Comments on: Ethics…you mean there are ethics? http://prbreakfastclub.com/2009/09/03/there-are-ethics/ .....a chance to start the day off right. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:25:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2 By: PR Cog http://prbreakfastclub.com/2009/09/03/there-are-ethics/comment-page-1/#comment-1406 PR Cog Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:43:43 +0000 http://prbreakfastclub.com/?p=167#comment-1406 I hadn't even considered the hell of a 3 headed snake client -- author, publishing house and ed. team.<br><br>Of course, a carefully crafted lie should keep everyone happy ;) I hadn't even considered the hell of a 3 headed snake client — author, publishing house and ed. team.

Of course, a carefully crafted lie should keep everyone happy ;)

]]> By: PR Cog http://prbreakfastclub.com/2009/09/03/there-are-ethics/comment-page-1/#comment-1404 PR Cog Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:37:36 +0000 http://prbreakfastclub.com/?p=167#comment-1404 Hi Colleen -<br><br>You're definitely correct -- if we're headed in the wrong direction from the planning stage it's a very bad sign. I would hope we all start with the best of intentions and the ethical issues get sticky when the human variables are thrown in. Then again that's probably me just being optimistic (is that possible?).<br><br>I also agree on the pushback issue. For smaller agencies I think this is particularly tough with large clients...boutiques and freelancers are a dime a dozen, if the client was the agency to just act as an additional layer but the client still runs the show completely they can go anywhere (and IMHO should). More complex when there are employees and an actual company to run tho.<br><br>Thanks again,<br>P Hi Colleen -

You're definitely correct — if we're headed in the wrong direction from the planning stage it's a very bad sign. I would hope we all start with the best of intentions and the ethical issues get sticky when the human variables are thrown in. Then again that's probably me just being optimistic (is that possible?).

I also agree on the pushback issue. For smaller agencies I think this is particularly tough with large clients…boutiques and freelancers are a dime a dozen, if the client was the agency to just act as an additional layer but the client still runs the show completely they can go anywhere (and IMHO should). More complex when there are employees and an actual company to run tho.

Thanks again,
P

]]> By: TJ Dietderich http://prbreakfastclub.com/2009/09/03/there-are-ethics/comment-page-1/#comment-1405 TJ Dietderich Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:11:37 +0000 http://prbreakfastclub.com/?p=167#comment-1405 Good thoughts here, Cog. I think depending on your firm's focus, a flack can find himself answering to four or five different masters. For example, since I work with books, we have to maintain the author, the publishing house, the editorial team, our journo colleagues, our own company's reputation, and any number of people who were also involved in the book. You can try to make everyone happy but sometimes situations crop up where it is clear that someone's interests will not be met, and you have to decide who you have the most obligation toward. <br><br>It's complicated! Good thoughts here, Cog. I think depending on your firm's focus, a flack can find himself answering to four or five different masters. For example, since I work with books, we have to maintain the author, the publishing house, the editorial team, our journo colleagues, our own company's reputation, and any number of people who were also involved in the book. You can try to make everyone happy but sometimes situations crop up where it is clear that someone's interests will not be met, and you have to decide who you have the most obligation toward.

It's complicated!

]]> By: colleencampbell http://prbreakfastclub.com/2009/09/03/there-are-ethics/comment-page-1/#comment-1403 colleencampbell Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:15:43 +0000 http://prbreakfastclub.com/?p=167#comment-1403 Cog,<br>Great post! I appreciate you weighing-in. Your example about the reporter requesting comment is a good representation of the tough situations PR Pros find themselves facing each day. In my post, I was trying to address the services (some of which the PRSA referenced in its press release on ethics) and how misrepresenation online, pay-for-play, and the lack of transparency of some firms will hurt the PR industry long term (e.g. agency loses business b/c they refuse to post positive comments or attack a client's competition on blogs, industry forums or even worse provide fake reviews/commentary, etc. ). For me, it's more about where the public relations business model is heading with the implementation and execution of services that may be unethical (or anti-PR) to start with. Some PR pros feel that they can't (shouldn't) push back on clients in these tough times (they're paying us aren't they?) However, I find a PR Pro's "value add" often comes from educating, directing and when necessary pushing back on clients to make sure they get the outcome they want, while protecting their brand and our own reputations in the industry. Now is the time to instill lasting ethical and strategic communications practices that reinforces all that is good and necessary about our profession. Again, great post Cog! Lots of food for thought! :) I enjoyed meeting you h0neyB and Amanda when you were in DC! Cog,
Great post! I appreciate you weighing-in. Your example about the reporter requesting comment is a good representation of the tough situations PR Pros find themselves facing each day. In my post, I was trying to address the services (some of which the PRSA referenced in its press release on ethics) and how misrepresenation online, pay-for-play, and the lack of transparency of some firms will hurt the PR industry long term (e.g. agency loses business b/c they refuse to post positive comments or attack a client's competition on blogs, industry forums or even worse provide fake reviews/commentary, etc. ). For me, it's more about where the public relations business model is heading with the implementation and execution of services that may be unethical (or anti-PR) to start with. Some PR pros feel that they can't (shouldn't) push back on clients in these tough times (they're paying us aren't they?) However, I find a PR Pro's “value add” often comes from educating, directing and when necessary pushing back on clients to make sure they get the outcome they want, while protecting their brand and our own reputations in the industry. Now is the time to instill lasting ethical and strategic communications practices that reinforces all that is good and necessary about our profession. Again, great post Cog! Lots of food for thought! :) I enjoyed meeting you h0neyB and Amanda when you were in DC!

]]> By: @h0neyb http://prbreakfastclub.com/2009/09/03/there-are-ethics/comment-page-1/#comment-1402 @h0neyb Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:54:38 +0000 http://prbreakfastclub.com/?p=167#comment-1402 It was sure nice meeting y'all.. I think you did the right thing with client x.. It must be hard being the nice guy but still trying to please everyones wishes. If white lies don't kill anyone, I say "Cheers to White Lies!" It was sure nice meeting y'all.. I think you did the right thing with client x.. It must be hard being the nice guy but still trying to please everyones wishes. If white lies don't kill anyone, I say “Cheers to White Lies!”

]]> By: PRCog http://prbreakfastclub.com/2009/09/03/there-are-ethics/comment-page-1/#comment-91 PRCog Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:43:43 +0000 http://prbreakfastclub.com/?p=167#comment-91 I hadn't even considered the hell of a 3 headed snake client -- author, publishing house and ed. team.<br><br>Of course, a carefully crafted lie should keep everyone happy ;) I hadn't even considered the hell of a 3 headed snake client — author, publishing house and ed. team.

Of course, a carefully crafted lie should keep everyone happy ;)

]]> By: PRCog http://prbreakfastclub.com/2009/09/03/there-are-ethics/comment-page-1/#comment-90 PRCog Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:37:36 +0000 http://prbreakfastclub.com/?p=167#comment-90 Hi Colleen -<br><br>You're definitely correct -- if we're headed in the wrong direction from the planning stage it's a very bad sign. I would hope we all start with the best of intentions and the ethical issues get sticky when the human variables are thrown in. Then again that's probably me just being optimistic (is that possible?).<br><br>I also agree on the pushback issue. For smaller agencies I think this is particularly tough with large clients...boutiques and freelancers are a dime a dozen, if the client was the agency to just act as an additional layer but the client still runs the show completely they can go anywhere (and IMHO should). More complex when there are employees and an actual company to run tho.<br><br>Thanks again,<br>P Hi Colleen -

You're definitely correct — if we're headed in the wrong direction from the planning stage it's a very bad sign. I would hope we all start with the best of intentions and the ethical issues get sticky when the human variables are thrown in. Then again that's probably me just being optimistic (is that possible?).

I also agree on the pushback issue. For smaller agencies I think this is particularly tough with large clients…boutiques and freelancers are a dime a dozen, if the client was the agency to just act as an additional layer but the client still runs the show completely they can go anywhere (and IMHO should). More complex when there are employees and an actual company to run tho.

Thanks again,
P

]]> By: TJ Dietderich http://prbreakfastclub.com/2009/09/03/there-are-ethics/comment-page-1/#comment-88 TJ Dietderich Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:11:37 +0000 http://prbreakfastclub.com/?p=167#comment-88 Good thoughts here, Cog. I think depending on your firm's focus, a flack can find himself answering to four or five different masters. For example, since I work with books, we have to maintain the author, the publishing house, the editorial team, our journo colleagues, our own company's reputation, and any number of people who were also involved in the book. You can try to make everyone happy but sometimes situations crop up where it is clear that someone's interests will not be met, and you have to decide who you have the most obligation toward. <br><br>It's complicated! Good thoughts here, Cog. I think depending on your firm's focus, a flack can find himself answering to four or five different masters. For example, since I work with books, we have to maintain the author, the publishing house, the editorial team, our journo colleagues, our own company's reputation, and any number of people who were also involved in the book. You can try to make everyone happy but sometimes situations crop up where it is clear that someone's interests will not be met, and you have to decide who you have the most obligation toward.

It's complicated!

]]> By: colleencampbell http://prbreakfastclub.com/2009/09/03/there-are-ethics/comment-page-1/#comment-83 colleencampbell Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:15:43 +0000 http://prbreakfastclub.com/?p=167#comment-83 Cog,<br>Great post! I appreciate you weighing-in. Your example about the reporter requesting comment is a good representation of the tough situations PR Pros find themselves facing each day. In my post, I was trying to address the services (some of which the PRSA referenced in its press release on ethics) and how misrepresenation online, pay-for-play, and the lack of transparency of some firms will hurt the PR industry long term (e.g. agency loses business b/c they refuse to post positive comments or attack a client's competition on blogs, industry forums or even worse provide fake reviews/commentary, etc. ). For me, it's more about where the public relations business model is heading with the implementation and execution of services that may be unethical (or anti-PR) to start with. Some PR pros feel that they can't (shouldn't) push back on clients in these tough times (they're paying us aren't they?) However, I find a PR Pro's "value add" often comes from educating, directing and when necessary pushing back on clients to make sure they get the outcome they want, while protecting their brand and our own reputations in the industry. Now is the time to instill lasting ethical and strategic communications practices that reinforces all that is good and necessary about our profession. Again, great post Cog! Lots of food for thought! :) I enjoyed meeting you h0neyB and Amanda when you were in DC! Cog,
Great post! I appreciate you weighing-in. Your example about the reporter requesting comment is a good representation of the tough situations PR Pros find themselves facing each day. In my post, I was trying to address the services (some of which the PRSA referenced in its press release on ethics) and how misrepresenation online, pay-for-play, and the lack of transparency of some firms will hurt the PR industry long term (e.g. agency loses business b/c they refuse to post positive comments or attack a client's competition on blogs, industry forums or even worse provide fake reviews/commentary, etc. ). For me, it's more about where the public relations business model is heading with the implementation and execution of services that may be unethical (or anti-PR) to start with. Some PR pros feel that they can't (shouldn't) push back on clients in these tough times (they're paying us aren't they?) However, I find a PR Pro's “value add” often comes from educating, directing and when necessary pushing back on clients to make sure they get the outcome they want, while protecting their brand and our own reputations in the industry. Now is the time to instill lasting ethical and strategic communications practices that reinforces all that is good and necessary about our profession. Again, great post Cog! Lots of food for thought! :) I enjoyed meeting you h0neyB and Amanda when you were in DC!

]]> By: @h0neyb http://prbreakfastclub.com/2009/09/03/there-are-ethics/comment-page-1/#comment-82 @h0neyb Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:54:38 +0000 http://prbreakfastclub.com/?p=167#comment-82 It was sure nice meeting y'all.. I think you did the right thing with client x.. It must be hard being the nice guy but still trying to please everyones wishes. If white lies don't kill anyone, I say "Cheers to White Lies!" It was sure nice meeting y'all.. I think you did the right thing with client x.. It must be hard being the nice guy but still trying to please everyones wishes. If white lies don't kill anyone, I say “Cheers to White Lies!”

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