The #MeToo Backlash — The Crisis is Just Beginning

Erik Bernstein crisis management Leave a Comment

Why every organization is vulnerable to #MeToo allegations When humans are oppressed and repressed long enough and finally find a channel for venting their feelings, for finding justice, we sometimes overreact.  Riots occur, with innocent individual and businesses damaged (or worse).  Sometimes entire governments are brought down by such action …

When Legal Meets PR – ‘outside the box’ cease and desist letters

Erik Bernstein litigation-related crisis management Leave a Comment

Turning potentially negative communications into positive PR opportunities Welcome to When Legal Meets PR! Today every legal move has potential for PR ramifications and vice versa. That’s why it’s critical that your legal and PR work in tandem to produce the best possible product for the situation. In the first …

Media Training Tips: Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes

Erik Bernstein media training Leave a Comment

Empathy is key to reaching your target audience Have you ever tried to resolve an argument with a loved one without acknowledging their feelings first? Have you ever started apologizing, only to be told, “That’s not even what upset me in the first place!”? Doesn’t work too well, right? Despite all …

Tools You Can Use When the Media Goes Too Far

Erik Bernstein media relations Leave a Comment

We’ve been speaking out about what’s now been coined “fake news”, an overall lack of fact-checking, and unethical behavior from the media for many years. While many journalists strive to honestly bring news to the people, there are just as many today who have nothing in mind beyond getting as …

Why your official spokesperson isn’t the only one who needs media training

Erik Bernstein media training Leave a Comment

Is a lack of preparedness for media interest leaving you vulnerable to crisis? So you have an official spokesperson and they’re media trained to the point that they’d get your message across no matter what the situation. That’s a valuable asset to be sure. But, are they the only one …

[Guest Post] To Avoid a Reputation Crisis Don’t Do What I Did!

Erik Bernstein reputation management 1 Comment

To Avoid a Reputation Crisis Don’t Do What I Did! On October 7, 2014 my life blew up.  I was serving as First Lady of Oregon, partner to the Governor who was running for reelection.  A notoriously mudslinging reporter who had been after me for years finally found something from …

[Guest Post] Leveraging technology in unique ways to expand emergency notifications

Erik Bernstein emergency management Leave a Comment

[This guest post, which dives into the many ways emergency notification systems can be used to reduce the impact of crises, was written by Sean Bergesen was originally shared to the Omnilert blog.] Today, the ways to notify your people are practically endless. They are registered to receive text messages …

Why You Need the 3 C’s of Credibility in Your Communications

Erik Bernstein crisis management 1 Comment

3 simple items guaranteed to improve your messaging Credibility. It’s what every communicator strives for, especially when you’re discussing a crisis situation. And, it’s what many communicators fail to achieve – not through lack of speaking or writing skill, but because they’ve presented the information without demonstrating the Three C’s. The …

Crisis Management Quotables…on a Different Vision

Erik Bernstein crisis management quotables Leave a Comment

Thoughts on language and communication Federico Fellini is one of the most influential filmmakers of all time, which automatically gives him some credibility when it comes to insight on how people think (in my book at least!). Let’s head straight into the quote, we’ll talk about what it means to …

Guest Post: Weasel Words Scream Insincerity

Erik Bernstein crisis management Leave a Comment

[Editor’s note: The following guest blog came to us from David Kalson, Partner, Beacon Advisors in reaction to our Feb. 28 newsletter “PwC Steps into La La Land”. If you have thoughts on crisis management and would like to share reach out to erik@bernsteincrisismanagement.com.] In his Feb. 28th newsletter, Jonathan Bernstein pointed out …

Analyzing Another J&J Baby Powder Case

Erik Bernstein crisis management, litigation-related crisis management 1 Comment

Setting the tone for nearly 2,000 pending cases A St. Louis jury deliberated for barely three hours before returning with a $70 million award for a woman who claimed decades of using baby powder resulted in her being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Johnson & Johnson has been battling claims like …

Crisis Management Review: HP Sneaks in Update Blocking 3rd Party Ink

Erik Bernstein crisis management 1 Comment

The dangers of deception When HP quietly pushed out a “security update” that caused many of its printers to stop working with third party and recycled ink cartridges that had been fine the day before, consumers and activists were outraged. This outrage was fueled by several issues, including environmental concerns and …

Skittles Steers Away from Trump Controversy

Erik Bernstein political crisis management Leave a Comment

You aren’t dragging this candy company into a political debate When Donald Trump Jr. tweeted a picture of a bowl of Skittles to support his take on the Syrian Refugee crisis the @Skittles twitter account was flooded with users tagging them and otherwise referencing Jr’s post. Instead of playing ostrich or …

Samsung Crises Spin out of Control

Erik Bernstein recall crisis management Leave a Comment

Suds won’t clean this crisis up The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is actively and cooperatively working with Samsung to address safety issues related to certain top-load washing machines made between March 2011 and April 2016. CPSC is advising consumers to only use the delicate cycle when washing bedding, …