Public relations Archives - Public Relations, Advertising & Social Media

Uber’s unethical behavior

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Taylor Kennedy

Since it is PRSA’s Ethics Month, I thought I’d share an example of how a national company violated its business ethics.

Uber, the mobile app that instantly connects customers with drivers, knows how to use aggressive tactics (while taking it too far) against its competitor Lyft. According to CNN, since 2013, Uber employees ordered and then cancelled 5,000 Lyft rides, forcing customers to subsequently use Uber’s services. This not only hinders the company but hurts Lyft drivers’ income and time.

Also, in the same article by CNN, Uber employees in New York are being told it’s against city regulations to work for both companies, even receiving text messages forbidding the action. However, according to the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission, this is false.

Whether you’re a part of a startup or a company with a net worth of $3 billion, one of the first things that needs addressing is providing your employees (and management, in this case) with a compliance/ethics training program. That’s because your credibility is directly tied to your ethics.

Ethics Month

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Brian Lee

This year, I’m serving as the PRSA liaison to the Board of Ethics and Professional Standards (BEPS). September is Ethics Month, and as part of the long lineup of activities, I co-hosted a #RaganChat on the topic.

Here’s a transcript of my answers:

Q1 @CaptBNL @KirkHazlett: Why are ethics important to the public relations industry? #RaganChat

A1 We at @PRSA believe the success of the PR profession relies on the ethics of its practitioners. #RaganChat

Q2 @CaptBNL @KirkHazlett: How have PRSA ethics guidelines changed throughout the years? #RaganChat

A2 @PRSA ethics guidelines evolved from enforcement to inspiration. U r in charge of ur “ethical destiny” #RaganChat

Q3 @CaptBNL @KirkHazlett: What are some common ethics violations PR pros have committed, and how has it affected them? #RaganChat

A3 I’ll answer it this way: some big issues today are native advertising, sponsored content, use of interns and social media. #RaganChat

Q4 @CaptBNL @KirkHazlett: What should PR pros be aware of re: native advertising, “pay to play” campaigns and “influencer” marketing? #RaganChat

A4 Disclosure is crucial! Here’s an Ethical Standards Advisory on the topic: http://www.prsa.org/AboutPRSA/Ethics/EthicalStandardsAdvisories/Documents/PSA-09.pdf #RaganChat

Q5 @CaptBNL @KirkHazlett: Where’s the line for a conflict of interest, and how can PR pros avoid them? #RaganChat

A5 Again, disclosure is key, in this case to avoid conflicts of interest and even *perceived* conflicts of interest. #RaganChat

Q6 @CaptBNL @KirkHazlett: What are the guidelines for reporting unethical behavior? How can one avoid “looking the other way?” #RaganChat

A6 Please report to @PRSA’s BEPS group. beps [at] prsa [dot] org. #RaganChat

Q7 @CaptBNL @KirkHazlett: What should PR pros keep in mind when using images or videos in brand campaigns? #RaganChat

A7 Always seek approval in using images and videos. When in doubt, don’t use it. #RaganChat

Q8 @CaptBNL @KirkHazlett: What is a “phantom experience,” what can it do to reputations, and how can PR pros avoid it? #RaganChat

A8 Phantom experiences will give u a new rep, and it won’t be a good one. Find outside sources that can corroborate your story. #RaganChat

Timing is everything

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Brian Lee

PR practitioners should revise the old real estate expression about the three things that matter in property: “location, location, location” to three things that matter in public relations: “timing, timing, timing.”

As seen in a recent article in PR News, St. Baldrick’s Foundation used its relationship with its agency partner, FleishmanHillard, to pitch a targeted story that ended up landing the organization on NBC’s The Today Show.

Knowing St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s message would resonate better on television than print, FH targeted their message accordingly. In FH’s research, it found out “The Today Show” was doing a week-long segment in which people were trying to break Guinness World Records. Subsequently, FH developed a pitch in which St. Baldrick’s would try to attempt to break the record for the most heads shaved in an hour, being broadcast live on TV.

The segment was extremely successful, earning more than 20 million media impressions and raising almost $36,000 for the foundation.

St. Baldrick’s pitch to “The Today Show” was the right idea at the right time. This is just one example of how timing is extremely important in this industry. If you get it right, you can reap many benefits.