In the most general terms, “risk communications” takes place before something actually happens. According to emergency management expert Dr. Jeff Rubin, “In the preparedness business, engaging the public is a necessity and a challenge. Effective risk communication includes identifying audiences and understanding how they perceive the messages we broadcast. With that in mind, with tongue […]
[By Nora Jacobs] Short of prison time or financial ruin, businesses and other organizations probably fear media coverage of their problems more than any other threat confronting them. Media, of course, love to leap on stories laden with conflict, guilt and incompetence, so it’s a justified fear. Good crisis communication response strategies make sure clients […]
When the New York Times decides to pursue a major story, there are often days, weeks or even months of work that must be done before the article is published. Here, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Matt Apuzzo tells his reporter colleagues how to investigate you. Even if you don’t work for a powerful institution likely to […]
[By Nora Jacobs] 2014 was a rocky year for reputation management – from the NFL and Hollywood, to Main Street USA and the corporate board room, entities of all sorts lost ground due to both bad behavior and bad communications. As we embark on a new year, here are six resolutions designed to protect your […]
[By Bruce Hennes] In a recent New York Times article, reporter Alina Tugend wrote “It’s not enough just to offer up the facts about you or your company. You need to be compelling, unforgettable, funny and smart. Magnetic, even. You need to have a good story.” Tugend is right, suggesting that people are often attracted […]
[by Howard Fencl, APR] Interacting on Twitter can be a powerful reputation-building tool. But if you haven’t considered that skeleton in the closet, prepare for a bash-fest that could reduce your hard-earned reputation to rubble. This week, comedian Bill Cosby and celebrity doc Mehmet Oz naively engaged the Twittersphere. Trolls attacked mercilessly. On Monday, serial […]
[by Nora Jacobs] Over the years, we’ve spoken to countless clients about the crisis threats their organizations might face. Many willingly accept that their business might be struck by an act of God — tornados, floods and fires most often come to mind. But a surprisingly large number of clients seem to feel immune to […]
[by Howard Fencl, APR] For all the things we do not yet know about the deadly Ebola virus, we do know this: it mercilessly attacked Texas Presbyterian Hospital’s reputation. No hospital in the United States had yet diagnosed a patient with Ebola when Thomas Duncan showed up sick at the Dallas hospital on Sept. 25. […]
[by Bruce Hennes] According to Reputation Dividend, a company that helps quantify the economic value of reputation for publicly held businesses, few CEOs would argue that their corporate reputation isn’t one of their company’s most precious assets. Giving thought to the difference between ‘brand’ and ‘reputation,’ Sandra Macleod writes, “The value and importance of a […]
[by Nora Jacobs] We’re unaware of any insurance policy you can buy that will protect your organization from experiencing a crisis. There are, however, several proven steps you can take to significantly enhance your crisis response capabilities. Here’s a short checklist to get you started: 1) Assess your threats. Determine the most likely events your […]