http://blogs.reuters.com/mediafile/2009/02/06/kellogg-drops-phelps-after-photos/
As many of you have probably already heard this week, Michael Phelps was dropped by Kellogg as his sponsor because his actions were "inconsistent" with their company image.
Most people did not think Phelps deserved to lose any of his sponsors over this ordeal. Most believed that after his public apology, it should have ended there. Yet, many parents demanded that a tougher punishment be given to him so that their children would see that no matter how famous you are, there are still consequences for your actions.
Speedo, Omega watches, Visa, Subway, and many other sponsors kept their deals with Phelps after his apology. Kellogg however, was the only one to end their deal. It is nice to see a company take a responsible position and respond to the demands of the few parents who were still angry with Phelps. I don't believe that they are sending the right message about forgiveness though. Someone should not be persecuted even after they have publicly apologized for their actions.
Besides, believing that one photo can make your child begin to smoke pot is ridiculous. Parents should feel confident that they've taught their children to think for themselves and not be so easily influenced. This entire event can be best summarized by SNL's weekend update skit from this past weekend.
http://www.videosift.com/video/Really-With-Seth-Meyers-SNL-Mike-Phelps-Kellog-Situation
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The beginning of your comment on Kellogg dropping Phelps has the term inconsistent in quotations, which right off the bat hints at the fact that you do not agree with Kellogg's position. Interesting, to say the least, since you chose the subject to post on your blog on corporate social responsibility.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that several other big corporations kept their sponsorship speaks more of corporate greed than sympathy or forgiveness. Those companies' executives probably believe they can still live with Phelps so-called apology and continue having their brands grow in popularity with Phelps' image.
Additionally, the choice of the word persecution hardly paints the picture of an athlete who enjoys celebrity status and makes a huge amount of money on endorsements and has the whole world praising him as an athletic phenomenon. To whom much is given, much is required: Phelps should have known better - when you gain that kind of notoriety, you immediately take on the role of someone of prominence and who people will look up to; in other words, at that point you no longer have the "luxury" of behaving as though no one's looking.
You claim someone should not be persecuted after they apologize - Phelps is not repentant for his actions, he simply feels sorry for himself that he got caught. Please do not confuse heartfelt repentance with regret for unwanted consequences.
In summary, here we have a blogger who comments on the subject of social corporate responsibility, states at one point in the text that a company is being corporate responsible, but goes on to write many paragraphs to disagree with the company's position, dismissing it as overzealous and unforgiving, now that friends, is...inconsistent (no quotes).
I think that Phelps really did a big mistake as an professional athletic.... but someone is doing much more on him now. if TV don't have more to talk about, it can help them on crisis time to be seeing by a huge audience. I hope that he and others can learn something on this and keep walking to be a better person and professional. About Kellogg I think this is a good time to know better the ones that can help when mistakes are done. We do not have to allow with something that is wrong but, at least we can forgive and give a new chance.
ReplyDeleteWell I beleive that Yes the parents should have taught their children the meaning of forgiveness. But I also beleive that Kellogg probably had another good reason to not sponser him, that maybe we do not know about. I understand why the parents are making this big deal, I mean it IS their kids learning. But if anything they should teach about forgiveness, and for Phelps, I hope he learned his lesson and starts behaving like a responsible person.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments, I am glad that you have some strong opinions about this case.
ReplyDeleteWhat I was aiming for, which we discussed in class this tuesday, is that not all corporations are genuine when trying to appear socially responsible. Kellogg's reaction is simply that of a corporation trying to please its target market.
The article below basically represents many opinion polls about this situation. 42% percent of American have at one point smoked pot. I am not one of them. I am part of the larger percentage that does not take offense against people that do. The article also discusses how this decision will negatively impact the company's image.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/kellogg-should-not-have-f_b_165091.html
My point is that Kellogg is disguising their decision as corporate social responsibility. The majority of society has spoken and this decision does not coincide with them. You cannot have CSR without the social component.
As for Michael Phelps, I don't disagree that he is sorry that he got caught. He is an athletic phenomenon who because of the long hours he spent training, did not get to live out a normal childhood. He's earned the right to enjoy himself after becomming the greatest olympian of all time.
In summary, before jumping to conclusions about how one post contradicts the title of the blog, ask yourself why it must have been written. Focus less on trying to ridicule someone's writing style and more toward creating a constructive dialogue.