Our May 27 story about clients using third-party firms to assist
in agency searches apparently hit a raw nerve with some PR agencies.
After receiving responses from some readers, we decided to look more
closely at the question.
Below are the opinions of a selection of agency executives and
executive recruiters on the matter.
Art Stevens, president, LobsenzStevens (New York PR firm)
"I think it's a total conflict of interest," said Stevens.
Stevens, who feels that PR agencies are "overwhelmed" by
executive recruiters plucking away good employees, said "What if a PR
firm doesn't use executive recruiters to help grow its staff? Does
that mean that that particular firm wouldn't be considered by an
"objective" executive recruiter if that recruiter were acting as a
consultant to conduct a search for a PR firm?...To think that
recruiters now would be objective and wouldn't lean towards their
largest agency clients is a naive assumption. Bad idea."
Lou Williams, president, L.C. Williams and Associates (Chicago PR
firm)
Williams questions the value that any third-party organization
adds to a client's search process. He particularly sees them as an
impediment to a client and a firm's assessment of the "chemistry"
which is so important to a successful relationship.
"If you're talking about significant programs, you are going to
be dealing with firms that are fairly equal," he said. "What
ultimately makes the difference is the chemistry. If anything
interferes with that chemistry, it's detrimental to the process."
Like Stevens, Williams is leery of executive search firms because
of concerns they will come to know--and then lure away--his best
staffers. "They steal people from me. I don't need that."
Marie Raperto, president, The Cantor Concern (New York executive
recruiter)
Appointed president of The Cantor Concern during the last year,
Raperto said her firm is vigilant to put forward the best agencies,
regardless of whether or not they are executive search clients.
Raperto said that an analysis of the agency searches done by her firm
over the past few years revealed that only about half of the time are
agencies that make the recommended list current or former executive
search clients. Since her firm has been in business for more than 20
years, it is not surprising that it has worked with many of the firms
which may be identified as qualified, she said.
Rich Roher, president, Roher Public Relations (New York PR firm)
Rich Roher also admits to concerns about potential conflicts of
interest with executive search firms conducting agency searches.
However, he says that he has not heard of instances of this occurring.
He also feels the merits of conducting a professional search are
compelling. "I think my base line position is that a company using a
professional for a search is better off than a company not using a
professional."