PR Services Contract Template — Media Relations & Crisis Communication

This Public Relations Services Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of [DATE]:
PR Agency: [YOUR NAME/AGENCY], located at [ADDRESS] ("Agency")
Client: [CLIENT NAME/COMPANY], located at [ADDRESS] ("Client")
This Agreement governs the provision of public relations services described below.

Agency agrees to provide the following PR services:
Media Relations:
  - Media outreach and relationship building
  - Pitch development and distribution
  - Media interview coordination
Press Release Services:
  - Writing and editing press releases
  - Distribution through [DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS]
  - Media follow-up and relationship management
Crisis Communication: [INCLUDED / AVAILABLE AS ADD-ON]
Event PR: [INCLUDED / AVAILABLE AS ADD-ON]
NOT Included: [e.g., advertising, paid media, social media management]

Agency provides PR strategy, outreach, and relationship building services
Agency cannot guarantee media coverage, placement, or publication
Media coverage decisions are made by journalists, editors, and media outlets
Agency will use professional best practices but cannot control media outcomes
Client acknowledges that PR success is measured by quality of outreach, not guaranteed placements

Media contacts, relationships, and databases developed during this engagement remain Agency property
Client may not copy, export, or use Agency's media contact database independently
Agency grants Client benefit of media relationships during the engagement
Upon termination, Agency retains all media contacts and relationships
Client may not solicit Agency's media contacts for [X] months after termination

All press releases and public statements require Client approval before distribution
Client will review and provide feedback within [X] business days
Agency includes [X] revision rounds per press release
Delays in approval may impact distribution timelines and media opportunities
Client is responsible for accuracy of facts and information provided to Agency
Agency not liable for errors in Client-provided information

Crisis Communication Services: [INCLUDED / AVAILABLE AS ADD-ON]
Crisis Response Timeline: Agency will respond within [X] hours of notification
Spokesperson: [CLIENT DESIGNEE / AGENCY REPRESENTATIVE]
Escalation Process: [DEFINE ESCALATION PROCEDURES]
After-Hours Crisis Support: Available at [RATE] per incident
Agency will follow agreed crisis protocols but cannot guarantee media response outcomes

Agency will not represent competing clients in [DEFINE COMPETITIVE SCOPE]
Client will not engage competing PR agencies for same services during this Agreement
Agency may represent non-competing clients in same industry
Potential conflicts will be disclosed and resolved before engagement
Violation of exclusivity may result in immediate termination

Payment Structure: [MONTHLY RETAINER / PROJECT FEE / HOURLY]
Monthly Retainer: $[AMOUNT]/month, due on [DAY] of each month
OR Project Fee: $[AMOUNT] total, paid [PAYMENT SCHEDULE]
OR Hourly Rate: $[RATE]/hour, invoiced [FREQUENCY]
Additional Services: [RATE] for services outside scope
Payment Terms: Net [X] days from invoice
Late Payment: [X]% monthly fee after [X] day grace period

Agency will provide monthly reports including:
  - Media mentions and coverage
  - Media outreach activities
  - Relationship building activities
  - Press release distribution results
Success Metrics: [DEFINE METRICS - mentions, reach, sentiment, etc.]
Advanced analytics available as add-on service
Reports provided within [X] days of month end

Agency will maintain confidentiality of Client business information
Confidential information includes: business plans, financials, strategies, trade secrets
Agency may share information necessary for PR services with media contacts
Confidentiality obligations survive termination of this Agreement
Standard exclusions: publicly available information, information independently developed

Either party may terminate with [X] days written notice
Upon termination:
  - Client pays for all services rendered through termination date
  - Agency delivers all work-in-progress and materials
  - Agency retains media contacts and relationships
  - Confidentiality obligations continue
No refunds for retainer fees paid for future services

Agency's liability limited to total fees paid under this Agreement
Agency not liable for indirect, consequential, or punitive damages
Agency provides PR services, not guarantees of media coverage or business results
Agency not liable for negative media coverage or public relations crises
Client responsible for accuracy of information provided to Agency

Both parties agree to the terms above.
Agency: _________________ Date: _________
Client: _________________ Date: _________