Four Things We Can Learn From Top Gear’s Fracas-gate

Earlier last week the BBC issued a statement regarding the suspension of Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson.

For those people who were scanning the headlines that day it may not have come as a surprise. Clarkson and Top Gear have been involved in a wide range of controversial issues (the most recent one as far back as October 2014 in Argentina involving an apparently coincidental number plate). And each time Clarkson is given a formal warning from the producers who promise that this time it would be his ‘last chance’. However on this occasion it was universally agreed that a line had been crossed. The suspension came after Clarkson was involved in a physical altercation with one of the producers. An argument that originated over the correct food not being served.

Top Gear has amassed millions of viewers from around the world in its 12 years on air. The majority of these viewers tune in each week to watch the latest exploits involving the three presenters. These range from slapstick comedy to fast paced racing in exotic locations. And at the centre of this is Jeremy Clarkson’s witty banter that makes it the most widely watched factual television programme in the world. And this is where the BBC faces a moral dilemma. Just how much can they let Clarkson get away with if it comes at the expense of physical abuse? If it had been anyone else they would have been replaced a long time ago. But looking at it from a business point of view, can the BBC really afford to lose one its most valuable assets? Especially if the prospect of him (and his loyal co-presenters) joining a rival channel is a very strong possibility.

Here are four things that businesses can learn from the latest Top Gear ‘fracas’.

1. Watch Your Attitude

Both clients and design agencies face similar problems like the one the BBC is facing (minus the exchange of punches over under-heated food). Some might argue that Clarkson and many other television presenters display a larger than life personality in the public eye. So it is inevitable that to keep up with that persona controversies like this can be expected somewhere down the line. However there are many other TV companies who have a demanding host but they deal with it just fine. The inability to control your employees reflects really badly on your leadership. This is where a no-nonsense attitude works best.

2. Know When To Give Up

Designers have been known to throw a dramatic tantrum or two (not that I’d know anything about that) that leads to the client reluctantly agreeing. Likewise a client may ask for something beyond the bounds of reality that may leave an agency no choice but to continue working on the project.

In all the back-and-forth drama that ensues in this stand-off one side tends to lose it’s battle. And from then on it’s usually a steep slope for the losing side. This may all sound very deep and philosophical but it’s probably something we have all faced at some time in our lives. Unfortunately there is no easy solution for this as both sides feel like they have a lot more to lose than their opposition if they blink first. Most will see the BBC as weak if they let Clarkson off with a light punishment once again but ultimately it will be a decision that’s made with the interest of all parties in mind. Pick your battles, not everything is worth arguing over.

3. Money Talks

It is very easy to approach this from a politically correct angle. Whether it was just a scuffle as some papers reported or a full on lip tearing punch as others have described, violence should not be tolerated at the workplace. But that solution is a lot more complicated than it looks. As hard as it is to accept the BBC are losing out on millions as foreign broadcasters are demanding compensation for the unaired episodes and rival TV companies are circling Clarkson like vultures in the hopes of bringing him over to their side. If your business is suffering then taking firm action may be the correct thing to do. There is no point in keeping hold of a troublesome employee if it means losing out financially.

4. Draw The Line From The Beginning

In hindsight what the BBC could have improved on was managing Clarkson a lot better. Many people are blaming them for creating this ‘monster’ in the first place. Too much leniency in the past has led to this kind of attitude and lack of respect towards another colleague. The same can be said for any business. Draw the line near the very beginning of a project when you at least have a chance to discuss and debate certain points. Ignore this and you invite them to keep testing the system.

Hakim Shujaee is a Creative Thinker and Designer at Happy Creative, a full service marketing and creative agency based in Blackpool, Lancashire. To learn more or contact us please go to www.happy-creative.co.uk

Share this:
Four Things We Can Learn From Top Gear’s Fracas-gate
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By using this website you agree to our Data Protection Policy.
Read more

Professional Brand Audit

Free professional brand audit. Receive a grade for your
branding performance, as well as implementable steps and actions.

ENQUIRE NOW

Please enter your email to subscribe to the Happy blog

REQUEST A CALLBACK

Paid Social Campaigns

Paid social media can be a brilliantly effective yet low cost form of lead generation, and it’s a great way to extend your reach, drive website traffic and generate likes and shares.

We’ll take care of setting up and managing your paid social media accounts, ensuring your spend is carefully targeted. Then we’ll provide clear, transparent reporting so you can keep refining the strategy to make your ad spend even more effective.

More about Paid Social Campaigns

Social Media

All the tweets and posts in the world won’t help generate leads unless there’s some strategic thinking behind what you’re doing.

We’ll help define the right social media strategy for you, so that you’re on the right platforms, saying the right things to the right people at the right time to generate the right leads.

More about Social Media

Design & Brand Building

Marketing is bit like those huge, swirling flocks of starlings you see from time to time. Individually your brochure, email, ad, meme or gif may not change the world.

But when you join them together and ensure they’re all heading in the same direction, you have the power to stop people in their tracks.

We design communications that help build a consistent brand and convert more leads to sales.

More about Design & Brand Building

Websites

Your website can generate leads in so many ways. Informed content. Strong calls to action. A simple, natural journey from ‘Hi there!’ to ‘Buy now’.

Yet websites are never ‘done’. They need to keep evolving to keep pace with your customers’ expectations, so we’ll be with you for the long haul to keep tweaking, refining and growing your site – and to deliver the PPC campaigns that help drive traffic towards it.

Because when your website keeps working to understand and speak to your audience, you’ve got more chance of converting.

More about Websites

PR & Content

There’s a knack to ensuring your business is seen in the right places at the right time. We’ll build your PR profile across the mix of channels that’s right for you (from press to social media to events) and use our contacts to spread the word.

So when your customers are ready to buy, it’ll be your brand they think of first.

More about PR & Content

Claim your happy offer

    Claim your happy offer

      Claim your happy offer

        Claim your happy offer

          Claim your happy offer

            What would make you happy today?