Letters

In Tough Times, Gossip Swirls

This industry needs to take a hard look in the mirror.

When the times were good, people were too busy to be distracted by the gossip that flies around this business.

Now that times are tough, the ugly side comes out. Actually, I’m afraid it was always there, just further below the surface when we were distracted by healthy revenue and profits.

How does this ugly side manifest itself? Think about it.

How uncommon is it to witness celebration at the loss of an account from a respected competitor?

How uncommon is it to hear and pass on a rumor that ended up being nothing more than just that?

Let me give you an example of how ugly this industry can get.

At the end of last year, it was announced that Adidas had consolidated its worldwide business with the global network of TBWA, in con junction with 180 in Amsterdam.

Within days, people...