BulletProofBlog the blog on crisis communications

As reported recently by the Financial Times, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband is concerned about the international trade implications of the upcoming presidential election. Specifically, Miliband says that the protectionist rhetoric he's hearing from both Democratic candidates raises fears that the next U.S. president will turn back the clock on globalization and erect barriers to free trade that could strain international commercial relationships around the world. From fears as to the safety of products coming from ... READ MORE

As reports detailing the potential toxicity of bisphenol A (BPA) continue to make headlines, companies that use the chemical to manufacture polycarbonate bottles are finding themselves in an increasingly difficult position. While the Food and Drug Administration states that "at this time, FDA is not recommending that anyone discontinue using products that contain BPA while we continue our risk assessment process," the plaintiffs bar is actively seeking class action clients - having already filed lawsuits in ... READ MORE

Thanks to one of the most memorable marketing campaigns of recent years, most of us are becoming familiar with Todd Davis - the Lifelock pitchman that broadcasts his social security number in television and radio advertisements as proof positive of his company's identity protection bona fides. What most of us didn't know, until the highly media-genic story was widely reported last week, was that Davis' identity has, in fact, been stolen at least once as a ... READ MORE

The disparate reactions of Brazilian businesses and green communities to the resignation of Environment Minister Maria Silva have once again shed light on a crucial communications issue of the 21st Century. At the heart of the issue are claims that Brazilian President Luiz Inacia Lula da Silva caved to businesses that felt Minister Silva was too aggressive during her six years in office. Minister Silva had long been a proponent of saving Brazil's vast forests and ... READ MORE

A recent Washington Post column highlighted a continuing trend confronting employers that are concerned about the after hours online activities of their employees. The Post article re-printed easily-searchable content found on social networking sites that was posted by teachers from throughout the Washington D.C. area, who no doubt assumed their information was privileged and secure. One such educator offered this tip: "Teaching in DCPS -- Lesson #1: Don't smoke crack while pregnant." A second elementary school teacher ... READ MORE

China's initiation of a three-day national mourning period for victims of last week's earthquake embodies the grief of a nation in a manner that is both respectful and poignant. Of particular import to communications professionals, the observance also shows that China has grown to understand the political and social value of showing a more human face to the rest of the world. Because China enabled global news coverage of the tragic events surrounding the earthquake, people on ... READ MORE

In an increasingly global marketplace, cooperation is as important as competition. That's one big reason why Visa is wisely launching an advertising campaign that focuses on the international feeling of goodwill generated by this summer's Olympic Games in China. Sharing the tagline, "Go World," the TV, print, and online campaign unveiled earlier this week stresses global harmony over the old paradigm of blind nationalistic competition so prevalent during the latter half of the 20th Century. Some critics of ... READ MORE

A recent New York Times story indicating that simple apologies are lowering legal costs and disposing of lawsuits in the realm of medical malpractice once again conjures images of the consummate crisis communications battle: PR guys on one side telling you to publicly repent; lawyers on the other side, demanding you stay mum, admit nothing, and say even less. As most professional crisis managers know by now, "no comment" is increasingly translated to mean "I'm guilty." It ... READ MORE

2007 has been dubbed the year of the recall. 2008 is shaping up to be the year of the recall response. The news that Wal-Mart will now require its suppliers of children's products to meet tough new safety standards that go beyond mere compliance with government regulations - which was reported in yesterday's Wall Street Journal by Joseph Pereira and Steve Stecklow - is just what the doctor ordered after a year in which more than ... READ MORE

As if we needed further evidence of the communications sea-change taking place before our very eyes, ABC executives announced today that they have created a new viewership measurement tool - demonstrating just how seriously they're taking marketer concerns over the long-term effectiveness of TV advertising in an age of decreasing broadcast audiences. According to Nielsen, prime time viewers have dropped by six million in just the last year. The move is consistent with recent reports that illustrate the ... READ MORE