Publicists Battle to Rep Robert Pattinson

This story first appeared in the Aug. 23-Sept. 5 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

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It was an innocent joke: "My biggest problem in life is, I'm cheap and I didn't hire a publicist," Robert Pattinson told Jon Stewart on Aug. 13 on The Daily Show while promoting Cosmopolis amid the Kristen Stewart cheating hoopla.

Sources tell THR the comment set off a mini-frenzy among top Hollywood publicity shops, many of which were salivating at the prospect that Pattinson -- who for years has gone without a personal PR rep -- might finally take one on.

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The Twilight star's manager, Nick Frenkel, is said to have been inundated with phone calls and e-mails from firms including 42West, Sunshine Sachs and others seeking meetings to pitch press strategies for the 26-year-old star (and offering to slash fees).

Frenkel declines comment, but one source says Pattinson still has no desire to add a publicist to his team. Notes one veteran rep, "He's actually doing really well on his own."