Question re: Ethics

FrankLP* wrote on 1/17/2006, 1:01 PM
Is it ethical to do TV Ads for competing companies? Example: I have done a TV ad for Biz A and Biz B (A's competitor) saw the ad, liked it and has asked me to do several ads for them as well.

Is there a common approach to take here (i.e. disclosure, refusal, no action, etc)? Any comments/questions are welcome. Thanks all
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Comments

Chienworks wrote on 1/17/2006, 1:06 PM
As long as you don't use something that is the property of Company A, and don't disclose any confidential information from them while working with Company B, i can't see why there would be any problem in the slightest. Many vendors service competing companies all the time.

I suppose if you signed a contract with A giving them exclusive access to your services then you might be stuck. I can't imagine why you would sign such a contract though unless they paid you enough to retire after that job. ;)
FrankLP* wrote on 1/17/2006, 1:19 PM
Thanks Chienworks. Yeah...no exclusive contract here! I appreciate the input.

I just wasn't sure if the Marketing/Advertising Companies approached this differently than other service sectors in business.

Thanks again for the quick response.
Former user wrote on 1/17/2006, 1:26 PM
It is not unethical, but be prepared to lose the first client if they find out about the second. The second client liked the work you did for the first, and I am sure the first was very happy as well. IF they think you are taking the experience you got from doing their project and applying it to the second client's project, they might get very upset.

Just my opinion.

Dave T2
winrockpost wrote on 1/17/2006, 1:38 PM
I'd make sure the creative was completely different, not even remotely similar.
Spot|DSE wrote on 1/17/2006, 1:51 PM
I'd agree with Dave and Winrock (and Kelly too) from the perspective of what is "ethical" and what is prudent are two different things. Of course it's ethical unless an agreement exists, but is it prudent to upset one of your other clients?
Were it me, I'd go to the first client and explain the situation, telling them that you'd like their blessing, but don't want to have anyone feeling like something was amiss about how the second opportunity came along. Unless, the relationship with the first company doesn't matter much to you...then it likely isn't important to tell them what you're planning on doing.
FrankLP* wrote on 1/17/2006, 2:26 PM
Wow...great input from you all! Although I've been in business management for the past 12+ years (as a Purchasing Manager), and have been very adherent to proper business ethics, I truly wasn't certain if any "standard protocols" existed in this (Marketing/Advertising) segment of business (I’m relatively new at this…only 2+ years now).

All your suggestions reflect using good common business judgment and practice. This really helps me out. Thanks again to all of you for your insight and timely response!
Spot|DSE wrote on 1/17/2006, 2:29 PM
Frank, it's honestly nice to see someone asking about ethics. Both myself and my business suffered last year due to an unethical person, and I've watched many situations unfold recently in the video industry where one manufacterer knew this or that, and took advantage over that or this, and other unsavory circumstances. It's left me feeling like there aren't very many folks with ethics in this newly-growing video world. IMO, there are few things worse than the "every man for himself" attitude.