BulletProofBlog the blog on crisis communications

Two key provisions in the Dodd-Frank financial regulatory reform bill that became law on July 21 are likely to provide activist investors with greater leverage in setting executive compensation – further tipping scales away from historical management-led control. The first is a measure that requires U.S. companies to disclose the ratio between CEO pay and that of their average employee. The second will provide shareholders with a mandatory, non-binding “say on pay” – or an advisory ... READ MORE

As part of a continuing series of Bulletproof Blog™ video interviews with thought leaders across multiple disciplines and industry sectors, I recently sat down with Stasia Kelly, an Of Counsel with DLA Piper, to discuss the key elements of corporate crisis response in an age of increased transparency and accountability. Having served in key leadership positions at Sears, Roebuck & Co.; WorldCom; and AIG during several of the most highly-scrutinized corporate crises of our time, Ms. ... READ MORE

Despite bipartisan support in Congress and the backing of President Obama, legislation aimed at strengthening America’s food safety infrastructure for the first time in decades remains stalled in the U.S. Senate. In the wake of the massive salmonella outbreak that has resulted in at least 1,300 illnesses and the recall of more than half-a-billion eggs, that’s almost certain to change. In a recent conference call with reporters, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Associate Commissioner for Food ... READ MORE

As part of a continuing series of Bulletproof Blog™ video interviews with thought leaders across multiple disciplines and industry sectors, I recently sat down with Suzanne Folsom, the former Vice President, Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer, and Deputy General Counsel at AIG, to discuss how companies can best navigate an increasingly tough regulatory environment. Ms. Folsom was hired by AIG after the determination of the material weakness in 2008. Her primary responsibility was to coordinate and ... READ MORE

In a recent article published by The Government Contractor, David M. Nadler and David Yang of Dickstein Shapiro LLP discuss a recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit that could lead to significant increases in government contractor liability under the False Claims Act (FCA). The ruling handed down in U.S. ex rel. Miller v. Bill Harbert Int’l Constr., Inc. is focused on the question of whether retroactivity provisions within the Fraud ... READ MORE

Late yesterday, as the last U.S. combat brigade remaining in Iraq was making its way for the Kuwaiti border, Obama Administration officials confirmed what everyone in the defense industry already knew – that the significant drawdown in U.S. military forces in Iraq will require greater numbers of stability operations contractors to keep the peace and protect fragile infrastructure. As Operation Iraqi Freedom segues to Operation New Dawn – a State Department lead mission that will primarily ... READ MORE

As part of a continuing series of Bulletproof Blog™ video interviews with thought leaders across multiple disciplines and industry sectors, I recently sat down with Doug Brooks, President and founder of IPOA, the Association of the Stability Operations Industry, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the stability operations industry as the United States prepares a significant drawdown of combat troops from Iraq. During our chat, Mr. Brooks provided insight into IPOA, its mission, and the ... READ MORE

As companies seek to enhance anti-corruption controls in the face of increased regulator and media scrutiny, it should be noted that there are a number of benchmarks against which any effective compliance program can be measured. There are U.S. Federal Sentencing Guidelines; Transparency International's Business Principles for Countering Bribery; the World Economic Forum’s Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (WEF PACI); the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Good Practice on Internal Controls, Ethics and Compliance; ... READ MORE

As part of a continuing series of Bulletproof Blog™ video interviews with thought leaders across multiple disciplines and industries, I recently sat down with Nick Allard of Patton Boggs LLP to discuss the state of lobbying at a time of significant reputational focus for the industry. With politicians and others (from late night comedians to think tanks) rarely missing an opportunity to criticize the lobbying profession in recent years, Mr. Allard is quick to remind us ... READ MORE

As the U.S. House and Senate begin conference negotiations on a final financial regulatory reform bill that is expected to reach the President’s desk by the July Fourth recess, proponents of the legislation are aggressively articulating that “the most far-reaching financial regulatory reforms in generations” are, at their core, a victory for the people over the powerful. This is a powerful message indeed. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner has said that the bill “will restore the financial ... READ MORE