Strive Notes

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I see in PR Week that the charity Samaritans have enlisted the services of Pete Doherty to publicise a celebrity football game this weekend.

On the surface it seems like a good idea.  Using  established musician to promote is service to young people is an excellent strategy for Samaritans, who provide free, confidential emotional support for people with feelings despair, even suicide.

But really! Choosing a man who is an icon for the drug culture?! A man who fills the pages of  tabloids with stories of his antics and his drug use (even while in prison)?

PR Week quotes Samaritans press officer Claire Duncan saying, “We are a non-judgemental organisation offering emotional support to anyone who may need it and, because of this, we wouldn’t make a judgement about what Pete Doherty has been through.”

Well yes. And I understand the appeal to their core audience. But what about another equally important audience…the people who support Samaritans with donations? What if Pete ends up with a spike in his arm thanks to the fees paid by this charity?

How can this reflect well on Samaritans?

Filed under: public relations