In a nod to an earlier post by Keith Robinson of Blue Flavor advocating small businesses “stick together and keep and eye out for each other,” Martin gives positive and very specific praise to 9 agencies that could technically be considered competition to his own firm.

Both of these writings have hints of Greg Storey’s memo from a few months earlier that I hope everyone even remotely involved in this industry has read. If you haven’t, I’d suggest putting this post away and heading over there now. Link.

I have a huge amount of respect for those willing to leverage their own platform to help others, especially in tight times. I don’t think it comes naturally, but I do know it encourages more of the same.

I hate to flip the intent of this post, but the reverse is true as well. If you leverage your platform to disrespect your peers, everyone begins to draw swords.

I’m not sure if this is easier to spot in local markets or it’s just easier to spot in my local market, but I’ve noticed an uptake in shenanigans again — teams taking credit where it’s undue, agencies unwilling to mention others in the field, sales execs misleading prospects, etc. It all seems to plot in direct correlation to economic conditions. I think if we looked more closely, though, we’d find it more directly related to the community’s reaction to them.

In other words, if and when times get tough, you can handle it as per the examples at top, or you can piss in the village well and see what happens. I recommend the former. It’s healthier for everyone.

By the way, sorry for the metaphor. I get tired of the adolescent antics of mature individuals and agencies. As easy as it would be to ignore it all and go drink from the river, I think there’s a higher standard we can all measure ourselves against.