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General Motors has axed Teneo as its PR counselor following news that CEO Declan Kelly was inebriated at a Global Citizen event in May and engaged in inappropriate behavior.
A spokesperson for the automaker said June 25 that following a series of discussions it decided not to continue working with Teneo.
GM is the first major client to cut Teneo since the Financial Times broke news of Kelly’s misbehavior on June 24. Kelly had been advising GM CEO Mary Barra.
Global Citizen, which booted Kelly from its board following the May 2 charity event, also severed ties with the PR firm that serves blue-chip companies such as Dow Chemical, Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines and General Electric, as well as Saudi Arabia.
Kelly, who is undergoing counseling, has relinquished some of his managerial duties at Teneo.
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Jun. 28, 2021, by Joe Honick
This is not a story that should appear and disappear. Kelly has already been targeted, and, sadly, without realizing how his behavior cut right through his company and employees. The main point is that whatever hit the man must have been obvious to others who apparently could not get a talented advisor help. At a time when so many had been working away from daily contact with management and each other, concerns could develop without anyone knowing. This reality should be instructive to all pressured folks in all businesses.