For a scandal-plagued celebrity, the ultimate diss is to get dropped as a spokesperson by a company whose own sleaze is legendary. Tiger Woods, you've been dissed!
Global consulting firm Accenture PLC has ended its relationship with Tiger Woods, marking the first major sponsor to cut ties altogether with the golfer since his alleged infidelities surfaced and he announced an indefinite leave from the sport to work on his marriage.For those of you who have absolutely no idea who Accenture is, a history lesson is in order. The parent company from which Accenture was spawned was none other than Arthur Anderson. Still scratching your head? Arthur Anderson was the accounting firm that was up to its greedy eyeballs in the Enron scandal. Anderson was so badly compromised by the Enron scandal that it lost its entire client base and had to close up shop.
In its first statement since the Woods' scandal erupted, Accenture said Sunday the golfer is "no longer the right representative" after the "circumstances of the last two weeks."
"Ah", you say, "but Accenture was a completely separate company by the time Enron broke." That is true. What is also true is that the acorn didn't fall far from the parent tree. Accenture is scandal-plagued in its own right.
My own experience with Accenture, (then Arthur Anderson Consulting) back in the 80's was enlightening. They took processes that had been able to complete within the 8 hour swing shift window and, by applying their magic, got those same processes to run in a mere 18 to 20 hours! It was epic in its expense and the scope of its failure.
But they're too good for Tiger Woods.
