Crisis Management

Walmart’s Latest Employee-Relations Debacle Speaks to the Need for Proactive Communications Policies

July 12th, 2013 by

A Kemptville, Ontario, Walmart employee was fired this week after urging a customer to not leave his dog in his car while he shopped. The story quickly grew legs and amounts to yet another PR black eye for the company.

Fixing the Major Image Problems of Big-Time Sports

July 12th, 2013 by

The ugly story of Aaron Hernandez raises again the issue of perception challenges in big-time sports, both on the professional and collegiate levels, and it’s worth some time thinking about how we got here. We’re… Continued

How to Improve Crisis Management in Universities

July 9th, 2013 by

The experiences of Penn State and Rutgers show how cultures with lax oversight, athletic-department hubris and the failures of effective university leadership can sink well-cultivated reputations for learning and integrity.

3 Lessons Eliot Spitzer Can Learn From Anthony Weiner

July 8th, 2013 by

It’s been five years since Eliot Spitzer resigned as Governor of New York amid a prostitution scandal. However, after a short-lived stint as a pundit for several networks, Spitzer has announced that he is ready to give politics another go and is bidding for a spot as New York City’s comptroller.

As Details of Asiana Airlines Crash Emerge, the Company Faces a Crisis With Transparency

July 8th, 2013 by

In the immediate aftermath of the tragic plane crash on July 6, Asiana Airlines has been forthcoming with its findings, regardless of how the facts will reflect on the company.

Paula Deen, J.Lo, Next Crisis: What is PR’s Role in a Hot Mess?

July 1st, 2013 by

There are countless communications takeaways from the recent celebrity gaffes. Whether it’s Paula Deen dealing with allegations of being a racist and then dropped like a buttered sweet potato by every brand partner, or Jennifer… Continued

Will PR Take the Fall for JLo’s Serenade in Turkmenistan?

July 1st, 2013 by

On Saturday, Jennifer Lopez sang Happy Birthday to Turkmenistan’s president, Gurbanguly M. Berdimuhamedov. Today, there’s PR hell to pay.

A Teachable Twitter Moment, Courtesy of the Baldwins and Their Tormentors

June 28th, 2013 by

Did she or didn’t she? That is, did Alec Baldwin’s wife tweet about “amazing recipes,” wedding anniversary presents and her appearance on the “Rachael Ray Show” at James Gandolfini’s funeral service?

When Will The NFL Decide That Enough Is Enough?

June 27th, 2013 by

New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was arrested yesterday for murder and five other counts of gun-related crimes. In addition to Hernandez, Cleveland Browns’ Ausar Walcott was also arrested yesterday for attempted murder.

Video Pick: Paula Deen’s Today Show Non-Apology

June 27th, 2013 by

It’s been a little more than a week since we learned about Paula Deen’s damning deposition, in which the food queen uttered the ‘N’ word. But in that time Deen’s “sweet grandmother” image has suffered irreparable damage