Dynamic duo reunited
Coyle and Basham aim to recreate the glory days of PR
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two of the top corporate spin doctors of the 1980s are to rejoin forces next week in a bid to recreate their heady success when multi-billion takeovers were 10 a penny.
Brian Basham, fresh from his victory in the British Airways/Virgin "dirty tricks" libel case last month, is teaming up again with PR consultant John Coyle to launch the new Basham & Coyle Partnership Plc tomorrow.
Mr Basham, dubbed "The Streetfighter" from his days advising the likes of Lord Hanson and BA's Lord King, says the new venture has already gained a warm response from City merchant banks.
"We're going back into the mainstream - new issues and bids and deals. One head of corporate finance has already said he'll use us on his next takeover."
The two built up Broad Street Associates from 1980 into a 1,000-strong firm floated on the stock market in 1988.
It advised Guinness on its bid for Bells whisky, and Argyle's Sir James Gulliver against Ernest Saunders' bid for Distillers, and defended Dunlop and Pilkington from BTR.
Mr Coyle, a former journalist, left shortly after the flotation, however, in a falling-out over strategy. He built up two new outfits, Square Mile and Barbican Communications.
Mr Basham also cashed in his chips after selling out to the French advertising agency BDDP in 1991. His Warwick Corporate now brings on board clients such as Manpower and auctioneer Christies, adding to Mr Coyle's list of growing smaller firms.
Another venture, Equity Developments, will offer research to the market on smaller companies
Mr Basham has also acted for the Meat and Livestock Commission over the BSE scare and conceived the Remembrance Day "two minutes silence" for the Royal British Legion.
The venture starts with more than pounds 1m of fee income already and is being backed by investor Tony Caplin, who will take responsibility for finance.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments