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Subcontractor Agreement
Ref: 2026-001 • Standard Business Template
1. Project Scope & Deliverables
The Subcontractor agrees to perform the public relations services described in Exhibit A (the 'Services'). These services shall be performed with the professional standard of care expected in the PR industry. Any changes to the scope must be agreed upon in writing by both parties.
2. Subcontractor Duties
Subcontractor shall act as a 'white label' representative of the Lead Consultant. Subcontractor is prohibited from contacting the End-Client directly for matters outside the assigned project scope and must obtain approval for all media pitches and press releases prior to distribution.
3. Payment Terms
Lead Consultant shall pay Subcontractor the fees outlined in Exhibit A. This agreement follows a 'Pay-When-Paid' model: Subcontractor acknowledges that payment is contingent upon the Lead Consultant receiving payment from the End-Client. Payments will be disbursed to Subcontractor within ten (10) business days of receipt of funds from the End-Client.
4. Non-Solicitation & Non-Compete
During the term of this Agreement and for a period of twenty-four (24) months thereafter, the Subcontractor shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, bypass, or attempt to perform services for any End-Client introduced by the Lead Consultant. Violation of this clause shall entitle the Lead Consultant to liquidated damages equal to the total gross revenue generated from said End-Client.
5. Independent Contractor Status
The parties agree that the Subcontractor is an independent contractor and not an employee of the Lead Consultant. The Subcontractor is responsible for all self-employment taxes, insurance, and professional equipment. This agreement does not create a partnership or joint venture.
6. Intellectual Property Ownership
All work product, including media lists, press releases, pitch decks, and campaign strategies created by the Subcontractor, shall be considered 'work-for-hire' and shall be the sole property of the Lead Consultant or the End-Client upon payment.
7. Insurance & Liability
Subcontractor shall maintain adequate professional liability insurance. Subcontractor agrees to indemnify and hold the Lead Consultant harmless from any claims, damages, or legal fees arising from the Subcontractor’s negligence, breach of contract, or unauthorized disclosures to the media.
Client Poaching
Subcontractors build direct rapport with your clients during projects, creating a massive risk they will 'cut out the middleman' unless legally restrained.
IP Leakage
Without a 'work-for-hire' clause, the freelancer may legally own the media lists and strategy decks they create, preventing you from using them for other clients.
Unauthorized Media Statements
If a sub speaks to a journalist without your approval, they could violate your client's NDA, leaving your agency liable for breach of contract.
What is a PR Consultant Subcontractor Agreement?
A PR Consultant Subcontractor Agreement is a legally binding contract that defines the relationship between a lead agency and a freelance specialist. it ensures the agency owns all work product, prevents the freelancer from poaching clients, and limits the agency's liability for the subcontractor's actions.
Built from real freelance projects
This template is based on real-world scenarios across freelance projects where unclear scope, missing payment terms, and revision creep led to lost revenue. It is designed to protect your time, define expectations, and ensure you get paid.
Why PR Consultants need a clear subcontractor agreement
In the PR world, your value lies in your relationships and your strategic 'secret sauce.' When you scale by hiring subcontractors, you are essentially letting an outsider behind the curtain of your agency. Without a PR-specific subcontractor agreement, you risk 'client bypass,' where the freelancer realizes they can do the work for less and pitches your client directly. Furthermore, PR is high-stakes; one poorly worded press release or an unauthorized 'off-the-record' comment by a sub can lead to a defamation suit. This agreement shifts that liability onto the person performing the work and ensures that you, the lead consultant, own the intellectual property—the media lists, the pitches, and the placements—that your subcontractor creates. It also protects your cash flow by ensuring you aren't paying a freelancer out of pocket if the end-client defaults on their invoice.
Real-world scenario
Marcus, an independent PR strategist, landed a massive rebranding project for a tech firm and hired a freelance 'media relations expert' to assist. Two months in, Marcus discovered the freelancer had sent a private LinkedIn message to the client offering to handle their social media for 30% less than Marcus was charging. Because Marcus had a professional Subcontractor Agreement in place, he was able to immediately terminate the freelancer and trigger a non-solicitation clause that included a $15,000 penalty. When the client saw the freelancer had violated a legal contract, they immediately cut ties with the freelancer to avoid legal drama and stayed loyal to Marcus. The agreement didn't just protect Marcus's revenue; it proved to the client that Marcus was a sophisticated business owner who protected his professional ecosystem.
🛡️ What this subcontractor agreement covers:
- ✓Work-for-Hire Intellectual Property Transfer
- ✓Non-Solicitation of End-Clients and Agency Staff
- ✓Pay-When-Paid Payment Timing Clause
- ✓Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Protections
- ✓Professional Liability and Indemnification Limits
- ✓Independent Contractor Status Verification
Best practices for PR Consultants
Define the 'End-Client'
Always list the specific clients the subcontractor is prohibited from soliciting to avoid any ambiguity.
Align Payment Cycles
Set the subcontractor's payment date to 7–10 days after you receive payment from the client to protect your agency's liquidity.
Legal Disclaimer: MicroFreelanceHub is a software workflow tool, not a law firm. The templates and information provided on this website are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prevent a subcontractor from ever working with my client again?
Yes, through a non-solicitation clause, usually limited to a specific timeframe (e.g., 12-24 months) after the project ends.
What if the subcontractor makes a mistake that leads to a libel suit?
The 'Indemnification' clause in this template requires the subcontractor to pay for legal costs and damages resulting from their specific errors or omissions.