Predict misuse before your launch or pay with reputation after the fact Microsoft’s Tay AI was supposed to be a cute publicity tool and experiment in one. “Tay” was supposed to communicate with users via Twitter, Kik, and GroupMe in the voice of a teenage girl, using AI learning to …
Forever 21 Left Apologizing for Inappropriate T-Shirt
Honest mistake or trolling for media coverage? It may seem obvious that a t-shirt emblazoned with the message, “Don’t say maybe if you want to say no.” is a major no-no, especially with heightened sensitivity to the issue of consent that’s risen across the nation. Yet, supposedly, this very shirt …
Chipotle Needs to Worry About Procedure Before PR
Chipotle has brought on a new PR firm to help it navigate its way out of its foodborne illness crisis, but until it hammers out apparent issues with procedure in its locations around the country no amount of effort will lead to a recovery. When a Chipotle in Billerica, Mass. …
Dangerous Trend: Over-Confidence and Crisis Management
Knowing the risks and actually being ready for them are very different things What’s more dangerous than not preparing for crisis management? How about believing you are ready when you’re not even close? A major study from Deloitte recently looked at the beliefs of board members when it comes to …
Crisis Management Quotables…on Storms and Tempest
Reputations are forged in crisis Greek thinkers keep making their way into Crisis Management Quotables. To me the appeal is not so much their statements are spectacularly profound, but rather that they perfectly summarize a piece of the human experience. Take today’s quote, from philosopher and founder of the deliciously indulgent Epicurean school of thought, …
Pacquiao Latest Example of Risks of Celeb Sponsorships
Nike leaves boxer in the dust after anti-gay comments create uproar Just because someone is popular doesn’t mean they’re right for your brand. Just ask Nike, who quickly dumped boxer and aspiring politician Manny Pacquaio after he bashed homosexuals during a televised event in the Philippines and continued his tirade …
Crisis Management Quotables…on What Google Says
Search is king when it comes to reputation When someone widely hailed as a driving force behind the digital revolution speaks up about the internet, there’s probably a bit of thought behind it. Chris Anderson was a long time writer for The Economist, is a former editor-in-chief of WIRED magazine, and has published …
3 Crisis Management Predictions for 2016
Looking to the future The field of crisis management is constantly changing. Whether it’s the technologies we use, the tactics we employ, the audiences we communicate with, or who makes use of our services, even the most experienced find themselves looking toward the future and wondering, “What’s next?”. Awareness of …
Chipotle and the Cost of Crisis
A hard look at what happens when the market loses faith in your brand There’s a lot out there discussing the importance of reputation and the harm crises can do to a brand or organization. When it comes to making the call to spend a serious chunk of budget on …
Crisis Management Quotables…on a Dialogue with Millions
Communication is now a two-way street whether you like it or not You don’t wind up leading teams at organizations like Fast Company and Inc. magazine unless you have your finger on the pulse of the modern world, and our featured quote for this first Crisis Management Quotable of 2016 …
3 Questions to Help Steer You Clear of Social Media Blunders
Quick tips to save you from cringe-inducing mistakes Looking at lists like ClickZ’s “10 most cringeworthy social media” is painful. Not only because of the harm these organizations inflict on themselves, but also because so many of the mistakes are quite easy to avoid. Although the possibility of being completely …
[Infographic] The Importance of Online Reputation
Stats on the power of online reputation Trying to push a case with gut feeling is rarely the most effective. Facts make the best proof, and a solid presentation like that found in this TrustYou infographic helps make it clear why more and more organizations are investing in online reputation …
VW Sales Tumble Amid Continuing Crisis
Lack of communication and sluggish response compound and already bad situation Most everyone was surprised when Volkswagen sales stayed strong immediately following the automaker’s emissions scandal breaking. While stock price tumbled, dealers were reporting that cars were moving off the lot just fine. Now, that story is changing. According to …
VTech Breach – Lax Security and Weak Crisis Communication
Missing compassion leaves response lacking The sheer number of data breaches we see these days has desensitized people to a certain extent, but what happens when children are suddenly thrown into the mix? Earlier this month, hackers snatched the personal information of nearly 5 million parents who had registered with …
[Infographic] The Importance of Online Reviews
Stats to help shed some light We can’t say it enough – online reviews can and do have a major impact on most every organization that finds themselves listed. You can’t control whether you’ve been listed, you can’t stop people from sharing their thoughts, so it’s time to pull your …