Shakespeare and Ethics

08.11.12

A private viewing at the British Museum is always an attractive proposition, even when it starts early in the morning, and as this was an invitation from the Mistress and the City Livery Club, how could I resist. This particular viewing was to see (and hear) a major exhibition on the world of Shakespeare. It provided a unique insight into the role of London as an emerging world City seen through the perspective of Shakespeare's plays.  We were greeted by the curator who, in addition to introducing the exhibition, gave some interesting background into the theatre of the time. For example it is recorded that a playwright received £6 for a play while one of the costumes cost £6.10s But then the costume, together with the others in the production, would have been the genuine article. With the Royal Shakespeare Company providing appropriate pieces from the masters works this was truly an enlightening and uplifting experience which I can certainly recommend. And so back to the office and then onto St Brides with the Mistress.

The "Ethics in Marketing" debate was the first in what will hopefully be an annual event at St Brides Church. The Question Time style approach was chaired by journalist and broadcaster Ray Snoddy OBE while the panel comprised of Sir Paul Judge - Alderman, Anthony Thomson - Founder of Metro Bank, Andrew Marsden - Consultant, chair of ASA standards group and Marketor Businessman and Marketor, Ruth Mortimer - Editor of Marketing Week, and Philip Herbert - partner of law firm Hamlins LLP. With such a strong panel and a demanding set of questions this event exceeded all expectations offering revelations and incites not usually revealed. While I was proud to have initiated this event, which parallels the activities of my other initiative the Marketing Law Group chaired by Ardi Kolah, all credit must go to Sue Ash, chair of our St Brides Committee, without whose hard work and organisation skills this would not have happened. So here is to the next event which, I understand, is already being scheduled for June of next year. 

John Flynn
Master Marketor