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Three Tips for Revamping Your Crisis Management Strategy

By Todd Aberman, writing for PublicRelay A company can build up a great brand reputation one day, only to have an unforeseen PR crisis tarnish its brand the next day. Effective crisis management can not only mitigate the negative impact that such an event causes, but also has the potential to build up a company’s brand reputation […]


The Consequences of ‘Horse Race’ Reporting

By Denise-Marie Ordway, writing for the Harvard Kennedy School Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy When journalists covering elections focus primarily on who’s winning or losing — instead of on policy issues — voters, candidates and the news industry itself suffer, a growing body of research has found. Media scholars have studied so-called […]


The Political Apology

By Peter Donolo, writing for the Globe and Mail: As Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau has been uncommonly apologetic. His apologies for a litany of Canada’s historical wrongs even prompted the venerable BBC to ask “does Justin Trudeau apologize too much?” That’s one reason his almost defiant decision – to which he’s holding firm – not to […]


Crisis Management FAIL: Michigan State Paying the Price for Their Systemic Failure to Address the Nassar Sex Abuse Accusations

By Nora Jacobs, Hennes Communications On September 5, the U.S. Department of Education announced it was fining Michigan State University $4.5 million for “a systemic failure to protect students from sexual abuse.” The fine is the latest fallout from the Larry Nassar scandal, which has embroiled MSU in lawsuits, a succession of high-profile firings, resignations […]


Crisis Communications for Hurricanes

By Jim McKay, writing for Emergency Management: How the Medical University of South Carolina, a 700-bed medical center with six colleges, honed its crisis communications strategy and methodology and was able to continue operations during Hurricane Florence last September. As Hurricane Florence whipped through the Carolinas creating havoc last September, the Medical University of South […]


What’s the Difference Between a Public Relations Firm and a Crisis Communications Firm?

From Stephanie York, JD and VP of Hennes Communications: From Wikipedia: Public relations (PR) is the practice of deliberately managing the spread of information between an individual or an organization (such as a business, government agency, or a nonprofit organization) and the public.  Public relations may include an organization or individual gaining exposure to their […]


Has the Crisis Communications ‘Golden Hour’ Disappeared?

From Victoria Cross, writing for ContinuityCentral.com: Fight, flight, freeze… or film? Evolutionary science tells us that when faced with a potentially dangerous situation, our sympathetic nervous system is activated and a primitive ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response kicks in. Our body is subsequently flooded with adrenaline and we are poised to make an unconscious decision […]


Take a Breath: Legal Considerations for Your Communications

From Madelaine C. Lane, writing for the Grand Rapids Business Journal: It’s a story we see play out all too often on the evening news: An organization or one of its employees is hit with a search warrant, subpoena or a civil lawsuit. Before the receptionist, communications director or CEO can turn around, a microphone […]


How the University of Iowa Recovered From the ‘Unfathomable’ Flood That Ruined It

From John Schwartz, writing for the New York Times: Don Guckert’s job is keeping the buildings on the University of Iowa’s charming campus up and running, and safe. His most important lessons came from the worst days of his career, in June 2008, when the waters of the Iowa River washed across the campus, causing […]


Cleveland Indians Pitcher Throws Fit, Hits Apology Out of the Park

There were strong rumors he was going to get traded anyhow, but the deal was probably sealed the moment Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer threw a ball over the center field wall in an act of frustration. As we’ve often counseled those who’ve committed sins both venal and mortal, apologies must be authentic, honest, heartfelt […]


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