Hypocrisy runs deep in the free-pitching debate

I read David Lightman’s letter (DW 3 March) with interest. While I agree with the position and the sentiment, I cannot help but see a twist of irony here.

I have worked in the design industry for 14 years as the managing director of a specialist PR consultancy. We have had clients that include big names like Design Bridge, Corporate Edge, Elmwood and Identica, which have considerable marketing budgets.

In fact, we were in a pitch just two weeks ago for Enterprise IG, the biggest design consultancy in the world.

Never have we been offered any money to pitch – a process that usually takes two to three days, costs in the region of £1500-£2000, and includes the preparation and presentation of a detailed proposal containing original ideas, which are, by the way, we cannot copyright.

We have asked on occasion and have always been met with a wry smile and a polite refusal.

If design groups (particularly brands in the top ten that could afford to cover our expenses) is unwilling to pay for pitching, how can it demand to be treated differently by prospective clients?

Anton Rush

Managing directorThe Zebra ConsultancyExeterEX20 2HT