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Lottery Frame Radley Yeldar

VoxPop - What is the best way to deal with unfounded gossip?

By The Drum, Administrator

October 31, 2008 | 5 min read

MARK JENNINGS, MD, UNCO

“I generally believe that the good will out in this kind of situation. There is a temptation to shout the truth from the roof tops but this can backfire and look over the top, remember that hilarious ad that Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford took out in the Times years ago saying that they were ‘heterosexual, monogamous and in love’. It is a question of scale I guess – if we were talking a Bernard Matthews PR disaster on the horizon because of rumour then I would be banging the drum.”

IAN MCATEER, GROUP CHAIRMAN, THE UNION

“When we started The Union our first year of trading was tough and we were subjected to many nasty rumours. A clear and straightforward statement of the facts is always the best medicine. However, it is important to consider that in any insolvency there can be victims and this is why rumours are passed on. It is not necessarily malicious, it can simply be friends or colleagues passing on information on a ‘be aware’ basis. I think the more pertinent question in this case is who started the rumour, on what basis and why?”

GRAEME ATHA, CHAIRMAN , FRAME

“Gossip is one of the more unfortunate aspects of our industry. To deny or ignore it would be to act like King Kanute. As the consequences could have an effect on client confidence and staff morale it is important to act. Prepare a statement to be used with the press, clients and staff stating the facts and inviting any questions; Always stay close enough to your clients and staff that they would know the truth anyway; Try and maintain open and honest relationships and never do anything that might start a rumour in the first place.”

LYNDSAY MENZIES, MD, BIGMOUTH MEDIA

“Gossip is inevitable in media, and if your agency is successful then sooner or later somebody (probably a competitor) is going to have a pop at you. If what they’re saying is just scurrilous nonsense then it would be a mistake to dignify it with a response. Getting involved in silly slanging matches is demeaning to both your company and your clients. If they’ve really overstepped the mark then obviously you should consult your lawyers, but I’d far rather avoid wasting my time responding to half-truths and nonsense.”

STEVE BYRNE, THE GATE FILMS

“Times like these you find there’s always plenty of gossip queens plying their wares. If we were to believe everything we’ve heard recently then some of the biggest agencies in town are teetering over the edge. It’s all bollocks and conjecture though isn’t it. In our experience the people who’ve got time to indulge in rumour are the ones who haven’t got a lot of work on. Much better to let the work you’re producing speak for itself.”

MIKE LYNCH, MD SCOTLAND, RADLEY YELDAR LTD

“You can ignore it, which human nature makes very difficult. You can tackle it publicly via the media and deny, deny, deny, but then the old ‘he denies too much’ scenario surfaces. Or you can keep quiet and take the legal approach (if you know the culprit(s)) and get resolution personally but not necessarily publicly. Either way, it’s difficult as, loathe as I am to trot out a cliché or two, there’s no smoke without fire and mud sticks.”

CLAIRE HELM, DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING, TAYLOR O’BRIEN

“It depends on the gossip, but if it’s unfounded and you feel that it’s not potentially damaging to the agency’s reputation then keep focused on doing what you do best, and ensure that you are always delivering brilliant work, at an economical rate with excellent client care. If you keep your integrity as an agency the gossip will look exactly as it is. It’s a tricky subject because if you react, this could in some instances make things worse and put you on the defensive. There will, of course, always be exceptions to this when a pro-active response can be considered.”

TED RODGER, MD, FPP BRAND COMMUNICATIONS

“Deal with gossip by ignoring it. If something is untrue and unfounded the people who matter to your agency will know. It will be easy to clear your agency’s good name should it become necessary to do so. But it won’t. Agencies that are the source of the gossip may be struggling to win and retain clients – just like in the school yard, gossip demonstrates little but insecurity. Don’t engage, ignore it. Get on with being successful.”

TONY STANTON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, AN AGENCY CALLED ENGLAND

“Unless it is particularly damaging then ignore it – this industry is full of tittle tattle. But if you think it will have some long term effect on your reputation, then deal with it. Firstly, make sure your staff and clients know that the gossip is just that. Then get some positive PR about yourself in the trade and regional press, but don’t legitimise the gossip and rumour by countering it directly externally. It only perpetuates the lie. And develop thicker skin.”

NICK RAMSHAW, MD, ELMWOOD LEEDS

“To start with, always do the right thing. Do this and you are much less likely to suffer at the hands of the gossips. If it does happen, be clear, be quick and be honest. If you have nothing to hide, prove it and the stories will disappear just as quickly as they appeared in the first place. But if you do have something to hide...”

Lottery Frame Radley Yeldar

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