Ethics for consumers

Amber Dossenback

ad413517@ohio.edu

Comforting the consumer

As a consumer, it is important to know you are cared for. Whether it is through products, messages, support, or silence, an organization must meet the desires of the consumer to be successful. According to a study on the role of trust in consumer relationships, emotional trust is needed between agencies and clients. This is further described as a confidence that develops by a customers feelings generated from the level of concern and care the organization generates. 

Codes that care

Organizations that include official codes to describe their ethical values make a clear attempt at reaching out to the people. Publicizing a code of ethics on behalf of an association sends an affirmative message to any consumer that they are being considered.

Value for relationships

After reading over the ethics codes for both the American Advertising Federation and the Public Relations Society of America, I have concluded that both organizations show that they genuinely value the relationship between themselves, and their consumers. Their guidelines for transparency and overall depth in descriptions of conduct/misconduct prove to aim in the best interests of the people. 

The AAF cares

The advertising ethics code reads that the federation was based on the premise that advertising, as well as other forms of communication, should always do what is right for the consumers. Priding your organization in doing so will create more business in the long run, leaving both parties satisfied. Principles in their code prove them to be held on high ethical standards. Of these principles there is a theme surrounding consumer privacy, fairness, and trust, leaving them with a feeling of comfortability towards the organization.

                                                              Picture source: Linkedin AAF

Transparency within the AAF

A principle of the AAF describes that trust with business partners should be built with transparency and full disclosure. The federation admits to failing in doing so in previous years, but has since made efforts to rebuild their reputation as a trustworthy agency. The implementation of of an additional transparency guide in 2016 shows extreme efforts toward international recognition.

The PRSA cares

The Public Relations Society of America provides honesty, accountability, loyalty, and disclosure to those they represent. Their codes of ethics describes specific examples of definite misconduct not to be tolerated within the members, giving clients a basic guide as to what would be unethical. This is a message they are confident in making ethical moves while handling business. 

Transparency within the PRSA

A provision within the PRSA code of ethics titled Enhancing the Profession outlines that members of the society must work consistently at strengthening the trust between themselves and the public. With a goal that aims to build trust for infinite time, no motives can be unethical. If the society of public relations holds themselves to this standard, they will continue to please the public.