Farmers put social media to work in combating a devastating drought The reach and flexibility of social media makes it an ideal crisis management tool, even in industries that are thousands of years old. When a crushing drought put the crops of farmers across the U.S. in danger, they turned …
High-Flying Crisis Management
Natural solution for a nature crisis When flora and fauna present us with crises, we’re quick to look toward technology for a quick fix. Often, however, there’s a more natural solution. This quote, from an OC Register article by David Bro, explains how the city of San Clemente is putting …
Pingdom Gets “We’re Sorry” Right
Editor’s Note: The following mea culpa email was so surprising in its quality and thoroughness that our friend Crockett Dunn had to pass it along, and we thought we’d share it with you. Major kudos to the Pingdom team for doing online reputation management right. Subject: Bug temporarily affected monitoring …
Bic’s “For Her” Crisis, or How to Play Ostrich
Nonexistent crisis management from the pen maker Are you a woman? Are those manly black, white, red and blue pens keeping you from writing? Well look no further, because Bic’s “for Her” line is here! Yes, we’re being sarcastic, but no, we aren’t making up the “for Her” line. Industry …
Colleges Use Social Media to Defuse Bomb Threats
Crisis management that reaches its intended audience This past Friday, the University of Texas at Austin and North Dakota State both received bomb threats from unidentified individuals. The obvious first step after receiving such a threat is to clear the area, but how do you notify the tens of thousands …
No “Likes” for Facebook’s Crisis Management
What drives a social media innovator to sit silent while his stock plummets? With Facebook stock, one of the most anticipated public offerings, well…ever, sinking from day one, you would think that the company would be eager to trot out the man who brought it all together, THE face of …
Yosemite’s Deadly Hantavirus Crisis
Widespread exposure calls for crisis management with reach Camping is a summer mainstay for many, but if you decided to take your family to California’s famed Yosemite this year, you’re probably feeling a bit nervous right now. Hantavirus, a bug few of us even knew existed, has leapt into the …
The Crisis Show Ep.12 – Recalls, Apple Leak, Montreal Shooting and…
The Crisis Show’s 12th episode aired this week, and as usual hosts Jonathan Bernstein, Rich Klein, and Melissa Agnes had no shortage of topics to discuss. Two shooting incidents shocked the public this week, one at a PQ Montreal Victory Rally and another at Pathmark in New Jersey. The foul …
Skip the Spin
Editor’s Note: The following post is from Jerry Brown’s Monday Morning Media Minute newsletter. For a case study on the dangers of spin, check out the guest submission from Tony Jaques on our Free Management Library blog. Have you ever listened to someone flawlessly deliver a perfectly honed message — …
CDC Combats West Nile with Web Content
Using web education for crisis management With the Centers for Disease Control reporting 1,590 cases of West Nile so far this year, 2012 officially holds the record for highest number of West Nile infections since the virus was first detected in the U.S. some 13 years ago. To help combat …
Yeah We Lost Your Kid, So What?
Appallingly poor online crisis management from United Airlines United Airlines was riding a wave of social media success following the Olympics. With Facebook contests and Twitter stunts accompanying pictures of returning athletes embracing United staff, the campaign was a mounting success. Suddenly, the Monday after closing ceremonies, a new and …
The Crisis Show Ep. 10 – Akin, West Nile, Sports Crises, and that’s not all!
In the latest episode of The Crisis Show, hosts Jonathan Bernstein, Rich Klein, and Melissa Agnes welcomed guest Karen Freberg, assistant professor in Strategic Communications at the University of Louisville and adjunct faculty member for West Virginia University. The crisis management mishaps continue to roll in, and we covered the …
Crisis Management for the Long Haul
Think beyond the short term when it’s crisis management time It’s a very common crisis management mistake – you see an issue, think of a quick solution, and POOF, it’s fixed in the fastest way possible. Problem is, a “quick fix” has a strong chance of becoming a damper on …
How to Trash a Political Career in 15 Seconds or Less
Rep. Akins reputation is beyond crisis management “Legitimate rape.” If you don’t know what I’m referring to, prepare to be shocked. This weekend, Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) was the guest on a St. Louis TV news program. A vocal opponent of abortion, Akin should be used to answering questions related …
Progressive’s #Crisisfail
Don’t let lawyers control your crisis management Progressive has made a fortune branding itself as the “everyman” of the insurance world with its kitschy commercials, but a major crisis management failure has caused the brand harm it could have avoided. At the heart of the controversy is a Tumblr created …