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UK spot for seatbelt safety.

I just read a great story in the Pitch about the history of the Wal-mart account and the relationship with long-term agency Bernstein Rein.

I admit, I’m totally engrossed in the Wal-mart agency review saga and am reading everything published on the subject. But apparently I’m not alone. Wal-Mart and its travails have reverberated throughout the ad world.
AdAge has 5 stories related to recent events:

In Bentonville, Buyers Abide by Stringent Code

Wal-Mart Ethics Code

1. Follow the law at all times.
2. Be honest and fair.
3. Never manipulate, misrepresent, abuse or conceal information.
4. Avoid conflicts of interest between work and personal life.
5. Never discriminate.
6. Never act unethically — even if someone else tells you to.
7. Never ask someone to act unethically.
8. Seek assistance if you have questions about ethics.
9. Cooperate with any investigation of a possible ethics violation.
10. Report ethics violators.

Draft Dealt Staggering Blow After Strutting Like A Champ

DraftFCB CEO Howard Draft went from triumphant hero to disaster management overnight.

Advertising Age had decided that DraftFCB, thanks to the boldness of its model and the Wal-Mart new-business coup, was going to be this publication’s Agency of the Year, a decision that would have been officially announced in our Jan. 8 issue.

Now, all that has changed.

Sam’s Successors Share Blame For Wal-Mart Shame

Sam Walton must be rolling in his grave.

Almost nothing could be more contrary to Wal-Mart’s culture and heritage than a high-profile marketing executive seen taking rides in high-priced cars with current and potential vendors or accused in the press of accepting expensive entertainment and gratuities from them.

As Wal-Mart Reopens Review, Windy City Ad Community Lets Out A Groan

In the wake of Roehm-gate, Wal-Mart has gone from being the Chicago ad community’s redemption to being a low point in an already-grim 24 months.

Pushing Envelope Julie’s MO–Not Wal-Mart’s

Pushing the envelope of propriety

If there is any practical lesson from this affair, it’s that the client is the company — not the senior VP-marketing — and the client’s values system is not to be taken lightly. DraftFCB evidently bought into Roehm’s self-image as a “change agent.”

Yeah, well, congratulations. Wal-Mart is now changing agencies.

Even the Chicago Tribune is running stories filled with advice for DraftFCB:

DraftFCB needs to act quickly to restore its reputation.

If Draft and his team determine the agency did nothing wrong, they should write a strongly worded letter to Wal-Mart and make it public, sending copies to their clients, prospective clients and employees, advised Robert Dilenschneider, head of the Dilenschneider Group in New York.

“They’ve been fired. They have nothing to lose,” he said in an interview Friday.

If Draft concludes the agency did cross a line somewhere, he should express outrage and remove the people involved, Dilenschneider said. Draft also should ask Wal-Mart to reconsider its stand that DraftFCB won’t be allowed to bid in the new competition for the giant discount chain’s account.

“They shouldn’t wait until Monday. They should do it today,” Dilenschneider said.

I wonder what will happen next.