Remaining Staff of Life or Death PR Announces Departure Following Sexual Harassment Claims

Two days after sexual harassment allegations led to company founder and CEO Heathcliff Berru's resignation from the company, Life or Death PR president Nick Dierl announced that the rest of the staff was leaving the publicity firm.

"In light of recent events, the remainder of the Life or Death staff is leaving the company today," Dierl wrote on Twitter. "We are saddened by the circumstances under which we are departing but are grateful for the opportunity we had together... There will be a new venture imminently that bears no ties to Heathcliff Berru or the Life or Death name."

More than seven women in the music industry -- artists and industry figures alike -- have come forward in the last 48 hours accusing Berru of sexual harassment over the past several years. Monday night (Jan. 18), Dirty Projectors vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Amber Coffman tweeted about being harassed in a bar by a popular music publicist, later naming Berru as the perpetrator (Coffman's tweets can be seen here). Shortly afterward, more women came forward with either words of support or stories of their own, including Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino, Little Empire Music's Christy Merriner, musician Roxy Lange, Danger Village publicist Beth Martinez, Bonnaroo coordinator Martika Finch and several more.

Tuesday afternoon, Life or Death released a statement announcing that Berru had resigned as CEO of the company, and later that night Berru released a statement apologizing to "those who I have offended by my actions and how I have made certain women feel," adding that he was entering rehab for drug and alcohol addiction. As the allegations came to light, artists such as Wavves, Diiv, Kelela, Speedy Ortiz, Beach Fossils and wet all announced they would cease working with Life or Death. Killer Mike has also weighed in on the situation, expressing support for the victims and hope that Berru can be "a better human being."

Read Dierl's tweets below.

In light of recent events, the remainder of the Life or Death staff is leaving the company today.

— Nick X Dierl (@nickdierl) January 20, 2016

 

We are saddened by the circumstances under which we are departing but are grateful for the opportunity we had together.

— Nick X Dierl (@nickdierl) January 20, 2016

 

There will be a new venture imminently that bears no ties to Heathcliff Berru or the Life or Death name.

— Nick X Dierl (@nickdierl) January 20, 2016

 

More soon from Bradley, Linda, Duncan, Emily and Nick.

— Nick X Dierl (@nickdierl) January 20, 2016