Category: Crisis Communications
Is Amazon Pandemic-Proof?
May 10, 2020
Most retail companies are burning their 2020 business strategies. The coronavirus crisis has: – Left many independent retailers and brands insolvent– Prompted department store Neiman Marcus to file for bankruptcy last week – Shuttered storefronts and, earlier this year, Walgreens, Forever 21 and Sears had already closed several stores By contrast, Amazon is booming. Jeff […]
The New Skill Set
May 8, 2020
What Businesses Want (in a Pandemic)… Today’s devastating news that the U.S. jobless rate hit its highest level since the Great Depression (and Canada hit its second-highest level) proves how profoundly and swiftly COVID-19 has hurt businesses and talent. As more people compete for jobs, global research suggests corporate demand for specific skills cuts across […]
Navigate a PR Crisis With Ease
August 25, 2015
Ashley Madison. FIFA. NFL. Bill Cosby. Jian Ghomeshi. Rob Ford… In recent months, the headlines have proclaimed PR problems for several major brands and personalities. These headlines prove that, in business as in life, bad stuff happens. Any company could make headlines due to a crisis involving a data breach, employee misconduct, financial issues or […]
Case Study: Social Media Crisis Control
October 21, 2014
Situation: A client called me in a panic after receiving negative feedback on social media. A competitor attacked my client’s brand in a long, rambling post on LinkedIn, which concluded with the man promoting his own brand. Approach: Fortunately I had already collaborated with my client on a crisis communication plan and standard operating procedures […]
PR in 2013: A Musical Tribute
December 17, 2013
As the year winds down, let’s take a musical journey as we reminisce about PR campaigns that stood out in 2013. Baby Got Back: After customers complained that lululemon yoga pants were “pilling” between the thighs and the seams were tearing, company founder and chairman Chip Wilson created more negative headlines. He claimed, “some women’s […]
Crisis Communications, Rob Ford Style
November 20, 2013
For weeks, Toronto mayor Rob Ford has captured global headlines with scandalous revelations of alleged crack cocaine use, public drunkenness and lewd language. Let’s see how Rob Ford’s strategy measures up to crisis communications best practices. Best practice: Be proactive, not reactive Rob Ford: Once a crisis occurs, exercise the right to remain silent. Do […]