A tweet, statement or leaked email from the likes of Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and former CEOs John Schnatter (Papa John’s) John Schnatter and Travis Kalanick (Uber) could make or break a company’s reputation. Regardless of your organization’s size, preparing for leadership gaffes is an essential part of any PR pro’s job.
Crisis Insider


Terms You Need to Know [July 2021]
July 20th, 2021 by Seth ArensteinIn this month’s Buzz Box, we explain the Tinkerbell Effect and Green Hydrogen and their impact for crisis communicators.

Former Trump PR Pro Urges CEOs to Push Unity on Social Stands
July 20th, 2021 by Brett BruenCrisis Insider contributor Brett Bruen talks with Alyssa Farah, former President Trump’s director of communication, about lessons learned from what were undoubtedly some of the most intense interactions any media relations team ever experienced. Several are relevant as companies prepare for, and respond to, today’s polarized political climate.

Where DEI, Ethics and Crisis Communication Intersect
July 20th, 2021 by Deborah HilemanSocietal improvement can be frustratingly slow. As a business leader and communication professional, I find it painful watching organizations repeatedly fail to learn from their mistakes.

Risk Assessment Goals: Raise Understanding and Prompt Planning
July 20th, 2021 by Seth ArensteinFor this month’s Crisis Interview, we talked with Kelly Stepno and Jim Moorhead of APCO about risk and risk assessment.

All Things Being Equal, A Trust Bank Helps You Emerge Faster from a Crisis
July 15th, 2021 by Seth ArensteinThis month’s Crisis Insider dialogue considers why two entities can react similarly to PR crises and obtain vastly different results: One company exits the crisis promptly, the other continues to experience issues. Our dialoguers are Maureen Cahill, partner, Bellmont Partners, and Dan Jasper, VP, communications, Mall of America. Interestingly, Cahill was Jasper’s predecessor at Mall of America.

Find the Best Spokesperson
June 15th, 2021 by Brett BruenDuring a crisis, let others speak on your behalf. It can be an awkward feeling when the harsh winds and torrential rains are battering your company’s reputation. Yet, in many cases, others can do a far better job of explaining who you are and what really happened.

Terms You Need to Know
June 15th, 2021 by Seth ArensteinThis month’s terms to know: Hodl, FUD and Onlyness.

Crisis Prep Fails When Leaders Won’t Change
June 15th, 2021 by Deborah HilemanOne of the biggest obstacles to effective crisis management is denial: company managers refuse to believe there is a risk that needs attention.

Plank Study Shows Importance of Ethics Training for Handling Social Media Issues
June 15th, 2021 by Seth ArensteinFor communicators, ethics permeate their daily activity. A new study reveals just how much