Bell Yard Press Coverage

Memorabilia firm hires Bell Yard for PR on Diana case

By Joe Lepper
18 July 2003

Franklin Mint, the US memorabilia company that is suing the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund charity, has hired Bell Yard Communications to handle its litigation PR.

The agency was brought in last Friday as the firm dealt with media interest in its latest legal wrangle with the charity.

The firm is suing for malicious prosecution following five years of legal action, starting with a failed bid by the charity to stop Franklin Mint making mementoes of the Princess, and ending last year with the failure of an appeal by the charity.

This latest action, although launched by Franklin Mint last November, has prompted the charity to freeze around £10m in grants for charities this year.

According to Bell Yard co-founder Richard Elsen, who reports to the firm's corporate counsel Howard Lucker, key messages being put out include publicising a pledge by the firm to give any money won in the case to the Princess's chosen charities.

Meanwhile, the Fund has also drafted in extra PR support, taking on two freelance PR consultants to assist the three-strong team. Shelley-Anne Claircourt, one of those brought in, said the latest legal action is unnecessary as the charity had not planned further legal action following the failed appeal.

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