UK PR pros say they will boycott clients with Russian links - New research
Six in ten (60%) UK PR professionals say they will boycott companies with Russian links for the foreseeable future, according to new PRCA research.
112 days since Russia’s unlawful, brutal invasion of Ukraine, the findings reveal the extent to which the war has changed the way the UK PR industry feels about working with organisations with Russian ties.
The research – conducted by Perspectus Global– also found that one in ten (10 percent) have cancelled contracts with organisations and companies with links to Russia.
In fact, –the study found that almost a fifth (18 percent) of the PR people polled said they had colleagues or friends based in the Ukraine who they were fearful for.
Meanwhile, 57 percent have deep concerns about the global economy because of Russia’s actions, and almost two thirds (63 percent) believe that the invasion could be as damaging for the economy as the pandemic was.
“Our thoughts go out to those suffering the devastating impact of the war on the ground,” says Harriet Scott, CEO of Perspectus Global. “And while these are secondary effects, it’s clear that an industry which has already been shaken by the pandemic is now jumpy about the events unfolding in Ukraine. It’s clear that there are real fears that the hard work to get agencies back running smoothly could be hit once more following fallout from the war.
The study also found that just a quarter (26 percent) of those polled believe that the invasion will not affect their business in some way in the future.
Learn more about PRCA/ICCO’s Ukraine Communication Support Network (UCSN). Sign up to the UCSN mailing list for further updates.
The study was conducted by Perspectus Global, in partnership with the PRCA, and surveyed 55 UK PR professionals during April, May and June 2022.
