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So, You’re Testifying on Capitol Hill

By TJ White for O’Dwyer’s Something bad has happened: The organization you’re tasked with leading and defending has found itself in the crosshairs of Capitol Hill. Removing, for a moment, what’s occurred that has brought you to this crossroads, it’s important to look at the facts: • You have very little time to prepare. • […]


A Clean Water/Sewage Utility Offers a Season’s Greeting That Even Hallmark Would Envy

All year long, Coke, Apple, Nike and other large companies spend megabucks to create a 30 or 60-second ad for the Christmas season or the Super Bowl to win the hearts and dollars of consumers. This year, Hennes Communications gives our Top Holiday Tip of the Hat Award to…The Greater Cleveland Regional Sewer District.  Just […]


Lessons From a School on Handling a Social Media Crisis

By Thom Fladung, Hennes Communications Whether in-person or virtual, the kids are still in school.  For the moment, however, this will be a class for the adults – and class is now in session on how to handle a social media crisis. On a Labor Day Sunday some time ago, the leadership team at a school […]


Should Legal Advice Take Precedence in a Crisis?

Our good friend and colleague, Dr. Tony Jaques, is a prolific writer and commentator on risk, issues and crisis management.  Based in Melbourne, Australia, he consults and has written three books in the field, also producing his must-read newsletter, Managing Outcomes. Tony’s latest book is titled Ten Things Law School Doesn’t Teach About Crisis Management.  Read below to […]


A Swift Reputation

Time Magazine chose Taylor Swift as Person of the Year, offering a jump-off to examine the challenges faced by CEO’s and nonprofit executives in today’s climate of intense consumer activism and digital scrutiny, highlighting how modern boycotts and activism can cause lasting reputational damage to brands, unlike in the past. The article emphasizes the need for […]


Corporate Crises — and Reputational Recovery — Have Changed

By Mark Penn for Harvard Business Review Historically, companies faced crises related to their products, services, or governance. Think Boeing and 737 Max crashes, Chipotle and burritos contaminated with E. coli and Wells Fargo creating millions of fake bank accounts. And historically, these companies’ reputational recovery, as measured by the Harris Poll’s Reputation Quotient, followed […]


Why Are Corporate Boards Doing the Opposite of What Consumers Want?

By Kimberly Whitler, Julia Mahoney and Mary Kate Cary for Directors & Boards The recently released third-quarter results for AB InBev, the company formerly known as Anheuser-Busch, were stark. U.S. revenue and EBITDA declined by 13.5% and 29.3%, respectively, driven by a decline in Bud Light sales following the April 2023 Dylan Mulvaney influencer debacle. […]


An Attorneys’ Guide To Crisis Communications & The Court Of Public Opinion

Need an end-of-the-year CLE? An Attorneys’ Guide To Crisis Communications & The Court Of Public Opinion Monday, December 11 9:00 am – 10:30 am eastern time 1.5 hours of CLE | Online via Zoom only To register, click here Today, with the ubiquity of the internet, the legal battlefield must include the Court of Public […]


When ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ are Not Enough: Why it’s Time to Humanize Crisis Statements

In the wake of the Uvalde school tragedy, the frequent call that “thoughts and prayers are not enough” resonated deeply. This sentiment underscores a growing numbness towards standardized expressions of empathy and compassion, which, while well-intentioned, often fall short in the face of real crisis. As these phrases become routine, their ability to truly address […]


Speak Up or Shut Up? The Great Communication Conundrum

Tony Jaques, Director of Issue Outcomes Pty Ltd, is both colleague and friend.  Writing from Australia, he offers solid advice about when to speak – and when not to speak.  Let’s see what he has to say… When you’re in the public spotlight over a high-profile issue, the first question is often: “What shall we […]


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