Just a
Thought
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"The
concern of your
brain is not to
see the actual
nature of
reality, but to
represent the
reality to you
in such a way
that suits your
needs."
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From
the Editor
Hatchimals.
Opinions on them
vary from "Aww how
cute!" to, "I must
burn this."
Personally I think
it's amusing that
someone found a
way to recreate
the Furby rush and
nobody seems to
remember that load
of nonsense from
the 90's, but I
digress.
This
hard-to-get
holiday toy burst
onto the scene as
the "must-have"
item for 2016, and
countless parents
scoured stores or
resorted to paying
inflated prices to
deliver them to
their kiddos in
time for the
holidays.
Hatchimals parent
company, Spin
Master, has
already faced
complaints of the
toys failing to
perform as
promised - namely
by not escaping
the "egg" it's
shipped in.
Considering this
was a major
selling point,
angry videos,
tweets, and shares
of all kinds
documenting the
frustration of
parents and agony
of small children
whose expectations
were dashed
quickly flooded
the internet.
Not
to be outdone,
people whose
Hatchimals
actually...hatched...found
a way to hop on
the outrage train.
Take a good look
at our "Just a
Thought" for this
issue before you
watch the video
below, one of many
where it's claimed
that Hatchimals
are swearing at
their owners.
A SpinMaster
spokesperson
shared the
following
statement with CNN:
"Hatchimals
communicate by
speaking their
own unique
language, which
is made of up of
random sounds,
and by making
other noises,
including
shivering when
they're cold and
snoring while
they sleep. We
can assure
consumers that
Hatchimals do
not curse, nor
do they use foul
language."
Spinmaster
also told CNN that
it's had to
increase the
number of customer
service reps it
has available as a
result of the
issues, probably
not what they
expected when
their product
first started
flying off
shelves.
What's
the moral of this
holiday tale?
Perhaps it's that
if you're on top,
be ready for
controversy.
Whether real,
manufactured, or a
blend of both, you
shouldn't be
surprised when it
comes your way.
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Attention any
readers in Israel!
|
Jonathan
Bernstein, our
company president,
will be visiting
Israel from May
1-11, 2017, and
always loves the
chance to meet
"Crisis Manager"
readers and other PR
colleagues when
overseas.
If you'd like to
connect with him
during the trip,
write to jonathan@bernsteincrisismanagement.com. |
Interested in
reprinting BCM
articles or blog
posts?
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We're
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reprinted in hard
copy or online!
If you find
something you would
like to reprint,
simply submit a
request to jonathan@bernsteincrisismanagement.com.
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Blogs
|
Here,
we share a
look at some
of the most
popular posts
from recent
weeks:
When
false 'facts'
become
headlines, The Fake News Phenomenon has taken over. Join us as
we examine
this problem
and suggest
ways to avoid
falling
victim.
Between
phones
lighting on
fire and
washers
blowing their
top, Samsung
took quite a
beating late
in the year.
In Samsung's Share Buyback Gambit we look at the
company's
current
situation and
what it's
doing to
address
stakeholder
confidence
around the
globe.
Do
you have a
topic you'd
like to see
featured in
our blogs?
Send an email
to erik@bernsteincrisismanagement.com
and there's a
good chance
you'll be
seeing it
right here in
the next
issue!
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Business
Announcements
(aka blatant self-promotion)
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if you could
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Are
There Any Holes
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Your organization may well have crisis prevention
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We're
Giving Away Keeping
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Several
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Social
Media Crisis
Training
A solid social
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About
Us
Jonathan
Bernstein is
both publisher
of Crisis
Manager and
president of
Bernstein Crisis
Management,
Inc., a national
crisis
management
public relations
agency providing
24/7 access to
crisis response
professionals.
The agency
engages in the
full spectrum of
crisis
management
services: crisis
prevention,
response,
planning &
training. He has
been in the
public relations
field since
1982, following
five-year stints
in both military
intelligence and
investigative
reporting.
Write
to Jonathan at:
Erik
Bernstein is
vice president
of Bernstein
Crisis
Management, and
editor of this
newsletter.
Working in
crisis
management since
2009, Erik has
watched the
internet and
social media
change the
field. Today, he
brings that
experience to
bear assisting
clients to
protect and grow
their
reputations
using tactics
based on
real-world
knowledge and
experience.
Write
to Erik at:
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