In a Russian advertising agency bankruptcy, a client campaign budget should not automatically be treated as agency remuneration: first identify the payment purpose, contract model and actual platform spend. Commission, media budget, advertising accounts, subcontractor accounts, creative rights and ad-labelling duties all require separate review.
Break down the budget
Platform spend, commission and content production need separate account lines.
An account is not cash
Access, account owner, balance and platform rules are distinct issues.
Document the rights
Delivery of a banner or video does not always include source files or copyright.
Quick self-check
- The contract model—services, agency, commission or mixed—is identified.
- Media plan, estimate, platform reports, acceptance and payment records are collected.
- Owner, administrators and balance are known for every advertising account.
- Source files, licences, approvals and transferred rights are checked.
- Ad identifiers, reporting and the placement chain are reconciled.
Understand the Campaign Budget
A media budget may be paid to the agency for specified platforms or form part of an all-inclusive project price. Determine whether the agency acted in its own name or for the client, which expenses were incurred, whether remuneration arose and whether a balance is refundable. One invoice total is insufficient.
Campaigns and Platform Accounts
Record the platform, account identifier, payer, administrator, active campaigns, limits, balance and spend history. Sharing a login does not necessarily transfer the platform contract or money balance. Arrange safe campaign shutdown so that new charges do not accrue after operations cease.
Subcontractors and Deliverables
Video, design, lead generation, outdoor placements and influencer work may involve different subcontractors. For each stage identify the customer, acceptance, usable output, payment and ability to deliver it onward. Failure of one stage does not automatically erase the value of the whole project.
Creative Files and Rights
Identify authors, photographs, music, fonts and licence terms. The contract should show whether copyright, a licence or only a finished file is delivered. Source files and access credentials are transferred where they form part of the agreed output, not simply because the campaign was paid for.
- preserve approved versions;
- collect licences and consents;
- identify rights holders;
- record delivery format;
- separate rights from money claims.
Ad Labelling, Reports and Final Account
For online advertising, review the participant chain, identifier, labelling and data reporting through the advertising-data operator. The client should preserve proof of actions already completed. The final account combines unused budget, accepted work, commission, proven expenses and compensation received without double counting.
| Element | Review | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Media budget | Purpose and actual spend | Calculate the balance |
| Platform account | Owner, access and balance | Record and stop spend |
| Subcontractor work | Contract, acceptance and payment | Identify usable output |
| Creative or video | Authorship and rights scope | Arrange delivery |
| Ad labelling | Identifier and reporting | Preserve evidence |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the full campaign budget be recovered?
Not always. Proven platform spend, accepted work and earned remuneration must be accounted for.
Who owns the advertising account?
It depends on registration, platform contract, payer role and agency terms; access and money are separate.
Must the agency transfer source files?
That depends on agreed deliverables, contract and rights in incorporated elements.
Who completes ad reporting after the agency closes?
Identify the participant responsible for the specific duty and preserve historic placement data.
How are unperformed services proven?
Compare the media plan, live campaigns, platform statistics, acceptance, communications and payments by stage.
Legal Sources
- Federal Law No. 38-FZ on Advertising.
- Russian Civil Code Part Two: Services and Agency.
- Russian Civil Code Part Four: Intellectual Property.
- Federal Law No. 127-FZ.
- 2026 Amendments to Federal Law No. 127-FZ.
- Federal Bankruptcy Register.
Related guides: publishing house bankruptcy, marketplace seller bankruptcy and corporate bankruptcy.
Is the Agency Holding Your Budget or Deliverables?
We can review the contract model, platform spend, accounts, source files, ad reporting and claim value.
BOOK AN INITIAL CONSULTATIONGeneral information as at 28 August 2026. Treatment depends on contract model, payment purpose, platform reports, content rights and case stage.