that The Agency Group PR (TAG PR), a non-list company in Santa Monica, California was acquired by the South Korean entertainment conglomerate through equity acquisition.
TAG PR is known to have clients like popular celebrities including Johnny Depp, Justin Baldoni, Drake, and Logan Paul. Meanwhile, the South Korean label has artists like BTS, TXT, SEVENTEEN, LE SSERAFIM, NewJeans, TWS, BOYNEXTDOOR, Fromis_9, and more. With the news of the agency acquiring TAG PR and the given list of their celebrities, clients have caused a huge buzz on social media.
Trending
Notably, HYBE now reportedly owns a 51 percent stake in the American PR firm becoming its parent company. A source from the Korean management company on the condition of anonymity stated Yonhap:
“We acquired the PR agency early this year as part of our efforts to strengthen the public relations resources of Hybe America.”
More about The Agency Group PR: HYBE's new subsidiary firm's previous controversial clients
Recently, HYBE acquired a US-based PR agency to up its publicity game in the country for its American branch. The PR agency was reportedly revealed to be The Agency Group PR which is known for its involvement in the widely known Johnny Depp’s defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard who had published an opinion editorial with The Washington Post in 2018.
Although, Johnny Depp won the case winning 15 million USD as compensation for the damages that occurred due to the article written by Amber Heard, public opinion regarding the case reportedly went against Johnny Depp. He was accused of holding a campaign to tarnish the reputation of his ex-wife.
Besides this, the agency has also managed the PR crisis for Justin Baldoni due to the rumors of his dispute with Blake Lively, his co-star in the film It Ends With Us. Justin Baldoni allegedly made displeasing work conditions for the sets of the film.
A common link between Johnny Depp, and Justin Baldoni is Melissa Nathan as she was involved in the PR management of both the actor's cases. Melissa Nathan is listed as one of the two managers of TAG PR and she is also the president of LLC.
Many netizens have showcased their dissatisfaction with BTS agency acquiring TAG PR due to their involvement in past controversial celebrity’ cases.
HYBE's feud with Min Hee-jin
On August 27, Min Hee-jin was dismissed from the position of CEO of HYBE's subsidiary label ADOR, and the Chief Human Resources Officer Kim Joo-young was appointed as the new CEO of the label. The conglomerate came under scrutiny as NewJeans, a K-pop girl group managed by ADOR, showcased their disappointment in the parent label for dismissing Min Hee-jin as the CEO.
On September 11, NewJeans took to YouTube live to share their thoughts on Min Hee-jin's removal and alleged that they were being mistreated by the agency after the former CEO's departure. While addressing their issues, Danielle, a member of the girl group, also urged the agency and Bang PD to reinstate Min Hee-jin by September 25, 2024.
