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.
