When PR goes rogue, everyone loses
The Bell Pottinger scandal might be more than a cautionary tale. It has the potential to ruin the reputation of the entire PR industry, argues Wilkinson Group director Peter Wilkinson.
The Bell Pottinger catastrophe is a harsh reminder of the value of values.
The British firm, co-founded by Lord Tim Bell, to whom the New York Times attributes the phrase: “Morality is for priests… not PR men,” has now collapsed with all 250 staff laid-off, following a crisis of their creation in South Africa.
Never was the saying “if you lie with dogs, you get fleas” more apt.
Indeed. Good reason for the industry in Australia to join forces under our industry association’s code of ethics. The PRCA in the UK was able to kick this firm out, exposing the story to the wide audience it deserved.