FOI request causes outrage amoung Scottish PR industry
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request put into the Scottish Government requesting details of its PR tender has caused outrage amongst the Scottish industry.
The request is thought to centre around documents submitted by the six agencies which made it onto the PR roster, The Big Partnership, Consolidated, Barkers, Weber Shandwick, Stripe and Golley Slater North.
An industry insider explained that if the documents were released it would be commercially sensitive as they would include pricing by each agency, as well as ‘a wealth of proprietorial information’ around the operations of the agencies.
Said the insider: “It would be pretty galling for a rival agency, thanks to FOI, to simply download and plagiarise all this carefully honed copy. Especially so if they then couldn’t deliver on ‘their’ promises and the client is left with a sour taste whilst the reputation of the sector is tarnished.”
There is a belief from within the industry that the request has been placed by someone from an agency which failed to make it onto the roster.
The insider commented: “At the end of the day, the burning question is whether this is genuinely in the public interest or merely a question of sour grapes.”
The Drum has learned that if this is found to be true, the CIRP is considering what action will be taken against the agency in question.
A spokesperson for the Government, confirmed: “An FOI request has been received with regard to the PR category within the marketing services framework contract. If an FOI request is being considered, we cannot pre-empt the outcome in advance.”
They also confirmed that information released under FOI will be published on the Scottish Government’s disclosure log.
Commenting on behalf of CIPR Scotland, new chair Debbie Byers, said: “The CIPR has been in dialogue with the Scottish Government for a number of years regarding its procurement and reporting processes. The Government has established clear guidelines and procedures which all organisations must adhere to.
“This FOI request from an unknown party is an unusual approach given that all those who tendered had the opportunity to receive formal feedback at the time of the decision.”
Rumour has it that a similar request has been submitted in terms of the ATL roster.
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