Increasing safety in business and community Disaster preparedness agencies often use graphic images or shocking stories in an attempt to scare people into getting prepared for crises. With 44% of U.S. adults admitting to not having basic first-aid kits, and 48% no emergency supplies, it’s obvious that approach isn’t working …
The Crisis Show Ep. 6 – Aurora, CO
This week’s episode of The Crisis Show featured some seriously hot topics. The theater shootings in Colorado took a front seat, with our hosts discussing the implications, as well as some possible ways to detect the potential for violent crises early on. Following that up, Jonathan Bernstein, Rich Klein, and …
Alleged Delta Employee’s Reddit Posts Create Crisis Management Stir
Respond when your reputation’s threatened The popularity of social media has certainly opened up organizations to new types of crises. For a perfect example, take a look at how a poster on Reddit.com, claiming to be a Delta Airlines employee, responded to a complaint about poor baggage handling: “People get …
Crisis Management Know-How is Prerequisite for Success, Say 65% of Global CCOs
Know it, use it, or be left in the dust Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of global chief communications officers (CCOs) say that crisis management experience is today’s prerequisite for success. This requirement has nearly doubled since the survey debuted in 2007 when 33 percent said the same. These findings come …
The Crisis Show Ep. 5 – with guest host Merrie Spaeth
This week on The Crisis Show, hosts Jonathan Bernstein and Rich Klein covered the top stories in crisis management alongside special guest Merrie Spaeth, former director of media relations for President Reagan. Crises are breaking as fast as we can cover them, and this week our experts had a host …
Crisis Management Tips After a Network or Computer Hack
Editor’s Note: The following guest article by John Dayton explains in detail how to protect your business from the very real dangers of the Internet. The events of the past several years have left no doubt as to the necessity of having a clean and secure network. If you’ve got …
Japan’s Nuclear Disaster a Man-Made Crisis
Crisis management failures create big problems Yes, a large tsunami did strike near Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Fukushima No. 1 power plant, but findings in a report from the Japanese Parliament’s independent investigation commission indicate that it was a series of entirely man-made problems that created a crisis situation. The …
The Crisis Show Ep. 4 – A $3B Drug Scandal, Toyota, Swedish Tweets
Corporate crises bring crisis management lessons The Crisis Show’s fourth episode was webcast live last night as hosts Jonathan Bernstein, Rich Klein, and Melissa Agnes once again covered the biggest stories in crisis management. The failings of corporate giants was a big topic this week on The Crisis Show. GlaxoSmithKline …
Obama Campaign Turns Attack Ad Against Attackers
Smooth crisis management from the Obama administration The U.S. Presidential race is heating up, and with it comes the opportunity to observe crisis management situations on a grand stage. When the oil-rich Koch brothers launched a multimillion dollar attack ad against the Obama administration, a response was required (remember, allowing …
The Crisis Show Ep. 3 – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
What’s going on in crisis management? Have you caught The Crisis Show yet? Every week, Jonathan Bernstein, Melissa Agnes, and Rich Klein combine their talents to pick apart the good, bad, and straight out ugly crisis management stories that are making the front page. In the third Crisis Show, our …
Smartphone Growth Dramatically Increases Crisis Management Threat
110 Million smartphones are watching! In 2007, just under 3% of the U.S. population owned a smartphone. Today, it’s 35%. Nearly 110 million Americans. A more-than-tenfold increase in five years! Those astounding figures from comScore Data Mine have profound implications for your organization’s crisis preparedness. Out of any crowd of bystanders, a …
Talk to Your Online Community in Times of Crisis
Crisis management calls for constant communication One of our most-used sayings here at Bernstein Crisis Management is, “in the absence of communication, rumor and innuendo fill the gap.” Never has that been more true than now, where the line between accredited media member and amateur e-reporter is almost completely blurred. …
They Call it an “Ambush”
Crucial crisis management advice for a common conundrum Editor’s note: Many thanks to crisis management/community relations pro Judy Hoffman for allowing us to publish the following article. Perhaps you have heard the term “ambush interview.” It can mean several different things to media trainers like myself. The dictionary defines ambush as …
Rumors Cause Crisis Management Catastrophe
Catch trouble early to prevent crisis management nightmares It was a blood-boiler of a story, a menacing tale of government gone too far: The Environmental Protection Agency was spying on Midwestern farmers with the same aerial “drones” used to kill terrorists overseas. This month, the idea has been repeated in …
A Crisis in One Culture May Be Commonplace in Another
It depends on the culture [Editor’s note: We’re pleased to bring you this article from crisis consultant Tony Jaques.] While the Internet and online technology is rapidly flattening out cultural differences, an incident in Australia provides a reminder that what might be commonplace in one country can trigger a reputational …