The Chinese government’s decision to allow foreign news correspondents to interview anyone without prior permission is a major milestone for journalists around the world. But just as significant as the free press implications are the new challenges that this development creates for Chinese companies in crisis. Whether the issue has been melamine in baby formula and pet food or lead paint in toys, Chinese companies used to be able to shade themselves from the spotlight under ... Read More

With the grandeur and pageantry of the Beijing Games in the rearview mirror, observers are once again fearing it’s back to business as usual in China. The U.S. State Department is blasting the nation’s lack of progress on human rights and environmental issues are once again in the news. Perhaps most disturbing for consumers, yet another product safety crisis of epic proportions is shaking the world’s confidence in China’s products. The news that four infants have ... Read More

Yesterday, the September issue of Levick’s monthly e-newsletter, High Stakes, was published and I’d like to invite all the readers of Bulletproof to check it out. This month’s focus is on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and the communications strategies that can diminish the impact of an investigation or keep an international company out of hot water all together. With the number of FCPA prosecutions carried out by the U.S. government doubling between 2006 and 2007 – ... Read More

It’s a sad but true reality of the 21st Century that companies and governments must make cyber-crime part of their crisis communications plans. There has long been paranoia in the international business, information technology, and law enforcement communities surrounding hackers’ ability to invade private enterprise databases – and as such, best practices for communicating during such an event are proliferating every aspect of the global economy. But as a recent report from the British Government indicates, the ... Read More

With everyone putting down their daily newspapers and turning to the Internet as the primary source for news and information, world leaders, celebrities and corporations alike must find new avenues to capture people’s attention. Simply put, a high-profile placement in The Times is no longer enough to shape stories and change perceptions. It seems that Jordan’s Queen Rania has learned this lesson well – as she is the leading world leader in utilizing new media to ... Read More