BBC News 24 was playing in the background as I was working and I looked up when I heard the comment about Shell’s prophet. I thought that that was an unusual word to use for a company spokesperson or oil company pundit!
I then heard the criticism from the trade union Unite that the ‘prophets’ were “obscene” – which certainly got my attention!!
More informed listeners/readers will have already picked up the ‘O’ word as it was the headline used in The Daily Mail. I had a look at the Shell website and found this statement from their Chief Prophet:”This is another set of competitive earnings for Shell shareholders. Good operating performance, combined with increased oil and gas prices, offset the impact of weaker downstream conditions in the second quarter 2008. Shell is making substantial, targeted investments to grow the company for shareholders and help ensure that energy markets remain well supplied. Spending is increasing on new acreage and selective acquisitions as we refresh the portfolio with new options for future growth. Our strategy is on track.”
The focus on keeping shareholders happy is totally understandable – but there doesnt seem to be much focus on the consumer or positioning the profits/prophets(?) against the background of what is happening to the economy at large. The comms team at Shell seem to have responded to the criticism by pointing out that the profits come from extracting the oil – not from forecourt sales. There seems like some scope to present their story better to the consumer perhaps??? Or do you think the truth is out there but that criticising oil companies is an easy target?
Anyone know the background or able to proselytize?
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