In its continuing Deep Horizon crisis communications effort, BP now claims that it acted in a fully responsible manner. With a horrid combination of PR statements and ads, the oil company tries to maintain its dignity citing flawed efforts (we tried!). Instead BP has destroyed any remaining trust the public had in the organization.
This company has quickly become 2010’s worst corporate citizen, and it will be hard for anyone to beat them in the year’s remaining seven months (much less the decade). As the bard said, the company doth protest too much. Let’s look at what the mounting evidence reveals:
- BP puts incredible focus on Top Kill as a resolution and the EPA communicates its working while BP suspends the effort for 16 hours without telling the public because the procedure is actually failing. Federal government leadership was not notified.
- Claims of 5,000 barrels per day leaked by BP have been systematically dismissed by federal authorities as dramatically “underestimated.” Scientists estimate a 12,000-19,000 barrel rate as more accurate, easily placing Deep Horizon as the worst oil spill in global history.
- The oil company claimed it would be responsible for cleanup, but as this LA dead marsh video by Anderson Cooper reveals, BP failed to even show up.
- The New York Times reported that BP intentionally opted for a riskier cheaper casing for the well several days before the explosion. Responsibility includes understanding you get what you pay for.
- Fisherman hired to clean up the oil spill were not given protective clothing and are now becoming sick.
- As if the oil spill is not enough, the dispersants that BP have used — in spite of the EPA’s requests to stop — have further ravaged the extremely endangered Gulf wild life.
- CBS reporters trying to report on the crisis were threatened under threat of arrest by BP contractors.
- On and on, ad infinitum…
BP claims responsibility. The ethical failure in its actions cannot be dubbed socially responsible. Far from it. These corporate executives are demonstrative of some of the worst villainous behavior we have seen in decades.
The federal government maintains it has its boot on BP’s neck. It’s clear that since Obama has become personally involved — one month after the fact — the federal government is acting more responsibly, suspending further off shore drilling, etc. However, it’s not enough. It’s time to take the guillotine to BP’s neck, and file criminal proceedings against some of the world’s most despicable corporate citizens.
Pingback:SharonBasel (Sharon Basel)
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RT @GeoffLiving: New Blog Post: BP: 2010’s Most Irresponsible Corporate Citizen [link to post]
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Pingback:HeidiEKMassey (Heidi Massey)
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RT @geoffliving: I couldn’t wait after the continuing news. BP: 2010’s Most Irresponsible Corp Citizen [link to post] /Hat’s off 2u!
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Pingback:HeidiEKMassey (Heidi Massey)
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RT @geoffliving: BP: 2010’s Most Irresponsible Corporate Citizen [link to post] <=POWERFUL!!! – Posted using Chat Catcher
Pingback:HeidiEKMassey (Heidi Massey)
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RT @geoffliving: P: 2010’s Most Irresponsible Corporate Citizen [link to post] //This deserves wide circulation friends…have at it!
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Geoff,
Thanks for a powerful post that cites real data and puts this entire crisis in perspective. Hard to believe that there is anyone that, after reading your post, won’t be alarmed and pay closer attention to this issue.
I salute you for taking the time to write this thoughtful piece.
Pingback:BarbaraKB (Barbara Baker)
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Amen! @geoffliving: Stop talking SM & iPads. What matters: BP – 2010’s Most Irresponsible Corporate Citizen [link to post]
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Pingback:askdebra (Debra Askanase)
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RT @jeffwiedner: Talk abt what matters: BP-2010’s Most Irresponsible Corp Citizen [link to post] via @geoffliving #oilspill
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Pingback:HeidiEKMassey (Heidi Massey)
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RT @geoffliving: Most PR bloggers still talking soc med & iPad. What matters: BP-2010’s Most Irresponsible Corp Citizen [link to post]
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Pingback:jeffwiedner (Jeff Wiedner)
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Talk abt what matters: BP-2010’s Most Irresponsible Corp Citizen [link to post] via @geoffliving #oilspill
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Pingback:HeidiEKMassey (Heidi Massey)
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@geoffliving I DON’T do #FF Just clogs twitter stream-u officially r my twitter hero today! Yr post/tweets on BP ROCKS! http://bit.ly/9ayPdM
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Watching this story unfold is frustrating, heartbreaking and points to just how helpless we are. In a big weather disaster, we know Red Cross and other orgs will be there and that we as individuals can donate or volunteer to help recovery efforts.
But in this situation, what can the individual do? Are there any clear paths people could take to help? I’ve heard of donating hair or a small mention of an oil relief fund, but wouldn’t feel confident a donation would really help this situation. The lack of constructive avenues for our concern will only continue to fuel the collective frustration, especially as the news worsens.
Maybe the best thing that can happen for future policy is to let the outrage continue to mount. Thanks for adding a little more fuel to the fire.
Pingback:meganstrand (Megan Strand)
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RT @3BLMedia: #BP: 2010’s Most Irresponsible Corporate Citizen [link to post] (thanks @HeidiEKMassey!)
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Pingback:sharrypdx (sharrypdx)
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Rt @meganstrand: RT @3BLMedia: #BP: 2010’s Most Irresponsible Corporate Citizen [link to post]
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Pingback:3blmedia (3BL Media)
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#BP: 2010’s Most Irresponsible Corporate Citizen [link to post] (thanks @HeidiEKMassey!)
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Pingback:HeidiEKMassey (Heidi Massey)
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@3BLMedia I yelled at him yesterday b/c I was SOO frustrated w/PR community….that’s why I wrote my post…
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Pingback:HeidiEKMassey (Heidi Massey)
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@3BLMedia Thanks…amazing post, isn’t it?
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Pingback:3blmedia (3BL Media)
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@HeidiEKMassey This should, if anything, place a greater spotlight on the business malfeasance many of these #Oil Corps dabble in.
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Pingback:HeidiEKMassey (Heidi Massey)
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@3BLMedia From your mouth to God’s ears!!! Oil companies and SO many others!!!
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Sara: I would argue that BP is responsible for cleaning up, but the frustrating thing is now citizens are left wondering if they will, and how we can help. It’s unfortunate that BP’s lack of responsibility in the situation has created the need for citizen action, but I think it’s a good point to. So next week, will do a little write up on SM ways people can help out.
Geoff,
I am appreciating your “citizen reporting” of this issue, all of your links and comments have been very helpful as frankly, I can’t bear to watch the TV coverage or do much more than look at the pix. It is too depressing.
I’d like to know which lame PR firm is responsible for aiding BP. Too often we let the flacks get off the hook. I see this all the time in my biz: competing against firms that have one or two “socially responsible” clients, while the rest are “the bad guys”…like BP, tobacco, formaldehyde, BPA, chemical lobby, et al…
Marketing, communications, and PR professionals have an ethical duty to ask the tough questions INTERNALLY before “a line” is sold to the public.
I have to admit, Lynne, this smells like the lawyers are in charge…
And I would say Lynne, that given the times we are in and the popularity of the term, the lawyers and the PR/Marketing folks are collaborating to protect BP and it’s image…just wish the company would put as much effort into protecting the planet! However, you and Geoff give me hope that there are some good people willing to stand up and shout from the roof tops when this stuff happens. Thank you!
Lynne and Heidi:
Oglivy PR is handling the response, and the DC based Digital 360 group is running the online social media.
GL
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