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They Should be Ashamed of Themselves...Bribing the Press is Wrong
October 26, 2005

A recent "survey" by DeVries Public Relations to beauty editors was nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to bribe publications to favorably cover their clients. In a lame attempt to hide its real intent, DeVries offered these editors and reporters free iPods and other expensive gifts...to pay them for coverage. In an era where we all have the responsibility to act with the highest ethical standards and increase the transparency of our work, this action shows that our profession still has a long way to go. Frankly, true public relations professionals know how to get a story placed without having to resort to these tactics.

This type of unethical behavior hurts our entire profession and perpetuates the stereotype of PR people as "spinmasters" who will do anything...ethical or not...to get coverage.

More information is available here at O'Dwyer's, including comments from the managing director of DeVries' beauty practice.

Posted by Michael Kempner at October 26, 2005 10:36 AM