Are you ever off the clock?

I've been watching with great interest the news over the last few days regarding a PR and social media veteran A quick synopsis. Upon landing in his clients hometown, a tweet appeared disparaging said city. Now, this was done under his personal twitter account and not as part of any program for this client, but under his own personal brand. However, it offended the client and a storm has brewed. I'm not interested in discussing the play by play, so I won't and as far as I'm concerned, apologies have been issued and that's that.

However, this has really planted a question in my mind.

Can Personal brands and Professional duties co-exist?

As with many of these questions, who knows right? A very murky subject. Can you ever NOT be representing the clients you work for, even when you aren't on the "clock" per se or acting in your own "branded space". Clearly this recent event has made it pretty clear. NO is the answer.

Today's marketing and communications environment is one where you are encouraged to develop your own "brand", distinguish yourself and showcase you bleeding edge knowledge. Yet, unless you are self employed, this is at a complete opposite to whom your employer wants you to be in the end. They love the free spirit, forward thinking attitude but beware....

I think we're in for a very interesting time here. Soon, PR, Marketing, "social media experts" and the like will have to either turn over their personal brands when they take on clients or write into contracts specific language protecting their Independence...I can't wait to see.

What are your thoughts?