O'Sullivan gets approval for p. r. firm

The most important decision made by a federal bankruptcy judge, as far as O'Sullivan Industries employees are concerned, is the one that makes sure their jobs, pay, and benefits are secure, at least for the time being.
That decision was made late last week, at the same time the judge approved O'Sullivan officials' request, first revealed in The Turner Report, to pay for the services of a number of companies to help them through the Chapter 11 proceedings.
Among those companies are law firms, specialists in restructuring and...a public relations firm, which had already received a $50,000 retainer before O'Sullivan Industries filed for bankruptcy.
Court documents indicate O'Sullivan officials are asking the judge for permission to hire p.r. consultant Edward Howard, saying that his "professional fees for the services provided would be between $80 per hour and $420 per hour, depending on the staff member assigned to the project."
And that's not all. "The debtors would be billed for necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with such services." Of course, those rates may go even higher, the documents said. "Edward Howard's rates are generally revised periodically and would be billed as necessitated by its computer software billing program."
Just in case any legal problems arise out of the Howard firm's representation of O'Sullivan Industries, the company would also be required to pay its legal costs, the documents indicate.
The services to be provided by Howard are spelled out in the court documents. "Edward Howard is skilled in providing communications consulting services in restructurings and reorganizations. It is (our) understanding that Edward Howard provides strategic counseling in corporate relations, financial relations, and public affairs and has experience serving as a public relations consultant to Chapter 11 debtors in the automotive, chemical, home decor, retail pharmaceutical, steel, and technological industries, among others."
The company's past client list includes: Revco Drug Stores, Borden Chemicals, Advanced Lighting Technologies, and A. B. Dick Company.