Each month, we look at new terms picking up steam in the crisis landscape. In this month’s Buzz Box, we explain “Cryptoviral Extortion” and “Internet of Behavior.”
Stories by Seth Arenstein


Social Risks Seen Rising Yet Resources for Battling Online Threats Remain Flat
May 18th, 2021 by Seth ArensteinOne of the communicator’s domains is online, where, among other things, they monitor social conversations about the company. As such, corporate leaders see them as having intimate knowledge of social and they’re the first call where online risk is involved.

W.W. Norton Drops Roth Biography, Gets Only Mixed Reviews from Crisis Pros
May 18th, 2021 by Seth ArensteinThis month’s Crisis Averted shows how a terrific campaign for a lucrative product can go awry quickly. The story touches on a bevy of things: crisis readiness, immediate and more measured reaction to crisis, #MeToo, cancel culture, media, social media, tremendous irony and a large cast of characters.

If Everyone Knows How to Respond to Crisis, Why Are So Many Fumbled?
May 18th, 2021 by Seth ArensteinWith so much reporting of how botched crisis response can harm companies and organizations, why do we continue to see so many crises mishandled? Crisis veterans Ayme Zemke and Gene Grabowski dive into this complex topic.

Study Finds 40% of C-Suite Thinks DE&I is a ‘Waste’ of Time, Resources
May 14th, 2021 by Seth ArensteinA new study reveals that nearly 40 percent of C-Suite leaders and almost the same amount of staffers think DE&I efforts are a “waste” of time and resources. Still, a large majority of those surveyed see DE&I as critical to recruitment, retention, reputation and the bottom line.

Young Voices: PRSSA President Brings Experience to First PR Job
May 13th, 2021 by Seth Arenstein[Editor’s Note: In the Young Voices series, PRNEWS profiles new communicators who discuss the industry, skills and what they wish they’d known before beginning work, among other things. If you’d like to suggest a communicator for this section,… Continued

State’s Suit Against Publicis Health Illustrates PR’s Exposure
May 7th, 2021 by Seth ArensteinIt’s good news that the business community continues to elevate the importance of PR and marketing. On the other hand, this recognition can bring unintended consequences. An example is the suit Massachusetts brought against Publicis Health for its alleged role in helping Purdue Pharma sell opioids.

Lessons from Peloton’s Treadmill Recall Reminiscent of Other Crises
May 6th, 2021 by Seth ArensteinFrom a PR viewpoint, Peloton is a good news/bad news story. First, the relatively good news. Peloton apologized yesterday (May 5) for failing to act promptly on reports that its secondary line of equipment, treadmills,… Continued

A Chat with Dexter Hunter-Torricke, Lead Communicator, Facebook Oversight Board
May 5th, 2021 by Seth ArensteinHow would you like to lead communications for the new Facebook Oversight Board, which was created to adjudicate content-moderation issues for the behemoth social platform? For Dexter Hunter-Torricke, his greatest challenge, right now, is explaining to the public what the board is and does.

Advice for the First George Floyd Anniversary: Communicate Authentically and with Purpose
May 5th, 2021 by Seth ArensteinThe one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s killing occurs this month. In anticipation, communicators are pondering several scenarios.