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The Role of the Board in Preparing for Extraordinary Risk

From Nora Aufreiter, Celia Huber and Ophelia Usher writing for McKinsey & Co…. The pandemic has been a stark reminder for many organizations that they are insufficiently prepared for crises that could not merely destabilize them but put them out of business. In this episode of the Inside the Strategy Room podcast, our board perspective series looks at […]


Who Should Take the Lead in a Crisis?

With no barriers to entry, every public relations firm in the U.S. – and many around the world – now appear to offer “crisis communications.” They don’t. At least, all of those who claim to don’t. Crisis work requires a different – and often counterintuitive – skill set from the traditional practice of public relations.  […]


Zelensky Shows the Power of Persuasion During Time of Crisis

From Evan Nierman, writing for The Hill… Whether he is reporting news in cryptic sound bites on Twitter or speaking from a gloomy subterranean bunker or darkened streets, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to demonstrate the enormous impact of harnessing powerful messages and sharing them with the right tone and authority. In addition to his undeniable bona fide […]


Fighting Putin’s Propaganda: Narrative Response Toolkit

From our colleagues at Lynn PR in the United Kingdom, written by Stefan Rollnik… President Putin is waging two wars which are mutually reinforcing.  One with bombs and one with information. In seeking to pollute the information space with bad information, contradictory information and downright lies, Putin is blurring the lines of reality and making […]


The Reputational Risks Of Doing Business In Russia

By Maja Pawinska Sims, writing for PRokeMedia… Over the past two weeks, we have seen an unprecedented brand exodus from Russia. International brands that have been present in the country for many years have made the decision to pull out of their operations, as a direct consequence of president Putin’s own decision to invade Ukraine. […]


Make the Case to Defend Yourself in the Court of Public Opinion

By Howard Fencl, Hennes Communications I was jolted back to the Stone Age by an attorney’s email on a thread batting back and forth a media statement I’d help craft in response to outrageous allegations in a frivolous lawsuit filed against our mutual client. The attorney’s reaction to the draft statement: “Litigators always advise ‘no […]


Corporate and Social and Political Engagement: An Introduction

By Alexandra Reed Lajoux, writing for Directors & Boards… Corporations  have the right to free speech. Should they exercise that right? Should corporations take public stances on social issues? Should they make contributions to political action committees or political parties? Under what circumstances do such actions create issues for corporations and their boards? These questions […]


The Best Guide to Spotting Misinformation Online

The Poynter Institute is a global leader in journalism.  It is the world’s leading instructor, innovator, convener and resource for anyone who aspires to engage and inform citizens.  Poynter champions freedom of expression, civil dialogue and compelling journalism that helps citizens participate in healthy democracies. Poynter prepares journalists worldwide to hold powerful people accountable and promote […]


I’ve Been a Hostage Negotiator for Kidnapped Journalists Like Daniel Pearl. Here’s What I Wish Everyone Knew.

From Daniel Levin, writing in The Forward… Today marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Daniel Pearl, the American journalist who was kidnapped and then brutally murdered by terrorists in Pakistan on Feb. 1, 2002. Danny’s death affected me deeply — his abduction on the way to an arranged interview at a Karachi restaurant, […]


A General Counsel Provides Counsel on Crisis Communications

Maria Feeley, chief legal officer for Washington and Lee University, has seen her share of crises, at Washington & Lee as well as Rosemont College, the University of Hartford and Florida A&M, where she’s worked or served on boards. Think about whether you’d like to be faced with any of these: A social media firestorm […]


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