Britain's PR ethics watchdog today booted Bell Pottinger from membership for at least five years for the firm's racist campaign in South Africa that it says dealt a major blow to the reputation of PR business.
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"Bell Pottinger has brought the PR and communications industry into disrepute with its actions and has received the harshest possible sanctions," said Francis Ingham, PRCA'S Director General. "The PRCA has never before passed down such a damning indictment of an agency’s behaviour."
BP's campaign, on behalf of the Gupta family's Oakbay Capital, was "likely to inflame racial discord in South Africa," according to the PRCA.
The BBC noted that Chime, which is owned by Martin Sorrell's WPP and Providence unloaded their 25 percent stake in BP, as the scandal heated up earlier this year.
James Henderson, BP's biggest stockholder, stepped down yesterday.

Francis Ingham
Businesses operating in today’s fragmented global landscape face increasingly complex challenges, underscoring the crucial role they play in achieving meaningful impact.
Edelman is providing communications support to Panama’s Ministry of Commerce and Industries under an agreement capped at $97,100 per month.
Ballard Partners has recruited State Department veteran Matt Bryza as a senior policy advisor.
Teneo has extended its contract with the Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation for an additional four months to July 31, adding another $1.8M in fees to the New York firm’s coffers.
The Syrian Kurdish militia recruits Jim Dornan Strategies to press Congress for continued support in their battle against ISIS and Syrian president Bashar Assad.



