Crisis Management

In part II of our interview with PR crisis pro Bridget Paverd, we focus on a human dimension of crisis, apologizing with humility.

Professor Anthony D’Angelo responds to a PRNEWS article and defends how Southwest Airlines handled its winter debacle. He argues strategic PR is about what you do, not what you say. As such, PR should lead Southwest’s recovery.

In this edition of Week in Review, the Hindenburg-Adani case shows an activist investors’ allegations demand factual responses.

Usually an excellent communicator, Southwest Airlines must repair its reputation now. PR and apologies are important, but won’t be enough. Instead, it also needs a strategic rebrand.

This week’s notable PR items showcase the consequences and impact of crisis at Zelle and TikTok as well as a change at Amazon.

Admitting mistakes promptly is difficult. Yet the history of PR crisis shows it’s the best route for avoiding drip-by-drip negative media. The White House is learning this lesson the hard way.

The media and book lovers were wild about Harry this week, but his family stayed mum. Meanwhile, McDonald’s took a hit for an old PR crisis.

Gauging how quickly to respond is one of the more difficult elements of PR crisis. Yet a prompt response is a critical part of recovery. As such, crisis expert Bridget Privard says instilling confidence in executives through training and planning is vital.

You thought the McDonald’s-CEO Stephen Easterbrook PR crisis was finished in 2021 with a claw-back settlement. Well, not quite. The SEC added an exclamation point to it, emphasizing corporate transparency.

The first week of January 2023 came roaring in with crises and opportunities for communication wins. While some brands and individuals seemed to suffer from a holiday hangover, others made unforgettable strides that practitioners will be talking about for years to come.