In addition to their article on the topic, PR Week’s podcast adds weight to the discussion of the Guardian’s new editorial code. Our chief exec Adrian Brady shares his views.
Archive for the ‘PR industry’ Category
No promos, no plugs. Adrian Brady discusses the Guardian’s PR crack down
August 11th, 2011 by Anthony
Draw the line at crime
August 5th, 2011 by Ben Powell
I’m gobsmacked by reports in PR Week that some in the PR industry have yet to turn down an invitation to improve Colonel Gaddafi’s image.
I know these are difficult financial times, but by adding Gaddafi to your portfolio is hardly going to be the jewel in the crown that has prospective clients banging down the door. Also, I’d question the longevity of such an account give the current situation in Libya!
Though seriously, why would any business in their right mind be happy to attempt to work with someone against whom the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity? In fact, any PR agency that is bonkers enough to take on the ‘account’ is likely to see an exodus of clients and staff not keen on the new addition to the portfolio.
Also, the damage to the reputation of the PR industry caused by any agency agreeing to work with Gaddafi could be huge.
Of course every legal business – including those that supply military hardware and tobacco products – has a right to communicate their offering, but dictators condemned by the worldwide community and having an international arrest warrant against them have frankly forfeited that right.
That leaves the thorny question of the regimes in Syria and Bahrain who have been attacking their citizens – should PR agencies be happy to represent them and promote their messages? In my mind eyes, yes they do. After all, they are Governments recognised by the international community and unless the legal situation changes have a right to communicate their messages to the wider world.
Nevertheless, agencies that do take on such accounts would have to carefully communicate their reasons why to clients and staff who would be within their rights to be dissatisfied with this situation.
However, with Gaddafi there is no ‘grey’ area for debate – for agencies it’s a straightforward no no.
Cannes you believe it?
July 1st, 2011 by Louisa
Myself, Vicky and Phil are officially old ( I know, a shocker). After a mammoth sojourn to the Cote d’Azure we are all feeling the pains of no sleep and beaucoup de vins. It’s an awful job but someone had to do it.
The jam packed schedule started the moment we hit the airport where we met with Gemma Greaves, Marketing Director of The Marketing Society to talk serious business (well more the best restaurants, parties and bars, it was imperative to visit).
After dumping our bags we hit the Croisette for a spot of steak tartare and bumped into no other than Tim Hipperson of G2. Vicky then had a meeting with MEC and Phil and I co-created probably our most glamorous comment piece ever (in terms of location) with Christoph Becker at Gyro. No rest for the wicked (and no planned nap) we headed off to the back of town to catch up with The Brand Union following their stupendous installation, The Big Book, which had pride of place at the foot of the Palais. And yes our photos could be found amongst the pages, much to our delight. Although we still haven’t forgiven Rankin for not recognising our photographic genius by failing to select them for the top 11 (eleven is the new ten, apparently). Never mind, we don’t hold a grudge (much).
Supper was a lovely affair at a beautiful garden terrace, where we spotted none other than Robert Redford – although on closer inspection, I suspect it wasn’t really him… although has anyone else noticed the distinct resemblance to John Hegarty???
And then to the Gala Party, followed by the Gutter Bar where they ran out of beer – outrageous. I think we crawled to bed at 5am.
Bright eyed and bushy tailed the next morning (going via a pharmacy for Phil, who managed to lose his voice the night before), we grabbed a coffee and awaited the arrival of another client, Alchemetrics. Given it was their first time at Cannes, the weeks previous we executed a campaign nattily entitled “Cannes You Find Us” through LinkedIn and Twitter. This culminated in a photo shoot by The Big Book, which challenged delegates to come and find us; the prize a free lunch. We were “found” but we promised not to reveal by whom – they don’t want anyone to know they like free lunches! (But it’s sooo tempting). After a long lunch in the old town we were joined by the lovely Caroline Barker at Momentum and Gemma from the Marketing Society, where the “after, after party” was conceived, brainstormed and agreed. Amuse bouches (not sure that’s the plural) were a key feature.
Caroline and I then went to her interview with Adforum.com and then had a wander around the amazing Japan exhibition, a collection of fundraising creative activated by adland in response to the earthquake. Here we spied Michael Roth and the Japanese Ambassador to France. On to The Big Book cocktail party where we entertained journalists from as far afield as Australia.
Again shunning a nap we hot footed it to the Campaign Party (sleep is for wimps) and hobnobbed with Phil Smith, Sara Kimberly, Jeremy King, Suzanne Bidlake amongst others. Without a doubt a fantastic event (although I probably would say that!), not least because I had my first paddle and met a super new business lead. On to supper and then another session a la Gutter alongside Momentum who had just finished organising one of the parties that everyone wanted a ticket for. So exclusive was it, even we didn’t get a pass (!!!). Then to Bed. Selflessly we had given up one of our rooms to the plight of a journalist so Vic and I shared a rediculously small bed – it’s a good job we like each other (and I think we still do, Vic?).
The following morning we sorted out our Shots tickets, caught up with a few more journalists, harassed Phil Smith, who happened to have the misfortune of staying in the same hotel, and then hung out on the Carlton Terrace to people watch. Then off to the Ogilvy party which had the most magnificent aerial acrobats amongst flowing cocktails and plentiful sausage rolls. Contentment is a party called Ogilvy. The battered mars bars were a big Eulogy! hit.
We then decamped to The Shots Party, which was absolutely heaving and at capacity by 12.30am. An apparent record. Big thanks go to Attilio and Hayley for looking after us so wonderfully.
And then because it’s the law, a stint back at the Gutter. Where the prices had magically increased by 7% on the night before. We are seriously in the wrong business.
Not only did we meet and spend time with some great people, but we also learnt masses too. Watching sessions such as the debate between Murdoch and Sir Sorrell were invaluable, not to mention listening to the controversy caused by Will.i.am’s exertion that “Ad agencies are yesterday”, innit.
Another festival over, but it was without a doubt the busiest I have seen in recent years and the mood exceptionally buoyant. If that’s anything to go by, hopefully the industry can look forward to a more positive year than last.
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