Reputation

In the wake of events of the past few days, we’ve decided to slow or suspend many of our activities on this site so we can reflect on diversity and inclusion. As one of the authors of the essay, Angela Chitkara, said, “People are hurting. We need to take a good look at ourselves and ask what kind of society and organization do we want to be.”

Some organizations have taken a risky approach, building digital or earned media campaigns that stand in for the usual awareness-building events—in-person rallies, press conferences or protests—now limited by bans on public gatherings. Two notable efforts of brand activism have stood out over the course of the pandemic; one local, one national: a mask-wearing campaign in Chicago, and political statements from longtime mercantile activist Patagonia.

The pandemic shows it’s impossible to predict a crisis. On the other hand, assessing likely risks, preparing a response plan in advance, understanding processes and practicing regularly will ensure success during most crises.

It seems that no industry can escape coronavirus economic fallout, with the gig economy especially feeling the pain. As citizens shift their daily activities to become more home-centered, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft see… Continued

On May 11, President Trump proclaimed the U.S. would “transition to greatness” in his administration’s push to reopen the economy. The problem? Googling the slogan yields a website featuring an open casket visual, a count of total coronavirus cases and deaths, a link to the CDC website and several feature-length articles listing evidence around the Trump administration’s failure to manage the crisis.

Public relations crisis management counsels that brands should own their mistakes promptly, apologize when there are victims and communicate how they are making things right. Red Lobster’s CEO Kim Lopdrup did that yesterday. For many… Continued

The early portion of this morning’s Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pension (HELP) Committee hearing didn’t produce the communication bombshells some had anticipated when a NY Times article late last evening revealed a portion of… Continued

As meat processing plants around the U.S. close temporarily due to COVID-19 outbreaks, the supply chain disruption has started to reach consumers. Bulk retailer Costco has limited beef and ground pork sales per customer, as… Continued

What to do when you have trouble communicating and there’s an important message to send? Qualification: You’re an ineffective communicator in the eyes of your 25-year-old daughter. And to make things more complex, you happen to be governor of the country’s coronavirus epicenter?

Our crisis communications columnist Katie Paine assesses the responses to the coronavirus-related media attention from elderly care facilities and the cruise line industry. She finds the messages of both groups missed the boat.