Last week’s Business Matters podcast, now available as a 20-minute .MP3 file, took a look at the various aspects of Toyota’s landmark crisis by interviewing several professionals, including Bernstein Crisis Management President Jonathan Bernstein, on what it all means to Toyota and their customers. Although the recall is already being …
Social Communities
In a crisis, consumers need honest answers and they need them fast –- and no messaging vehicle is better suited to meet this demand than those fueling the crisis in the first place. Transparent engagements in the online communities, where your customers already live, provide a credible and direct channel …
Keeping the Wolves at Bay Preview
Jonathan Bernstein’s “Keeping the Wolves at Bay: Media Training” is the “how to” guide for anyone who may have to deal with the media in any capacity. Full of tactics learned through nearly three decades of crisis management and media training, this book will prepare you for situations that are …
SeaWorld Crisis
The fatal mauling of a SeaWorld trainer by a killer whale has placed the theme park in a precarious position. As a business that thrives on the attendance of families, anything that creates the perception of risk is a danger. The company didn’t hesitate to start crisis management though, and …
Toyota’s Troubles
Toyota’s recent string of problems has caused significant damage to its once-spotless reputation in the U.S.. Not only did the company’s leaders stall far too long before launching a crisis management campaign, but when they did it was clearly not a priority. Early this month, the automaker finally began making …
Open for Conversation
We often say that social media is a conversation, and what we mean by that is unlike traditional broadcast and print mediums, which are often one-directional, social media is very much a two-way channel. Not only can businesses communicate with their customers, but their customers can communicate with them and …
Google Dodges a Bullet
Last week, Google launched an add-on to Gmail called Google Buzz. Almost immediately, the world howled with complaints that the product exposed users’ privacy by publishing lists of followers made up of the people a user e-mailed and chatted with most. This made Google Buzz a danger zone for reporters, …
High Stakes Litigation & Crisis Communications Podcast March 24
More and more often we are seeing successful lawyers and law firms reaching out to crisis management experts to manage their client’s message in the public eye. Regardless of how things are “intended” to run, a strong communicator can educate stakeholders and minimize reputation damage for those involved. On March …
What’s Important to You May Not Satisfy Your Stakeholders
Simply stating your case and letting it lie is a path that leads quickly to crisis. Unfortunately for many, this realization comes long after the time to act has passed. Recently, a WebWorkerDaily article interviewed several crisis management experts, including Jonathan Bernstein, and offered these thoughts on the right way …
Flashpoints
This week’s guest article by Jacquelyn Lynn, managing editor of Flashpoints, sticks to the theme of crisis management in the workplace, offering several effective tips for stopping rumors before they can take hold. To subscribe to the free Crisis Manager newsletter, just click here. The BCM Blogging Teamhttps://www.bernsteincrisismanagement.com/
Gibson Beyond Glib
Mel Gibson’s reputation took a major blow three years ago due to highly publicized issues with alcohol and apparent anti-Semitism. After making his apologies, Gibson took himself out of the public eye for a time. Recently the actor has been in the media promoting his new movie, “The Edge of …
Pat Robertson is a Bimbo
Televangelist Pat Robertson is no stranger to controversy. Last month, though, the Christian Broadcasting Network founder, who is a regular in the media, really outdid himself. Known for delivering quotes which would cause any traditional businesses’ crisis management team to blow several blood vessels, his latest comments earned him one …
Demon Sheep Cause Crisis
Carly Fiorina’s “Demon Sheep” ad, part of her campaign targeted at landing one of California’s Senate seats, is getting a lot of attention. Unfortunately for her, this type of attention usually means you’ll be spending a lot of time with your crisis management team. Here’s a sample of one reaction, …
John Edwards’ Crisis Management Emergency
The ball of sordid tales and blatant lies that makes up one-time vice presidential candidate John Edward’s personal life continues to unravel in the public eye, and with it goes a reputation and image which had been carefully pieced together through years of work. In an article for The Atlantic, …
AA’s Crisis Management Prep Pays Off
A false Twitter post, sent out shortly after the Haiti earthquake, stating that American Airlines was offering free flights to the island, caused the company to be flooded with phone calls, emails and many, many Tweets. The problem was exacerbated when popular Tweeters, including film critic Roger Ebert, re-Tweeted the …