BulletProofBlog the blog on crisis communications

Each week, Bulletproof Blog features exclusive interviews with thought leaders on issues of critical importance to companies and countries. This week, with the current economic crisis and an increasingly inter-connected global community driving sweeping changes in the legal profession, we interview incoming American Bar Association President Carolyn Lamm. In addition to being one of the world's foremost legal minds on issues of international arbitration, international trade, and international commercial litigation, Ms. Lamm has been named a ... READ MORE

According to a memo leaked by the Washington Post, food and beverage manufacturers are now at work devising public relations and lobbying strategies to prevent government bans of bisphenol A (BPA), a controversial chemical used in the linings of metal cans and lids. The notes of the private meeting held last week show that industry executives are especially concerned about the views of young mothers, who often make purchasing decisions for households and who are most ... READ MORE

The term "carbon capture and sequestration" (CCS) is showing up more and more often in the news these days, thanks in large part to the Obama Administration's new push for tougher air pollution controls. Unfortunately, many people not directly involved in the public policy debate over greenhouse gas emissions and global warming think CCS sounds strange and even a bit scary. Just another example of how scientific reality often has a hard time catching up to ... READ MORE

P.T. Barnum's old expression that "all publicity is good publicity" doesn't always hold true in the realm of crisis communications. In fact, it rarely does. But as controversy swirls around accusations that recently crowned American Idol Kris Allen won the title via voting irregularities, as opposed to god-given talent, producers of the hit series might be wise to take those words to heart. At the center of the issue are reports that AT&T employees attended viewing ... READ MORE

In this regular feature, Bulletproof interviews top plaintiffs' attorneys for their perspective on the crises likely to affect businesses in the near future. Today we talk to Anne C. Vladeck of New York's Vladeck, Waldman, Elias & Engelhard, P.C., one of the best-known employment/labor plaintiffs' firms in the profession. Ms. Vladeck discussed a fundamental employment issue particularly relevant during deep, lingering downturns. How does a recession, and particularly a recession as deep as the current one, ... READ MORE

President Obama last week announced his intention to end Bush Administration rules that were written to protect companies from product liability litigation in state courts. While consumer advocates and trial lawyers cheered this move against federal preemption, business leaders widely see it as a full-employment act for the plaintiffs' bar that will likely result in a significant uptick in lawsuits and the reputational liabilities that go along with them. What many businesses find most troubling about ... READ MORE

Each Monday, Bulletproof Blog features exclusive interviews with thought leaders on issues of critical importance to companies and countries. This week, we interview Nell Minow, editor and chairwoman of the Corporate Library, an independent research company that evaluates Boards of Directors. Ms. Minow was named one of the 20 most influential people in corporate governance by Directorship magazine and "the queen of good corporate governance" by BusinessWeek Online. What is your perception of how effectively boards handle ... READ MORE

Amid rampant speculation regarding his NFL future, Michael Vick is trying to rebuild a stained reputation and return to the public's good graces. Just two days after his release from jail, he's now working a blue-collar construction job and taken a step toward creating the image of the humble team player many Americans want the former NFL star to be. Even though every news outlet is clamoring to be the first to interview the former Atlanta ... READ MORE

With all of the companies that have recently announced layoffs, plant closings, and the shuttering of retail stores, it's no surprise that workers around the world are wondering if their job is next on the chopping block. In times like these, the importance of effective internal communications in maintaining productivity and protecting the corporate brand cannot be overstated. In the May edition of Levick's High Stakesâ„¢ newsletter, we revisit strategies for communicating commitment to those hardest hit ... READ MORE

In this regular feature, Bulletproof interviews top plaintiffs' attorneys for their perspective on the crises likely to affect businesses in the near future. Today we talk to Douglas B. Abrams of Raleigh, NC's Abrams & Abrams, P.A. Mr. Abrams, a leading advocate for plaintiffs in automotive disasters, talked about evolving liabilities as well as likely systemic changes that will define vehicle safety in the years ahead. How do you see the new Administration and Congress affecting ... READ MORE