Current ethical dilemma:
Accidentally getting inside information
March 2008
You are an executive working for an advertising agency which is competing with other agencies in order to secure a lucrative and major account.
It appears that an error was made by a temporary staff member working for your chief competitor. This company's plans for securing this account were delivered to the wrong place and ultimately fell into your hands.
As a result you know your competitor's plans, both creative and financial, and it seems unlikely that your competitor realises that you have seen them.
You have heard rumours that because of previous poor management the rival firm is on the brink of bankruptcy and it will only survive if it gets the new account. The agency has around 40 permanent staff members, some of whom are friends of yours.
On the other hand the agency has a superb concept for the campaign which you could undoubtedly modify to secure the account for your agency.
Ethical questions:
- What are the issues?
- Who are the stakeholders?
- What should you do?
- What would you do?
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