Weber Shandwick Resolves Lawsuit Against Hill & Knowlton Strategies, Ken Luce, Jody Venturoni and MaximaGroup, LLC

NEW YORK, June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick announced today that it has settled its lawsuit against Hill & Knowlton Strategies, Jody Venturoni, Ken Luce and MaximaGroup LLC, a company owned by Luce.

Weber Shandwick filed a lawsuit on January 17, 2012, seeking to protect its business interests and those of its clients alleging that confidential documents had been misappropriated by Jody Venturoni, formerly head of Weber Shandwick's Texas operations from October, 2010 through December, 2011. In addition, Weber Shandwick alleged that Ken Luce, also the former head of Weber Shandwick's Texas operations, improperly solicited Weber Shandwick employees and clients.

Following the filing of the lawsuit, an Agreed Temporary Restraining Order against Luce, Venturoni and Hill & Knowlton was issued by a Texas Court. This Agreed Temporary Restraining Order was extended by agreement and further Court order on April 12, 2012.

On June 12, 2012, the parties entered into a settlement of the matter that Weber Shandwick stated protects its business interests, its clients' confidential data and its clients' confidential information. The details of the settlement are confidential.

In conjunction with the settlement, Jody Venturoni released the following statement:

"During my last year of employment with Weber Shandwick and immediately after my resignation, I took confidential information belonging to Weber Shandwick. I shared some of this information with employees at Hill & Knowlton. This information has since been returned to Weber Shandwick or destroyed. Weber Shandwick took justified legal action to protect its own business interests and those of its clients. We have reached a confidential settlement of this matter."

In addition, Hill & Knowlton released the following statement:

"We regret the circumstances that led Weber Shandwick to take legal action against H&K and certain of its employees. We understand Weber Shandwick took this action to protect its business interests. We have reached a confidential settlement of these matters."

Weber Shandwick issued the following statement:

"We are extremely disappointed by the actions of Ken Luce and Jody Venturoni, but we are pleased with the conditions and terms of the settlement."

About Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations firm with offices in 81 countries around the world. The firm has won numerous awards for innovative approaches and creative campaigns, and it has deep expertise in social media and digital marketing.  Major practice areas include consumer marketing, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, corporate and crisis management. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com.

Contact:
Jennifer Norton
Weber Shandwick
212.445.8314
[email protected]

SOURCE Weber Shandwick