Public relations crisis management counsels that brands should own their mistakes promptly, apologize when there are victims and communicate how they are making things right. Red Lobster’s CEO Kim Lopdrup did that yesterday. For many… Continued
Reputation
Hearing Shows Dr. Fauci is a PR Pro and a Scientist
May 12th, 2020 by Seth ArensteinThe early portion of this morning’s Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pension (HELP) Committee hearing didn’t produce the communication bombshells some had anticipated when a NY Times article late last evening revealed a portion of… Continued
‘Where’s the Beef?’ Is Going Viral (Again). How Are Meat Industry Communicators Responding?
May 6th, 2020 by Sophie MaerowitzAs meat processing plants around the U.S. close temporarily due to COVID-19 outbreaks, the supply chain disruption has started to reach consumers. Bulk retailer Costco has limited beef and ground pork sales per customer, as… Continued
How Mariah Kennedy-Cuomo Masked Her Dad’s Poor Communication Skills
May 5th, 2020 by Seth ArensteinWhat to do when you have trouble communicating and there’s an important message to send? Qualification: You’re an ineffective communicator in the eyes of your 25-year-old daughter. And to make things more complex, you happen to be governor of the country’s coronavirus epicenter?

Cruise Lines, Care Facilities Fail After COVID-19 Media Attention Arrives
May 5th, 2020 by Katie PaineOur crisis communications columnist Katie Paine assesses the responses to the coronavirus-related media attention from elderly care facilities and the cruise line industry. She finds the messages of both groups missed the boat.
Health and Safety Will Remain Top of Mind Post-Pandemic
May 3rd, 2020 by Seth ArensteinA PR and marketing maxim holds that you can never know too much about members of your audience. With so much possibly changing during the pandemic, what PR pros and marketers know about their audiences… Continued
A Pox on Both Your Houses: PR Pros Split on Reputation Hit from PPP Debacle
April 30th, 2020 by Nicole SchumanThe federal government that created the flawed small-business loan program and large brands that received the money will suffer reputation damage equally, senior PR executives said in a PRNEWS survey. Essentially split down the middle,… Continued
Poll: Will Brands Suffer Reputation Damage from the PPP Dust-up?
April 28th, 2020 by Seth ArensteinThe PPP loan program was supposed to help small businesses that the coronavirus ravaged. How, then, did ‘small businesses’ like the Los Angeles Lakers, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and AutoNation apply for and receive money?

Show Consumers How You’re Keeping Them Safe
April 27th, 2020 by Mark RenfreeIf you’re doing contactless pick-ups, taking online orders, having staff and shoppers wear masks and gloves and following protocols based on best practices for social distancing, your customers need to know.
Does Amazon Firing Show PR Counsel on Reputation is Moot in the New Normal?
March 31st, 2020 by Seth ArensteinAmazon yesterday confirmed it fired employee Chris Smalls, who organized a walkout at an Amazon warehouse in NY.