How do you feel about companies that promote their charitable work? Do you think this is an ethical practice? Why? Why not?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
About Me
- Joni
- Currently pursuing an MA in Public Relations, I’ve enjoyed a 5 year communications career spanning a Miami-based PR agency, a full-scale marketing firm, a large university business school and a local Jamaican TV station. Energetic, thorough and creative, my skills include effective writing, event management and media relations. I previously attended Florida International University where I obtained a BSc. in Communications, with a specialization in PR and a minor in Travel and Tourism.
This one is truly a toughy. I personally have no problems with a company promoting their charitable work, from the standpoint that as a result their "charities" receive much needed attention as well. So it is win win. However in terms of ethics, its a bit questionable since the question will often arise, is this company just doing the charitable work for the attention, as opposed to truly for the cause? I guess it can go either way.
ReplyDeleteLike David, i too have no issue with a Company promoting its philanthropic efforts. It is a reality however that many view this as a way to promote the Business thereby negating the charitable act itself. I disagree with that.
ReplyDeleteMy view is that while a Company is not legally required to disclose its support of social programmes and charities, it just makes good business sense to highlight its social responsibility activities. I ask "Why not let the nation know your nation building efforts as it happens?"
I don't find it unethical...but it is a bit cheesy. Unless the company makes a direct appeal to others to aid said charity (raising awareness), I can think of no other solid reason why promoting your charity work is necessary...LOTS of private entities and corporations make large anonymous or unpublicized donations and contributions. Has no good come of those?
ReplyDeleteIf a kid gets a heart transplant in a forest and no one sees it? Does his heart beat?
!
Mr. Blackbird, I don't know if his heart beats, since I don't know he exists.
ReplyDeleteThe fact is perception is reality, a company is a nation builder only if we know it to be so. Is that cheezy, absolutely won't dispute that.
Is it ethical? Well that requires some fuzzy logic, because business and ethics are more often than not frosty lovers. Perhaps we have to instead, define Charity. If an act can only be charitable if its intent is selfless then perhaps it is unethicalto promote oneself while saving a life.
But, if the act itself though designed for self promotion does some good wouldn't the end justify the means in this particular instance.
YOU as the viewing public may not know his heart beats....but i bet the kid and his family sure do.
ReplyDeleteI think the point of the question is to discover the motive for letting US the public know what the company did for the kid and his family.
Now as previously stated...i don't think its unethical...I just don't see it necessaary to pretend its anything other than what it is.
A chance to do some good while making yourself look good.
Keep it real.
This is a double edged sword for me. On the one hand- I HATE when companies promote their charitable work. Yet on the other hand I tend to support businesses that I know give back to their country more so than businesses that don't. How do I know they give back? Because they promote it. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI guess it's the manner in which it is done. Flipping open a newspaper and seeing the General Manager of company X posing over a sick child in a hospital with a headline saying- "General Manager of Company X takes time out to visit sick children"....ugghh, I find that obnoxious.
Flipping open a newspaper and seeing a headline saying "Company X's donation to hospital is a well needed help in hard times" is more my style. It seems like less of an advertisement and more of a genuinely good deed.
Unethical? NO.
Potentially obnoxious? Absolutely
i think this is ethical there is nothing wrong with a company advertising their charities because as mentioned it brings attention to the charity. I don't like how their contributions are advertised, they are often pictured as guardian angels and use the opportunity to be soooo gracious seems a little fake at times like it's just for show and as it relates to Jamaica i don't like how only the 'name brand' charities get supported over and over again. There are many other places that need help.
ReplyDelete