Trial & Error sues 2 PR agencies for over HK$1.3m in unpaid fees

Hong Kong YouTube channel Trial & Error has filed a lawsuit against two public relations agencies for over HK$1.3 million in unpaid fees related to public relations activities for local artist Kayan9896.

The first defendant is Square Communications (思匯傳訊), and the second defendant is Buzz PR & Company (布斯公關), with no hearing dates currently scheduled for either case.

In the case against the first defendant, Trial & Error stated in a filing that it signed a contract with Square Communications on 5 October 2023, for promotional activities featuring Kayan9896 in the Tommy Hilfiger Autumn/Winter collection, running from October 2023 to January 2024, according to The Witness and Sing Tao Headline.

During this period, Kayan9896 was a signed artist of Trial & Error and fulfilled all contractual obligations. The service fee was HK$350,000, with a 30% deposit due followed by the balance on 8 December 2023. An invoice issued on 28 October 2023 noted a 10% monthly fee for late payments.

Square Communications paid HK$105,000 as a deposit on 6 December 2023, but did not settle the remaining 70% after Trial & Error completed its work in February 2024. Trial & Error requested payment again in May 2025. The filing indicates that the defendant is now 23 months overdue, resulting in HK$563,500 in accumulated late fees and a pursuit of HK$245,000 in service fees, along with a 10% late fee until payment is made.

In the case against the second defendant, Trial & Error stated that it signed a contract with Buzz PR & Company on 9 November 2022, for artist services related to the "Ferragamo 22 x kayan9896" PR event. The defendant agreed to pay a service fee of HK$110,000 by 9 December 2022, with a 10% monthly late fee applied to overdue payments.

Trial & Error requested the fee in January 2023 after Kayan9896 completed the work, but the defendant did not pay. Despite multiple follow-ups, including a warning on 22 September 2025, about additional fees, Buzz PR & Company failed to make any payments. As of the filing date, the defendant is 35 months overdue, with accumulated late fees totaling HK$385,000, prompting Trial & Error to seek the original HK$110,000 service fee plus late charges.

Trial & Error requested payment in January 2023 after Kayan9896 completed the work, but the defendant did not pay. Despite multiple follow-ups, including a warning on 22 September 2025, about additional fees, Buzz PR & Company remained unpaid. As of the filing date, the defendant is 35 months overdue, with accumulated late fees totaling HK$385,000, leading Trial & Error to seek the original HK$110,000 service fee plus the late charges.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Square Communications and Buzz PR & Company for a statement respectively. 

Don’t miss: How Trial & Error's finale flips the script on HK creator monetisation

Founded in 2020 by local artists Neo Yau, Hui Yin, and So Chi Ho, Trial & Error has amassed over 640,000 YouTube subscribers with its signature short skits, movie parodies, variety games, and mockumentaries.

Back in October, the YouTube channel bid farewell to audience with a Squid Game-inspired reality show, “Cuttlefish Game”, featuring 100 celebrities from various channels competing in five intense challenges for a chance to win a grand prize.

Related articles:

How Trial & Error's finale flips the script on HK creator monetisation
Trial & Error member arrested for theft: How it can mend its reputation in the short run
Hang Seng Bank invites millennials to manage wealth through collaboration with 'Trial & Error'