Crisis Communications Done Right – Powerful Lessons
When the going gets tough, the tough get going—with words and action. Nowhere is this more apparent than in CEO Tony Fernandes’ response to the crash of AirAsia flight 8501.
4 Tips to Communication Success in 2015
One of the hallmarks of successful business and nonprofit enterprises […]
Resolution #1: Don’t Do Stupid PR in 2015
Now is the season of resolutions, the promises that we will make to do better. As PR and communications professionals, I hope we will all resolve not to do stupid PR, the cheap tricks in order to get attention for our clients.
5 Rules for Constructive Outrage on Social Media
Elizabeth Lauten, formerly the communications director for Rep. Stephen Lee Fincher (R-Tenn.), is the latest casualty of nasty and thoughtless social media postings.
Word Mongering: How NOT to Get Anything Written
Several years ago, while working with a client -- who shall remain nameless to protect the not-so-innocent -- I found myself stuck in word-mongering hell. As told in the Huffington Post this week, we were drafting an op-ed piece for a major metropolitan daily about a timely subject.
The Paper: A Communications Vehicle You Can Really Feel
An extraordinary front page of last week’s Washington Post stopped me in my tracks and sent me back to the grocery store cash register to grab an actual paper. And I have the late Ben Bradlee to thank for it.
Swift Branding
An article in The Washington Post that caught my attention this week chronicles Taylor Swift’s brilliant lead-up to the release of her next album. In keeping with our spotlight on branding this week, let’s look at this as a story about how to fortify an already powerful and strong brand.
Integrity in Branding: “Where’s the Beef?”
From The Washington Post to the Patriot Ledger of Quincy, Mass., newspapers and digital outlets have peppered the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic this week with articles about Giant Food’s decision to change its meat labels, then change them back.
PR Disasters (and How to Avoid Them)
The last few months have seen a cornucopia of PR disasters. My friend and colleague Rob Deigh sent around three links highlighting some embarrassing gaffes in the fashion industry. Then there was a seriously flawed ad campaign for Malaysian Airways.
Strategic Communications: Why is Asking “Why?” So Difficult?
Little children are not afraid to ask, “Why?” Why is the sky blue, why do I have to eat broccoli…and the list goes on and on. In contrast, big corporations and organizations seem to be afraid of the “why” question preferring to focus on the “what” and even the “how.”