Telstra CEO Andy Penn says telco was wrong not to stick with support for same sex marriage
Telstra CEO Andy Penn has reversed the company’s controversial decision to withdraw public support for same sex marriage after pressure from the Catholic church, in a move that has acknowledged public outrage at the original decision.
Telstra had originally come out in support of same sex marriage along with dozens of other companies in an ad published by Australians for marriage equality before backing down last week following pressure from the church.
In an email to staff, Penn admitted there had been significant debate about Telstra’s stance but said that rather than stepping back from the debate, as he had told staff last week, Telstra should step forward.
“By renewing our active position, we acknowledge that we are at equal risk of inflaming a new debate, but it is the right thing to do,” he said.
“It also remains very important that we continue to recognise and respect the right of the individual to hold their own view on this issue.”
Telstra’s decision to back away from public support for marriage equality came after the church wrote to it and other organisations warning that they could lose business from entities associated with the church it they continued to support the movement publicly.
The revelation sparked a massive social media backlash with supporters of LGBTI rights saying they would move on from Telstra.
Optus-owned rival Virgin Mobile used Telstra’s stance as an excuse to offer a spot on a float in the Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras as a prize in its current PR campaign promoting data rollover.
“Does your telco support marriage equality? We do and we’re not afraid to say it. Today’s auction lot lets you shine bright like a diamond, Mardi Gras-style, with a spot on a fabulous parade float,” the telco said on Facebook.
The full text of Penn’s announcement:
There has been significant debate and commentary recently regarding Telstra’s position on marriage equality and we would like to address a number of concerns and misunderstandings.
Telstra supports diversity and inclusion. We have long advocated and often pioneered the fostering of a more supportive, diverse workplace in this country.
Telstra supports marriage equality. Last week we advised that out of respect for the individual our view had been that we would not add further to the debate on marriage equality ahead of a plebiscite or parliamentary debate. It is clear that rather than Telstra stepping back we should in fact step forward and support our view for marriage equality and so that is what we will do.
By renewing our active position, we acknowledge that we are at equal risk of inflaming a new debate but it is the right thing to do. It also remains very important that we continue to recognise and respect the right of the individual to hold their own view on this issue.
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Simon Canning
just one more epic PR f up from Telstra
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Someone forgot to read “religious extortion in 2016; for dummies”
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This is great. Good on you Mumbrella for reporting the issue. I am sure the commentary from you, Dan Ilic, other media companies and the general public would have helped Telstra see the light.
Good on Telstra for owning up to its mistake. Stepping forward is the only way we can see real social change.
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Perhaps Mr Penn will get a wind sock fitted to his office building for all future decisions.
That way he can see which way the wind is blowing and act accordingly.
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Business should always back the inevitable. And same-sex marriage is inevitable.
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Does anyone really give a shit what Telstra think on this issue in the first place.. Get your service sorted Penn, I couldn’t give a toss what you think about same sex marriage.. who asked you anyway!!
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As a marketer you need to park your personal views at the door and ask only one question: “what positive relevance is my brand going to gain by entering the debate on marriage equality” …..I struggle to find that answer for most of the companies involved in the campaign. The various PR/Marketing teams involved need to come up with a convincing argument fast… unless they think the Telstra backflip is a good look.
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@Tom G I’m with you. Quite why Telstra needs to have an opinion on the issue is beyond me. Trying to ride the rainbow for corporate advantage is shallow, trivialises the issue, and distracts from what a clusterfuck the company has become.
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Bowing to pressure from the religious lobby simply made Telstra look out of touch. Many of its shareholders and customers were willing to abandon it over the decision. It’s a good thing for the brand that they’ve finally come around, but a brand like ANZ which has been nothing but supportive all along comes out looking much stronger.
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Ok then – e-q-u-a-l-i-t-y
@Client (really…) read Sean Hall’s excellent article in the SMH.
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