Module 01 Discussion – Illegal, Unethical or Both?

IN THIS COURSE, WE WILL EXAMINE THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF MARKETING FIRST, THEN, WE WILL EXAMINE THE ETHICAL ASPECTS OF MARKETING. ALTHOUGH THIS SEQUENCING MAKES SENSE TO ALLOW US TO DIVE INTO EACH TOPIC, IN REALITY, LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES ARE OFTEN INTERTWINED. THERE ARE NO NEON LIGHTS THAT LET MARKETERS KNOW WHEN THE DECISION THEY’RE FACING HAS LEGAL IMPLICATIONS VS. ETHICAL ONES. IN REALITY, MARKETING DECISIONS REQUIRE A CONSTANT AWARENESS OF BOTH LEGAL AND ETHICAL FACTORS. FOR OUR FIRST DISCUSSION, WE WILL EXAMINE PAST CORPORATE SCANDALS AND DISCUSS WHETHER THE ACTIONS OF THE KEY PLAYERS WERE ILLEGAL, UNETHICAL OR BOTH.