'Businesses expected to speak up on societal issues' - CIPR welcomes CBI report
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations has welcomed new research from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) tracking public attitudes towards business.
Everyone’s business tracker: Public attitudes report (PDF) reveals 92% of the public want businesses to speak out on key issues impacting society. The report argues an increased focus on gender pay reporting, GDPR and Brexit has encouraged businesses to speak more openly about the challenges they face.
However the research warns the impact of high profile failures has tarnished the broader reputation of business, with 56% of the public believing the reputation of business is good, down 9% since October last year.
The collapse of Carillion and the Cambridge Analytica scandal have had a negative impact on the reputation of business and highlight the need for firms to commit to corporate governance and fulfil their social responsibilities.
There is a clear demand for business to operate with social purpose. Just today we've seen Nike launch an advertising campaign with the former NFL player and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick.
Public relations professionals have a key role to play in guiding these decisions and encouraging businesses to align their interests with their audiences. We have the opportunity to ensure clients and businesses operate ethically and responsibly with the beneficial outcomes that result in terms of reputation and brand loyalty.
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/SRWkMIDdaO
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 3, 2018
- Download Everyone's Business: public attitudes tracker (PDF)
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)
Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas. The CIPR is the largest membership organisation for PR practitioners outside of North America. By size of turnover and number of individually registered members, we are the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).