INTEGRITY, CONFIDENTIALITY, honesty and fair play. Attributes, I’m sure, we in the marketing services industry would aspire to and claim to stand by — vigorously.
I wonder if our clients could claim the same.
That’s a bit harsh — I hear you cry, a bit close to the mark. You wouldn’t catch me saying that or even suggesting it of my clients. Better you than me.
Well, let me ask you this. When you present your creative ideas, your production methods and your budgets, can you put your hand on your heart afterwards and know for sure that they will not be plagiarised or, in the case of creative concepts, be taken and given to someone else to deliver at half the price? Sound familiar?
I ask because I have had more conversations than I can throw a stick at with industry colleagues who, in one way or another, complain about the loyalty and integrity of “clients” who do just that.
And what about those “clients” who call you up and ask you to start work, say, on some initial venue search and early ideas and costs; indicate you’re the only ones; drag it out for as long as they can, get really chatty and friendly and then cancel on you refusing to pay for your time or even the out-of-pocket costs incurred.
“Clients”! — you know who you are and we know who you are.
I guess this short rant at the back end of this fine publication will be just that — a rant.
And I don’t want to generalise because, of course, there are many clients out there who are good to their word.
We all know that strong relationships and repeat business are part of the solution as well as good due diligence, but it is an issue and one that is very prevalent in this part of the world.
Doesn’t it just piss you off!
