Richard

Thank you for your courage. You are the only CEO of a global PR firm that has the guts to address this issue and call for reform.

You know, when I tell people what I do -- particularly those in the arts, in academia, in non-profit work -- I get this look, like "well, look at the guy who would sell his soul for an article in the New York Times." I have fought to make the argument that our profession is noble and is ethical and we can truly influence the public debate on key issues. Then an issue like this appears that cuts right to the heart of ethical practices and the silence from our industry leadership is deafening.

So far, I appear to be the only pr firm CEO to have withdrawn from the Council of Public Relations Firms in protest over this "trade group's" defense of one of its largest and most significant dues paying members. My colleagues and I see this as a defining moment for our firm and we are public with our convictions. There's plenty of room on my rock if someone wants to join me.

Elliot Sloane
CEO
Sloane & Compnay

Elliot,

I remember keenly the pain my father would endure each year on his birthday when local columnist Irv Kupcinet would congratulate him as publicist Dan Edelman. We have moved beyond this proimitive stage but we need to earn the respect each day. This most recent incident is a serious challenge to the industry and we cannot be silent.

Then which CEO/Director/Partner will be the one to say, "We were wrong." Aren't they naturally defending their business interests above those interests of a larger industry which at the moment aren't ominous as a NCLB fiasco? From reading Mr. Kotcher's op ed piece, he spends an enormous amount of white space discussing the "blurring" and how the PR industry should come front and center. I wholeheartedly agree with you Richard in absolute transparency and honesty in practicing public relations.

Ethics, unfortunately, needs to become a very large part of training and education for PR practitioners. This industry cannot afford to lose any more ground due to isolated PR blunders, many which plant themselves in the front page of national newspapers.

Disbarred lawyers are castigated by their bar associations. Doctors face stiff penalities from the medical board for impropriety. PR practitioners fade away until the dust settles. The PR industry needs one all-encompassing organization or board that demands the membership of all persons and organizations practicing PR. Clearly, accountability and lax enforcement of existing codes and guidelines have enabled a blase attitude in certain camps.

But, as Jay Rosen noted, we are silent. And, that's just wrong.

As I noted in an email to you the other day, now is the time for PR to stand up, and be a driving force on what is kosher in online media and VNRs and SMTs and other tools of the trade. We need to figure out where we want PR to go in the future, what our industry stands for.

Right now, it stands for silence.

The one cool thing was that I was the one link to your site :-) Okay, it's also sad and pathetic.

Hi Richard -- Remember me? I worked for Edelman in the NY office in the early 80s. Remember the K.R.U.M.S campaign for Ragu Pasta Meals -- Kids Reject Unappetizing Meals and Snacks? Anyhow, I'm just checking into the blogging scene. Not sure how it can positively influence my clients (I have my own one-man PR shop in Portland, Oregon).

Best,

Jack Rubinger

There's undoubtedly some color to the latest drama in that the corrupter was our own government on our dime, but where has been the industry during the last two decades, for example, when one of our most rapacious monopolies ever (Microsoft) abused the hell out of the computer industry with the help a PR outfit? Was directly helping a monopolist abuse its power for so long (as shown by voluminous court papers) any less repugnant? Microsoft would never have been able to do the damage it has done without the carefully crafted manipulation of the trade press on so many levels. Why the double standard?

FYI: PR companies "... fearing a derailment of the gravy train."

PR Pros Defend Government Contracts - Broadcasting & Cable
John Eggerton
January 19, 2005

PR companies fearing a derailment of the gravy train have weighed in on a proposed Senate investigation into government "public-relations contracts."

The investigation was prompted by the discovery that conservative TV and radio commentator and columnist Armstrong Williams had been paid $240,000 to promote the Bush administration's No Child Left Behind education policy in his commentaries.

In a statement, the Public Relations Society of America said it, too, was "disheartened" by the news of the pay-for-play deal, but took pains to try and distance it from government PR contracts in general.

"We are confident that this effort will find what we know to be the truth, that the daily practice of ethical public relations by government employees and the public relations agencies they work with represents a critical government function that serves both the government and its citizens by encouraging the free flow of information," said the PRSA in a statement.

Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) has called for an investigation into whether the Williams contract was illegal or unethical and whether there have been other contracts that resulted in overt propaganda. Separately, Senator Tom Harkin wants to introduce a bill requiring federal agencies to show thier ad budgets to Congress and to include notification in those ads that they are paid for with taxpayer dollars.

Steve,
The idea of a standards board is a good one. Self regulation is fine to a point. We need this kind of body with teeth.

Jeremy,

But, as noted, we are silent. And, that's just wrong.

As I noted in an email to you the other day, now is the time for PR to stand up, and be a driving force on what is kosher in online media and VNRs and SMTs and other tools of the trade. We need to figure out where we want PR to go in the future, what our industry stands for.

Right now, it stands for silence.

The one cool thing was that I was the one link to your site :-) Okay, it's also sad and pathetic.

Kontra,

This standard of no pay for play must apply to all clients whether government or private sector.

Jack,
My god I certainly do it was a great creative idea. Maybe we should revive the group. I am out your way end of feb and would love to see you.