Differentiate between marketing ethics and laws.

Differentiation should include

  • understanding that ethics are the principles and standards that define acceptable marketing conduct as determined by various stakeholders (e.g., privacy issues and/or policies)
  • understanding that laws are society’s expectation of conduct of what is right and wrong (e.g., online fraud)
  • examining the rights and protections for owners of intellectual property (e.g., intellectual property theft)
  • understanding responsibility for securing customer data.

Process/Skill Questions: 

  • What are the privacy issues/policies marketers must consider?
  • What are the standards by which marketers must abide?
  • What does being socially responsible mean?
  • What are examples of poor marketing ethical decisions?
  • What laws have been enacted to protect consumers in Virginia?
  • When do companies get a public relations professional or company involved after a breach has occurred?

Teacher Resources: