The papers have been full of reports about "Jobless Paddy", the unemployed 26 year old from Galway who reportedly spent €2,000; the last of his savings, to fund a billboard proclaiming his desire to find a job. His efforts have paid off; as he has since been offered employment by Paddy Power. Féilim Mac An Iomaire is set to join the company's Marketing and Communications Department at their Dublin headquarters.
This morning in the MDP's weekly management meeting it was reported by several advisors that the whole case was orchestrated by Paddy Power.
What do you think? Is this one step too far for Paddy Power? In a country with such a high unemployment rate (approx. 14.7%) should they have toyed with the public regarding this ensitive matter?
In a question of ethics...how far is too far?
Aislinn
After doing a bit of research after this morning’s discussion, there is no evidence in the media that this was orchestrated. If it was, I would be very surprised that the company have managed to keep it under wraps. A story like this would cause consternation, and provide a playground for the media. How could we learn more and access some insider information?
ReplyDeleteI really don't think the job was orchestrated. When I looked into this further, they swore that it was above board. If it was a P.R stunt I would have to say fair play to them, as unethical as it is ( if true) you have to give them credit for being creative...
ReplyDeleteWithout knowing for sure it's hard to comment. If the whole thing is genuine, then it's great to hear that he has employment now, and he seems to really fit the Paddy Power brand so well done to him! It proves that there's employment out there for creative people with initiative.
ReplyDeleteIf the rumours about PP's involvement turn out to be true, I think it was a terrible move on their part. The company has done well out of pushing boundaries and stirring controversy, but taking advantage of the thousands of jobless in the country is a step too far and could alienate customers.
If this is a publicity stunt by Paddy Power, it would hardly be in the best interests of the print media to expose this as Paddy Power are clients of the big 7 papers. While this leads to other questions surrounding the integrity of the media, it is not an issue to be covered here.
ReplyDeleteShould this prove to be a campaign by Paddy Power, it denotes a shift away from the previous image of a company poking fun at tradition and large organisations. Paddy Power have gotten themselves in hot water over their behaviour at CHeltenhama as well as at golfing events. This has always been at the expense of the establishment and not the average Joe.
If this proves to have been orchestrated by Paddy Power, it is at the expense of their customers. The victim is not a faceless establishment but the thousands of unemployed who this (campaign) ridicules.
Hopefully, it is just a lucky Irish lad with a bit of ingenuity and ambition, if not, Paddy Power are on thin ice, messing with its customer.
I don't believe that this is really a matter of ethics, but more so of taste. While I understand that this can be a sensitive subject for many people in today's difficult economic environment, it is not necessarily unethical. If it is proven that this was in fact a PP sponsored stunt there are many ways one could spin this from a PR point of view. For example, it could be said that this is suppose to reflect an economy where thinking out side the box is rewarded and those who are willing to go beyond the norm and really show they want a job will find employment. I therefore don't necessarily believe it to be a matter of ethics but more so of taste, opinion and perspective.
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