- Title: British PR body expels Bell Pottinger over S.Africa campaign
- Date: 4th September 2017
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 4, 2017) (REUTERS) PRCA PLAQUES ON BOOKSHELF SIGN READING (English): "PRCA ETHICAL CHAMPIONS" DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE PRCA, FRANCIS INGHAM, SPEAKING DURING INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE PRCA, FRANCIS INGHAM, SAYING: "Well the PRCA expelled Bell Pottinger today because of a completely unethical and unprofessional work in South Africa for the Oakbay Capital account. It's the worst work I've ever seen, and I've been representing the PRCA for 10 years. I've seen nothing worse than it. And therefore we took the ultimate sanction of expelling them immediately and saying if they wish to re-apply for membership, they can't do so for at least five years." CLOSE-UP OF INGHAM'S FACE (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE PRCA, FRANCIS INGHAM, SAYING: "The view of our board, the view of the PRCA board, was that Bell Pottinger's actions were deliberately intended to create exactly the result that they did -- stirring up racial hatred in a very sensitive area of the world, and that's why we've expelled them." VARIOUS OF PRCA PLAQUE AND SIGN (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE PRCA, FRANCIS INGHAM, SAYING: "The reputational damage to Bell Pottinger from this work is enormous. I'm very clear in that expelling them today makes the damage even more considerable. I think it will be very hard for any company to come back from this. And I certainly know that in five years time if Bell Pottinger reapplies to join the PRCA, we will be scrutinising that application with more seriousness than we've ever deployed in the past." LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (RECENT - AUGUST 18, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM BELL POTTINGER VARIOUS OF MEMBERS OF DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE ABROAD CHANTING AND HOLDING SOUTH AFRICAN FLAG DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE LOGO ON T-SHIRT
- Embargoed: 18th September 2017 21:15
- Keywords: public relations racial tensions politics Public Relations and Communications Association publicity campaign Bell Pottinger Gupta family Democratic Alliance ruling
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016X6MJWN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Bell Pottinger, one of Britain's best-known PR agencies, was expelled from the industry's trade association on Monday (September 4) over a campaign adjudged to have deliberately stoked racial tensions in South Africa.
"The view of our board, the view of the PRCA board, was that Bell Pottinger's actions were deliberately intended to create exactly the result that they did -- stirring up racial hatred in a very sensitive area of the world, and that's why we've expelled them," Ingham, Director General of the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), told Reuters.
The association found that it had backed a campaign that played on still-sensitive race relations in the country in support of President Jacob Zuma and his ruling party. The expulsion was for a minimum of five years, after which the firm could reapply - the harshest sanction possible.
In a statement, Bell Pottinger said it accepted there were lessons to be learned, but disputed "the basis on which the ruling was made". It said it would continue to abide by the PRCA's code of ethics.
Bell Pottinger is no stranger to controversy, with clients including Syrian first lady Asma al-Assad and the Pinochet Foundation, which promotes the legacy of the former Chilean dictator. But this most recent scandal has prompted two clients to drop the company, its CEO to resign and the dismissal or suspension of four members of staff. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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