UPDATE: Webster Public Relations website is back online. On Tuesday afternoon, the company issued a statement that the closure was an error, and that they will continue with a new name under different leadership.
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"Earlier today, it was mistakenly posted on the Webster Public Relations' website that the firm has been closed," the firm said in a statement. This was stated incorrectly. Webster Public Relations will continue operating - but under the name Westby Public Relations - while Kirt Webster takes some time away from the business to focus on combating the egregious and untrue allegations made against him. The company's work on behalf of its clients will continue under the leadership of Jeremy Westby, Kirt's longstanding colleague."
Webster's former VP of Publicity, Scott Adkins, also announced that he is starting his own public relations firm.
Original article:
Webster Public Relations, one of Nashville's most prominent PR firms, is closed for business following sexual misconduct allegations against its CEO/President Kirt Webster.
On Tuesday morning, the company's website stated, "As of November 1, 2017, Webster Public Relations is no longer open for business."
The closure comes on the heels of explosive allegations from former country singer Austin Rick against Webster. Rick told the Nashville Scene that Webster, who was once Rick's publicist, had behaved sexually inappropriate towards him on multiple occasions.
"I trusted him completely, and he wanted to make me a star just long enough to sexually molest and abuse me," Rick told the publication. "And I remember one time he told me, 'I want there to be fireworks in your career, but only if there's fireworks between us.' And that was like pretty early on in our relationship."
We reached out to Webster PR for comment, but they had not responded by the time this article went to publish.
This story is developing, and we'll keep you updated as we learn more.
