Today I’d like to discuss a gem of a post from a Talking Points Memo blog that was brought to my attention by faithful Crisis Manager subscriber Patricia Luebke. The post slams Whole Foods’ CEO John Mackey, who’s been caught in the crossfire of yet another scandal – this time …
Twisting the Truth
When it was revealed that Tennessee Senator Paul Stanley was having an affair with his 22-year-old intern, it started a chain of events that ended with his reputation and career being destroyed. The fact that he was known for vocally citing his belief in abstinence outside marriage, as well as …
Poor Choices
Considering every player on the 2003 MLB steroid investigation list was informed of their positive test results, it’s obvious that David “Big Papi” Ortiz, of the Boston Red Sox, was well aware of the skeletons in his closet. Knowing this, it would have been a smart crisis prevention move for …
Horizon Management Group Hoisted on Own Petard
Twitter has been a fantastic crisis management tool for businesses, allowing them to provide one-on-one communication and service to more customers than ever before. For some reason, when Chicago-based Horizon Group Management LLC aka Horizon Realty Group came across the following complaint in a tweet (casually made in response to …
Soy Bean Sprouts Recalled
Chang Farm, River Road, Whatley, MA is issuing a voluntary recall of Soy Bean Sprouts produced by Chang Farms, with the specific sell-by date of July 17, 2009 because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes (L. Monocytogenes) contamination. Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal …
Have Some Sense!
Republican Governors Mark Sanford and Sarah Palin (abetted by her attorney) have made quite a spectacle of themselves over the past week, putting on a stunning display of poor crisis management. A post from Doug Fisher’s blog, “Common Sense Journalism,” sums it up beautifully. Who exactly is advising these folks? …
Damage Control
It’s a well known crisis management fact – if you do not give your story, your way, someone will step up and tell it for you. This of course leaves plenty of room for rumor and speculation, neither of which is healthy for your image. Take the saga of hockey …
Crisis Communication
Governor Carcieri blew it. In his press conference, he often referred to the individuals who had been killed as “bodies,” rather than “victims.” Rather than starting the news conference by assuring the public that his prayers and thoughts were with the victims and their families, he rambled for more than …
Communications Breakdown
“Why after the AIG spa scandal, the car manufacturers’ jet debacle and the bonus blow-up do corporate executives continue to make obvious missteps in the public arena that have led to growing anger among employees and the public? The answer is partially due to poor public relations and a deaf …
This Microphone ISN’T Off???
One of the first things I teach people when conducting media training is that you can NEVER assume a microphone is off, especially when you’ve been on or are about to go on the air. Luckily for my readers, Sue Simmons of NBC News 4 has demonstrated exactly what can …
Weathering the Storm
The primary goal of crisis management is to provide an organization strong moorings from which to weather the storm that is a breaking crisis through training, crisis prevention and response plans, etc. In this article from CNNMoney.com, management guru Jim Collins explains the ways in which great companies take advantage …
Different Approaches, Same Goals
Specialty communications firm CommCore Consulting has provided communications strategy, message development, communications training, and crisis planning to the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors for over 25 years. This article from the CommCore Observer takes a look at what we as businesspeople should aim to achieve through the use of two …
Did You Really Say That?
The Bimbo Awards take a tongue in cheek look at prominent figures placing their feet firmly in their own mouths. Created by Merrie Spaeth of Spaeth Communications, the criterion for nomination is that the quote causes the listener to believe exactly the opposite of what is being said. “The winning …
Media Training via Webcam
Increasingly, I’ve been able to encourage clients I have already media trained in person to use webcams to allow me to deliver “spot” media refresher training shortly before they are on the receiving end of what may be a challenging interview. As long as there’s a good broadband connection at …