The Ethical Optimist

I was distressed to wake up this morning to news reports of another ethical lapse by a high ranking, noted PR professional.  You know, the kind of guy that makes news.

According to the Associated Press “Mark Penn, a lightning rod for controversy throughout Clinton’s presidential campaign, left the campaign Sunday after it was disclosed he had met with representatives of the Colombian government to help promote the trade agreement.”

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Penn, who serves as chief executive of public relations giant Burson-Marsteller, met with Colombian officials March 31 to help craft strategy to move the Colombian free trade agreement through Congress. Clinton opposes such a deal, and Penn later issued a statement apologizing for the meeting, calling it an “error in judgment.”

No kidding.

According to Justice Department filings, Colombia agreed last year to pay Burson-Marsteller $300,000 to help “educate members of the U.S. Congress and other audiences” about the trade deal and secure continued U.S. funding for the $5 billion anti-narcotics program Plan Colombia.

Okay, so let me get this straight.  You’re stumping for a campaign that is anti-trade agreement.  At the same time, your firm (and you are CEO of said firm) is taking money to promote the trade agreement.

Hmmmm….and you realize late in the game that this is “an error in judgement.”

The Colombian government has since fired Burson-Marsteller.  So has the Clinton campaign.

You know, as one of many public relations professionals that strives to work ethically, I’m truly getting sick and tired of the big guys in our industry giving all of us a bad rap.

Here’s the kicker, Burson has had a longstanding marketing campaign to position itself as a leader in “reputation management.”  A case of the shoemaker’s child?

Just goes to show you, bigger ain’t always better. These guys have the resources to train and prevent this type of mistake, but heaven forbid they put their money where their mouth is.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…don’t talk the talk if you’re not gonna walk the walk.

The rest of us are sick of it.