November 2, 2025
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Lessons From How Tylenol Is Dealing With Its Latest Reputational Splitting Headache
Introduction by Thom Fladung, Hennes Communications
Recently, Tylenol faced its latest reputational crisis when President Donald Trump and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., held a press event in which – despite science-backed studies to the contrary – they linked Tylenol to autism. “Don’t take Tylenol,” the president repeated several times.
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The Cracker Barrel Mess Isn't Over Yet
Introduction by Allison Girvin, Hennes Communications
Cracker Barrel’s recent logo controversy shows how fast things can spiral online, and how bots can fuel the flames. A simple logo refresh sparked a viral backlash, tanked the stock and forced a retreat to the old branding. Later, a third of the outrage came from fake accounts. The lesson: in a crisis, speed and spotting what’s real online are everything.
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Crisis Communications: Before, During, and After Disasters
This must-read article reveals how real disasters test — and prove — the power of crisis communication training. From the Key Bridge collapse to the Nashville shooting, Tropical Storm Helene and California wildfires, it shows how classroom lessons become life-saving action and how every response reshapes future teaching. Blending insight, authenticity and urgency, it’s a powerful reminder that mastering communication before disaster strikes can make the difference between chaos and control.
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The Psychology of Font Choice and Brand Personality
Typography shapes how audiences perceive, interpret and connect with brand messages. Research from Monotype shows that typeface choices can increase positive consumer responses by up to 13%, demonstrating typography’s measurable impact on brand perception. Beyond mere decoration, fonts serve as visual voices that communicate brand personality, values and credibility before audiences read a single word. Understanding typography’s role in brand messaging helps organizations create more effective, accessible and emotionally resonant communications across all channels.
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In The Wake of Political Violence: What Your Nonprofit Needs to Know
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits warns of escalating threats as the White House falsely links “radical left NGOs” to political violence following recent assassinations and attacks. New executive actions could target nonprofits’ tax status and operations without due process, prompting urgent calls for solidarity, legal preparedness, and defense of democratic freedoms.
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What to Do When Your Company Outage Makes Headlines
When a company outage becomes news, the real crisis isn’t technical—it’s reputational. This article outlines how to respond in three phases: acknowledge impact quickly, communicate transparently with tailored messages, and follow up with accountability. Brands that lead with empathy, clarity and preparedness recover trust faster than those that simply restore service.
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Halligan–Bower Exchange Again Raises Confidentiality Issue
A recent text exchange between interim U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan and journalist Anna Bower illustrates a critical media relations rule: you can’t declare a conversation “off the record” after it happens. Like the earlier Jeff Bezos case, it underscores that confidentiality must be mutually agreed upon in advance. The takeaway: ground rules with journalists must be clear, explicit, and established before sharing sensitive information.
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The Right Way to Decline a Media Opportunity and Preserve the Relationship
This article guides communications professionals on how to thoughtfully decline media opportunities without damaging relationships. From tight deadlines and ethical constraints to misaligned story angles, it explains when and how to say no while preserving credibility and trust. The key takeaway: communicate early, be transparent, and maintain professionalism to keep doors open for future media collaborations.
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Emergency Managers and the Challenge of Finding Truth in Times of Crisis
Drawing inspiration from Finding Nemo, this article explores how emergency managers and crisis communicators must navigate misinformation, disinformation, propaganda, algorithms, and groupthink to uncover truth in crises. Like Marlin’s deep-sea journey, finding truth requires courage, awareness, and persistence. The message: seek diverse sources, challenge bias, and pursue truth deliberately—because in crisis communications, lives depend on it.
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How Many Baseballs are Used in an MLB Game is a Crazy Amount
It’s one of those things you wonder, sitting on your couch, watching an MLB game. Take, maybe, a World Series game between the L.A. Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays. They’re throwing a lot of baseballs out of play, aren’t they? How many of those do they have?
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11/12/25 North Carolina School Boards Association
11/17/25 Ohio School Boards Association
11/18/25 Private Seminar
12/2/25 Construction Employers Association
12/11/25 Columbus Bar Association
12/16/25 Akron Bar Association
12/18/25 Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
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2/12/26 North Carolina School Boards Association
Leadership Conference
3/12/26 Consortium of State School Boards
Association Annual Conference
5/18/26 Managing Partner Bootcamp
(Winding River Consulting)
9/29/26 Iowa Association of School Business Officers
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