From a negative position when PR Week last looked at this
(13/11/98), Marks and Spencer has recovered much ground as it announced
boardroom changes.
In the interim, the board was criticised for having a public rift as a
result of Keith Oates’ bid to become CEO. As soon as Sir Richard’s
candidate, Peter Salsbury was appointed, his calibre, independence and
performance were the sole focus of media attention. The share price
fell, but positive descriptions of the new CEO’s toughness and team
spirit outnumbered the negatives as the broadsheets and Sunday papers
reported the changes.
Criticism was in terms of a closed culture and autocracy, so Salsbury’s
announcement that he would use more outside marketing and consultancy
help and make structural changes to the board, was exactly right. New
adviser Alan Parker of Brunswick was described as ’practically living at
St Michael’s house’ during the week, and the improved positive ratio of
messages in a still difficult situation shows the result.
Evaluation and analysis by CARMA International. Cuttings supplied by the
Broadcast Monitoring Company. ’What The Papers Say’ can be found at:
www.carma.com.
