Oliver Bray > RPC > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Oliver Bray leads the advertising and marketing practice at RPC, which attracts instructions from various high-profile global brands and social media platforms. The team works closely with regulators such as the ASA and CMA, and excels in related investigations and regulatory issues. It is also well versed in advertising campaigns, influencer marketing campaigns and promotions. With over 25 years of experience in the advertising space, Bray is a key name to note for regulatory investigations and proceedings, commercial contracts, data protection and IP work. Ciara Cullen works with brands on the protection and enforcement of their IP rights, while Hettie Homewood focuses on advertising and marketing matters, utilising her former in-house experience in the entertainment and consumer goods sector to advise retailers, brands, online marketplaces, and creative agencies.

RPC‘s interactive entertainment and esports practice is led by newly promoted partner and gaming expert Josh Charalambous, who excels in advising esports teams, investors and publishers on a commercial and regulatory issues. The group acts for an impressive client roster comprised of major publishers, developers, content companies and esports organisations, who routinely turn to the team for assistance with a wide range of matters, from commercial contracts, to data protection, advertising, IP and competition. Jeremy Drew handles sponsorship deals and content issues for gaming and esports clients, while Oliver Bray leverages his expertise in digital platforms and advertising to assist clients operating in this space. David Cran plays a prominent role in high-profile disputes.

At the forefront of the digital content and social media markets, RPC provides assistance to leading social media platforms and products, video game publishers, digital marketplaces and content companies with the full range of legal matters. On the litigation front, the group focuses on advising defendants, including major media organisations. The team also boasts expertise in online safety issues and blockchain. Oliver Bray and Rupert Cowper-Coles jointly lead the group. Focused on the digital space, Bray assists social media platforms and brands with regulatory investigations, digital and commercial contracts, data protection and IP issues. Cowper-Coles is a leading data protection litigator and is well versed in representing technology and social media companies in complex disputes. IP expert David Cran handles class actions involving competition, consumer and data issues, while Ciara Cullen is active in both contentious and non-contentious media matters. Interactive entertainment and esports specialist Josh Charalambous is key to digital matters involving sports, esports, publishers and brands. Hettie Homewood focuses on digital and content matters, most notably regulatory and contractual work.

Leveraging ‘exceptional professional skills’ and a strong network of international offices, RPC specialises in handling HMRC criminal investigations alongside negotiating settlements regarding interim applications. The practice also shows strength in stadium acquisitions and regulatory compliance, with team lead Jeremy Drew being an expert in sponsorship deals and sports regulation matters. Josh Charalambous is knowledgeable in complex commercial issues – with clients praising his ‘excellent judgement’ – while Neil Brown routinely acts for buyers and investors in sport. Oliver Bray is an advertising and marketing specialist, and Adam Craggs is also recommended.

RPC houses a ‘dynamic team with in-depth knowledge across different sectors‘, which advises on the full range of commercial contracts, from franchise agreements to supply agreements. The team operates in both the private and public sectors, counting leading hospitals and technology, retail, media and financial services companies among its clients. The practice is led by Tom Purton, who advises on joint ventures and other collaboration agreements, and is heavily involved in the group’s outsourcing agreements. Oliver Bray; Paul Joukador, who is skilled in advising both customers and suppliers on contracts relating to service agreements, supply chains and operations, and digital transformation projects; Ciara Cullan; Charles Buckworth, who is extremely active in the financial services industries; and Eleanor Harley are other key team members.

Praised by clients for its ‘practical approach’, RPC works with a number of high-profile clients, including global electronics companies, multinational technology conglomerates and the largest social media applications in the world. The team regularly advises on regulatory compliance, technology outsourcing, financing, M&A, and litigation, including defence-side engagements for tech multinationals in the Competition Appeal Tribunal. The team is led by Jeremy Drew, who advises on both contentious and non-contentious matters for tech clients. Oliver Bray is a ‘trusted adviser’ on regulatory investigations, digital and commercial contracts, data protection, intellectual property and content issues. Other key figures include Caroline Tuck, a specialist in outsourcing litigation, and David Cran, a technology disputes specialist who handles both litigation and arbitration proceedings.