An ethics lesson from an unlikely quarter

Read the following article: An ethics lesson from an unlikely quarter

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/00f04688-a43f-11dd-8104-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1

Post your answers by Wednesday, February 11th at 12pm.

1. Will Wal-Mart’s positive ethical stance force other corporations to do the same in spite of the current economical situation?
2. Should universal public morality be a priority for corporations in any economic situation? Why or why not?
3. Knowing what Wal-Mart has been accused of, do you believe Wal-Mart’s claim of upstanding ethics, or is Wal-Mart trying to smooth over its damaged reputation in light of the rising need for cheap Wal-Mart products?

Let's Talk Ethics at 11am!

ETHICAL DILEMMA
Sally works as an intern for a local advertising agency during her summer break from art school. She was working on a campaign for a weight loss drug that promises to control one’s metabolism and help you lose weight. Her role involved doing research on the product and the competition, and reporting the findings to the team.

As work continued on the campaign, Sally became concerned with the tactics the agency was implementing to help sell the weight loss drug to consumers. The agency was positioning the drug as one that would “help you lose 10 pounds in a week”. Due to her research role, Sally knew there was no evidence that this drug, or any drug for that matter, could make anyone lose 10 lbs. in a week.

Having studied ethics in school, she knew that one of the American Advertising Federation’s guidelines was “truth”: “advertising shall tell the truth, reveal significant facts, the omission of which would mislead the public”. Sally did not want to be associated with a campaign that would mislead consumers.

Sally brought up the AAF guidelines to her team, of which they were not concerned about stretching the truth. It was more important to them to make the client happy and keep the business.

QUESTION

How could self-regulation have been useful in such a situation?

Domino's, Subway Battle Heats Up

Read the following article: Domino's, Subway Battle Heats Up http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/client/e3icc0b0d908a93102267f811e8500c473c

To view the commercial, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnADo4h6vSo

Post your answers by Wednesday, February 4th at 12pm.

1. When Domino's president set fire to the cease and desist letter from Subway on national TV, was this simply a publicity stunt or did Domino's have an ethical obligation to defend its taste test results?
2. Subway has objections to the manner in which the taste test was conducted. In you opinion, based on Subway's objections, was the taste test ethical or did Domino's fudge the facts to get the results they wanted?
3. Both Domino's and Subway are getting publicity from this fight. Is the attention and increased business both companies get from such publicity ethical? Why or why not?

Tuesday Ethics Talk @ 11am

Welcome to our first online Advertising Ethics discussion of the semester!

To get started, read the following Ethical Dilemma and provide your ethical input...

ETHICAL DILEMMA
Bradley has just graduated with degree in Advertising and has been hired as an account manager at a large advertising agency. In talking with some of his new colleagues, he heard of a practice that concerned him.

Several account managers had an assignment to do some research on the competitor of one of the agency’s major clients. The account managers decided to conduct a telephone survey, but when they identified themselves as agency employees, important sources refused to participate in the study.

The deadline was quickly approaching, and the managers desperately needed the information. Then one of the managers, who had also recently graduated from university, suggested that they identify themselves as “university students who were doing research for a class project.”

This approach worked like a charm. Everyone was willing to help the “students” out, and the agency secured the important competitive information that it needed. The research was finished on time and within the budgeted cost. The client was immensely pleased.

Bradley is concerned about the manner in which the managers deceived the respondents, but he thinks that this might just be part of doing business. In addition, as the newest account manager, he does not want to rock the boat, and he very much wants to win the respect and acceptance of his new co-workers.

QUESTION

Do you consider the account managers behavior to be ethical or unethical?