Marketing Week: Judge Shell by actions not words 25/02/99

25 February 1999

Dear Sirs

I read with interest your editorial about the ethical dilemmas facing multinationals and the reference in particular to Shell's recent public relations disasters. You say that "Shell has apparently learned its lesson". I beg to differ.

My claim against Shell UK in respect of the Smart loyalty scheme is set down for a three week High Court trial in June.

I invite Marketing Week to attend the trial. You will then be able to make an informed assessment of Shell's ethical conduct after sensational evidence is put into the public domain.

Don Marketing, the agency I founded, has successfully sued Shell three times in recent years for allegedly stealing business ideas that we put to the company in the strictest confidence. Shell settled out of court each time.

During the current litigation, Shell has employed undercover investigators who have used outright deception in the course of their activities. I have a letter from Shell's legal director, Richard Wiseman, admitting Shell's association with the covert activities (copy available on request).

I would respectfully recommend that you wait for the emergence of evidence in the coming trial before making further comments about Shell's reformed ethical conduct.

We must judge Shell by its deeds, not by its words.

John Donovan

Founder of Don Marketing UK Bury St Edmunds

Suffolk

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