Last week, a popular technology blogger called out a WOMMA member and WOMMA for what he believed to be a breach of the WOMMA ethics code. The issue has continued to get widespread attention on Boing Boing and other places.
While WOMMA is not a “policing” organization, we do have a process in place to investigate possible breaches of the code. When a WOMMA member formally presents a complaint about a possible Code violation (which has occurred in this case), the issues is turned over to our Member Ethics Advisory Panel (MEAP). The Panel will now review the case to determine if there has been a violation. The group will return with one of three outcomes: There has been a violation and the member must address the violation or risk losing membership; 2., There has been no violation 3, There has not been a formal violation of the Code, but there has been a violation of the “spirit” of the Code and the member receives a warning.
. Our ultimate goal is to protect our members, our brands and the consumers — while at the same time continuing to refine and reinforce the WOMMA Ethics Guidelines as the Industry Standard that provides clear direction to all marketers.
This is at the heart of what the current WOMMA Living Ethics project is all about. Our industry is changing. Please make sure to make your comments and voice heard.
So … is this an ethics violation?