Discuss the GM or NFL cases, or other issues where the organization is involved with sustainability, social marketing or other “good works” that are in direct conflict with their actions.

The last 7 slides of the posted Presentation 4.0 deal with the issue of inconsistent corporate social responsibility efforts and organizational ethics. Slide 53 states, ”All the Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility efforts will be meaningless if your organization doesn’t have a strong sense of ethics and instills that ethical duty into all of its employees.” The presentation then provides some slides showing contrasting news stories of:

– GM’s social responsibility activities and public reports vs. its ultimate admission that it knew of its ignition switch problem years in advance and could have fixed it for less than $1 per car but chose not to.
– The NFL’s Breast Cancer Awareness campaign showing its commitment to women vs. the Ray Rice domestic violence story with its initial 2-game suspension even after it apparently had the video of his attach on his fiancé. (and only later dropped him after the video went viral and there was a public outcry).
– Nike’s decision to drop Ray Rice as a sponsor, but only after the Ravens dropped him. No initial public outcry from Nike or Pepsi or other NFL sponsors – they seemed to wait for the public reaction.

Discuss the GM or NFL cases, or other issues where the organization is involved with sustainability, social marketing or other “good works” that are in direct conflict with their actions. Some things to consider:

– Is CSR just for show?
– Are there any organizations that practice what they preach?
– What would you have done if you were the head of Global
Strategic Communications for any of these organizations?
– How would you combat those inside the organization who put financial interests ahead of credibility and reputation?

Book: The Handbook of Strategic Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications (2nd edition) by; Clarke Caywood