Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Pro Bono Courtesy

Posted by Anonymous on 3/16/2011 at 1:18 PM ET 1640 Points
Let's say a hypothetical marketing company has been providing, for ten years, pro bono design and production services to a local non-profit org. And let's say that org promotes international understanding, world education, peace and communications through local programs that feature ambassadors, diplomats or political and military leaders. Suppose their chief fund-raiser is a banquet honoring a regional citizen who has made an impact on the world, and that leader this year is the CEO of a Fortune XXX corporation.

Now let's suppose that this year you are again asked to create conceptual artwork that represents that honored person and apply it to invitations, collateral and publicity pertaining to the big event, just as you have for the last 10 years. But this time, after 3 rounds of adjustments to the artwork (requested by the org and the marketing head of the corp for which the honoree works), the corporation rejects the artwork (for purely arbitrary reasons that have nothing to do with brand violation) and instead commissions their own designer to execute the themed artwork.

Would you continue to perform work for this org on a pro bono basis? Would you take their art and apply it to your layouts?

What would you do?

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RESPONSES

  • Posted by telemoxie on 3/16/2011 at 2:32 PM Accepted
    what I would probably do is become very irritated and say something which I would regret later.

    But what I should probably do in such a situation is to swallow my pride and do whatever I can do and help however I can to make the event a success.

    Rather than continuing to work with the Association, I would leverage my contacts to set up some appointments with other large company sponsors to pursue paying work.

    I don't think you can really expect the marketing department from the CEOs company to just sit back and do nothing. They may perceive you as a threat. They certainly have their own vision and their own ideas. And, in the long run, they are a better prospect for professional services.
  • Posted on 3/16/2011 at 2:46 PM Accepted
    I'd be asking myself..."has there been an ROI for me over the past 10 years?" If yes, then consider letting this slide. If no, it's probably time to move on and earn revenue. After 10 years you should have made many contacts that you can now approach for paid work. Philanthropy is one thing but you still have to put food on your table.
  • Posted by marketbase on 3/16/2011 at 3:15 PM Accepted
    For the first question: As the Peter Chevier asked above, what have you received via business from the 10-year relationship (direct or referral)? Also ask if your connection to this organization can be parlayed into (or sustained) business generation; even though this may be the first blip of trouble you've exoerienced to this degree, it's time to seriously reconsider the equation. Sometimes even paying customers/clients need to be let go.

    For the second question, if the pro bono client insists on using their artwork but want your layout and you have searched your conscience about the previous issues, you can:
    1) Say sorry, no
    2) Let them use your layout (with printed credit on collateral produced to your company on it)
    3) Let them know that you will be billing for that piece of business.

    Best,
    jag
    MarketBase
  • Posted by AdsValueBob on 3/16/2011 at 3:30 PM Accepted
    From the 1997 movie Contact (with Jodie Foster). . . . .

    HADDEN: The powers that be have been very busy lately, falling over each other to position themselves for the game of the millennium. Maybe I can help deal you back in.

    ELLIE: I didn’t realize that I was out.

    HADDEN: Oh, maybe not out, but certainly being handed your hat.

    Per your question, "after 3 rounds of adjustments to the artwork (requested by the org and the marketing head of the corp for which the honoree works), the corporation rejects the artwork (for purely arbitrary reasons that have nothing to do with brand violation)"

    Could it be as simple as the corp. marketer just didn't like your artwork?

    It's one "job" and the NPO is probably just sucking up to the corporation. The corp. will be gone after the job and you'll be back to pro bono in no time!!!!!!

    Bob
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 3/16/2011 at 6:05 PM Accepted
    Randall spoke exactly what I was going to start to say.

    You are letting your ego get in the way. Of course you are hurt that not only did they reject your plan, but they hired and paid someone to implement a design.

    A lot of these type of situations seem to be inherent with non profits. Its very difficult to work with these the typical committees involved.

    Instead of stopping future work -- set a meeting with them. Talk to them about the value you have given them. Sit and find the real reason they have just blown you off like this. I'd be honest with your feelings and concerns. What is the logic of a np spending $ that you are providing at no charge? Its cause the nature of nonprofits. You have too many chiefs and someone has a "friend" who's so smart, etc etc...
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 3/16/2011 at 7:11 PM Accepted
    I'm with Carol. Sounds like it's time for either a formal letter or a face-to-face meeting to get some "clarity". Right now you're only seeing the picture through your eyes. Try to figure out what they're seeing, and if possible, learn from it.
  • Posted by Chris Blackman on 3/16/2011 at 7:21 PM Accepted
    In the words of Alan Weiss, "stop working for free".

    You are getting no tangible ROI, so at what point will you be able to satisfactorily answer the question "why am I doing this"?
  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 3/16/2011 at 8:37 PM Accepted
    What I would do is based on the reason you started doing the work:

    If totally altruistic because the marketing firm owners really likes *THIS* NGO, swallow pride and keep seeing what else can be done to help them.

    If you believe it what NGOs like this do (but are not totally wedded to this particular NGO), consider jumping ship to another NGO that would make use of the marketing firm's skills.

    If the goal was to get business, then do as listed above to try to get some business out of the work done over the past years.

  • Posted on 3/21/2011 at 1:13 PM Accepted
    you are taking it personally f its not for profit then help them with that intention only & if its business stay in touch with them & find a better client your layouts u can use for others & if it succeeds they gonna regret & call u back. over the time people lose importance to others so you need to just prove it!
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