I am a graphic designer, Andrew Fountain kindly refers to us as "Art Fags". In the summer of 2009 I was hired by Andrew Fountain to create designs for 2 of his upstart businesses.
There are 2 major issues with Andrew Fountain and his many upstart scam companies. In particular I am referring to 2, The Foy Media Group, and Canada Free Wifi. If I had known either of these things at the start of the project(s) I would have ran screaming.
1. All his ideas for business(s) are scams. He is the most dishonest person I have ever met, he doesn't even finesse any part of it, it is more of a smash and grab.
2. He has no idea what he is doing, he sells ideas that seem good and offers tech support but actually knows nothing about what he is selling.
To tell you a bit of what The Foy Media Group does, they (I use "they" very loosely, I'm sure his "company" is just him on a cell phone) try to sell digital signage packages. Both the hardware (LCD Panels, Computer, and Mounting Hardware) and software.
And the other is Canada Free Wifi, which is targeted towards business offering them wireless internet access. This one is actually the worst idea I have ever heard, he grossly misrepresents the idea. Apparently he buys a router sets it up and then bombards the people on the network with gross ads and clogs up the connection then charges the business for internet access, while selling ad space to be broadcasted on your network to anyone using your wireless connection.
We were contracted to create a brand identity package for The Foy Media group, and Canada Free Wifi, including 2 websites, one for each company. I won't say how much we charged him for these services, but it was a very low price, so low that I don't care to share it.
We started the project and quickly found out how clueless he was. He asked us to write all the content on The Foy Media site. When we said we couldn't because we don't know and he hasn't told us he sent me a link to a website (competitor) and asked me to just "copy&paste" their content. I refused, and ended up writing the content ad I thought it could be.
We finished both of the projects. At the end of the project he paid us 50% of the bill, for The Foy Media Group, and none for the Canada Free Wifi, but said he would pay us the rest of The Foy Media Group invoice, and all of the Canada Free Wifi invoice in a couple days.
After over 2 weeks of ignoring our emails and calls he finally spoke to us, then he proceeded to make 4 meetings with us and not show up to a single one.
So we pulled the website down that he didn't pay for, this sent him into a rage and caused him to behave very badly. He had talked us into putting the site back up and had said again he would pay us. He told me he would have another 50% of the bill to pay minus the taxes, he showed up gave me a folded check...when he left I unfolded it and the cheque wasn't made for 50% of the bill, it was for 20%.
He then dodged our calls for another 2 weeks, at which time we pulled the site down again. And like before he responded with a huge tantrum. He also confessed that he was mad we actually got paid anything by him, and that he doesn't normally pay designers anything because we are just a bunch of "Art Fags that cry". He also said a number of other inappropriate comments.
At this point we severed our ties with him and kindly asked him to stop using the graphics we created that he did not pay for, he said "no". We even got a lawyer to write him a cease and desist letter, which didn't faze him at all.
I felt obligated to let people know what kind of person Andrew Fountain is and that they should not have any dealings with him.
This story is also just a tip of the iceberg, Andrew Fountain is so crooked. I'll make a few closing points just to better illustrate what kind of person he is.
The products he sells under The Foy Media Group, he can not support, he actually tried to get me to help him figure out how to use the software. So he is selling a product he knows nothing about and cannot support.
The products / services he sells under Canada Free Wifi, again he knows nothing about. The ads he sells on these networks are down right gross, they are those teeth whitening or weight loss ads that are usually on those viral pop-up windows.
He says that he has over 20 locations using his service in the area?? But on his site he lists any place that offers wifi nationally (across all of Canada) and tries to claim it as his service...wow.
Andrew
oshawa,#2REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, October 26, 2009
Here's the straight story FOY MEDIA Group is a digital signage systems integrator. When we say digital signage we mean Retail TV, Electronic Billboards, Dynamic Digital Signs, Narrowcasting, DOOH (Digital-Out-of-Home) Advertising, Out-of-Home Media Networks, Corporate Communications, Employee TV, Captive Audience Networks, Electronic Posters, or Digital Posters. We figure your needs are unique; that's why FOY MEDIA has the digital signage software, advertising management and content creation services that will give your digital signs the modern edge you're looking for. From concept to completion FOY Media designs and installs digital signage deployments for various applications in numerous markets. Our team of professional designers create and administer engaging video segments that promote the products and services of virtually any business. Its like having your very own tv channel which can increase sales, enhance the image of your business, educate, entertain and or reduce perceived wait times. Installation is very simple. Clients receive a FOY MEDIA pre configured computer running a NAVORI SA Software product, simply connect the computer to a flat screen TV and hi-speed internet and a few minutes later the tv downloads your content. FOY Medias onsite installation services are streamlined to the point where it can take 24 to 48 hours from the time a customer signs a contract to the time content is created and we have installed your Digital Signage Solution on your premise. From one screen to thousands, no job is to small for FOY MEDIA. We strive in promoting environmentally friendly marketing practices which reduce the carbon foot print of traditional marketing and communication practices. Repurposing traditional paper based communication to digital distribution methods can potentially save thousands of dollars in printing and or advertising costs. Not to mention delivering the competitive edge for a winning marketing strategy. Sincerely Andrew Fountain
President
FOY MEDIA Group Inc
andrewfountain (at) foymedia.com
Andrew
oshawa,#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, October 26, 2009
Hello my name is Andrew Fountain owner operator of the FOY MEDIA GROUP INC (FMG) I writing in response to a claim / allegation that my company and all affiliated persons are "liars & crooks" First off Clearly the author is not prepared to stand behind his frivolous claims and untruthful accusations. The lack of factual information and or proof to support any statements clearly indicates the character of the author. Any one who takes the time to right such an elaborate negative claim or concern with out signing there name is a coward. With out going into detail FMG did hire Brian h*o Sang from http://www.monsterpilot.ca to produce a new logo and website for the quoted cost of $1200.00 Brian h*o Sang did not complete the work he was contracted to do. Brian h*o Sang was fired by FMG as a contractor. At this time Brian removed our FMG website from our servers. FMG paid Brian h*o Sang / MonsterPilot $700 for a website we never received in 100% working order. FMG has no problem dialoging or discussing the above claim and or providing a list of clients / references that are actually willing to stand behind there comments and opinions of our business practices. Here's the straight story FOY MEDIA Group is a digital signage systems integrator. When we say digital signage we mean Retail TV, Electronic Billboards, Dynamic Digital Signs, Narrowcasting, DOOH (Digital-Out-of-Home) Advertising, Out-of-Home Media Networks, Corporate Communications, Employee TV, Captive Audience Networks, Electronic Posters, or Digital Posters. We figure your needs are unique; that's why FOY MEDIA has the digital signage software, advertising management and content creation services that will give your digital signs the modern edge you're looking for. From concept to completion FOY Media designs and installs digital signage deployments for various applications in numerous markets. Our team of professional designers create and administer engaging video segments that promote the products and services of virtually any business. Its like having your very own tv channel which can increase sales, enhance the image of your business, educate, entertain and or reduce perceived wait times. Installation is very simple. Clients receive a FOY MEDIA pre configured computer running a NAVORI SA Software product, simply connect the computer to a flat screen TV and hi-speed internet and a few minutes later the tv downloads your content. FOY Medias onsite installation services are streamlined to the point where it can take 24 to 48 hours from the time a customer signs a contract to the time content is created and we have installed your Digital Signage Solution on your premise. From one screen to thousands, no job is to small for FOY MEDIA. We strive in promoting environmentally friendly marketing practices which reduce the carbon foot print of traditional marketing and communication practices. Repurposing traditional paper based communication to digital distribution methods can potentially save thousands of dollars in printing and or advertising costs. Not to mention delivering the competitive edge for a winning marketing strategy. Sincerely Andrew Fountain President FOY MEDIA Group Inc [email protected]