Communications Strategy as Competitive Advantage
As a communications consultant, I'm struck by how often senior executives are disappointed in their public relations functions' ability to meet even low expectations. … Read More
Inspire Confidence with Credible Internal Communications
How can a company's communications help drive employee confidence and engagement without being dismissed as vapid cheerleading? Confidence-building … Read More
First Things First: Reputation Comes Before Brand
What exactly do we mean by reputation? And how does it differ from brand? This is how I would begin: Reputation is the gateway to consideration – of purchase, … Read More
Recent Blog Posts
Lessons from White House attack Twitter hoax: Vigilance; don’t ‘stop loss’
The hacking of the AP's Twitter account this week--about a fictitious attack on the White House--sent the stock market diving reminiscent of the "flash crash" of 2010. Two quick observations: Hackers can be more sophisticated than the social media sites we're all … [Read More...]
‘Pink slime’ lawsuit could upend one-sided TV reporting–but don’t bet on it
Maybe you were repulsed when reports of “pink slime” began getting national attention just about 12 months ago. Maybe you were amused. But now it’s time for PR professionals to pay attention. A ruling is expected soon on what some view as a "landmark defamation suit" … [Read More...]
CSR champion or 2nd Amendment stalwart? Wal*Mart at cross-roads over “assault weapons”
Wal-Mart once again finds itself at a reputational inflection point, in the cross-hairs of critics for the sale of so-called assault rifles just as the national debate over gun control comes to a crescendo. After making two strong statements earlier this month on its … [Read More...]
Lance goes Oprah: Is it too late to tell the truth?
With all the hype surrounding Lance Armstrong's soon-to-be-released interview with Oprah Winfrey, I'm wondering: Is it ever too late to come clean? (Also: see my earlier post on when to apologize.) Put aside all the legal issues and look at this from a reputational … [Read More...]
Pink slime oozes way to PR Disaster of Year
The 2012 Force for Good PR Disaster of the Year goes to "lean finely textured beef." Huh? Never heard of it? Perhaps this meat product's nickname rings a bell: "Pink slime." You know you have a crisis on your hands when you've so lost control of the very identity of … [Read More...]
Crisis Case Study: Feeding Frenzy
An inside look at crisis management in the 21st century, Feeding Frenzy tells the story of two companies at war with each other, and of the trial lawyers determined to keep the conflict on the front pages.
The Ford-Firestone tire crisis was the biggest business story of 2000-01. Deadly and mysterious rollover accidents of Ford Explorers with failing Firestone tires took a toll of more than 270 lives in the U.S. and at least 100 more in Venezuela and other hot-climate countries.
In compelling narrative, Feeding Frenzy provides a richer case study than can be found in other books on crisis communications. This riveting story provides readers with the feeling of living through one of the most challenging crises in business history. Read More