BulletProofBlog the blog on crisis communications

While most companies have demonstrated a mastery of the blogosphere, Facebook, Twitter, and myriad other social media platforms when it comes to marketing their products and brands, most remain a full Internet-generation behind when it comes to bringing these tools to bear in crisis. As United Airlines, Apple Computers, Amazon.com, Domino's Pizza, and countless others have learned in just the last year, the Internet has fundamentally changed crisis management. The days when companies could wait 24 ... READ MORE

For someone who's been such a vehemently outspoken critic of the media since first landing in the national spotlight nearly a year ago, Governor Sarah Palin sure has made it easy to fill those column inches and cable news segments. As she announced her resignation on Friday, she went a step further - providing a gift that keeps on giving in the form of countless opportunities to speculate about the reasons why she quit and where ... 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 Frank P. DiPrima of the Law Office of Frank DiPrima in Morristown, NJ. Mr. DiPrima has been co-counsel in the derivative law suit against Richard Scrushy, founder of HealthSouth Corporation. In its June, 2009, decision in Wade Tucker v Richard Scrushy et al., an Alabama court awarded plaintiffs $2.876 ... READ MORE

Each week, Bulletproof Blog features exclusive interviews with thought leaders on issues of critical importance to companies and countries. This week, on the heels of the National Retail Federation's (NRF) Loss Prevention Conference and EXPO, we interview Ellen Davis, NRF Vice President of Industry Public Relations. During her tenure at NRF, Ms. Davis has been responsible for evaluating NRF positions on a variety of retail topics including e-commerce, consumer spending, the economy, and loss prevention. A ... READ MORE

Since my article for Forbes.com was posted yesterday, debate over whether South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford should resign has grown and festered, confirming our view that he accomplished nothing in his press conference except to fan the gathering flames. No such debate has raged over the suitability of Nevada Senator John Ensign remaining in office, nor is it likely to. Meanwhile, Michael Jackson's tragic death may have eclipsed the story, but the damage to Governor ... READ MORE

Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking at the National Retail Federation's Loss Prevention Conference in Los Angeles - and if one point was driven home for me more than any other, it's that retailers operate in an almost perpetual state of crisis. During my session with NRF Communications Vice President Ellen Davis, and in the conversations I had with conference participants throughout the week, I was reminded of the kinds of challenges that businesses ... READ MORE

This morning on CBS' Early Show, I was asked to discuss the political future of John Edwards - an intriguing concept, no doubt, for people who may assume that, with respect to this particular politician, "political future" is a contradiction in terms. But if we've learned anything about politics in America, it's that anything is possible. There are at least three fundamental steps Edwards must now take on the road to political recovery (at whatever level ... READ MORE

If you are one of the 60 percent of Twitter users who have deserted their accounts after a month, it's time to reconsider your participation. The world's third most popular social networking site has relevance for all consumer companies. Ignoring what is being said about your brand in this space is no longer an option - just ask Domino's, KFC and AT&T. Right now customers, vendors, employees and the media are discussing your brand. Following their ... READ MORE

Today, AT&T responded to current subscribers angered by its decision to not subsidize an upgrade to the new iPhone 3G S for every current iPhone owner. Bulletproof readers will recall we first addressed this issue last week as the crisis appeared to be spiraling out of control absent any messaging from AT&T.  The company has since announced that any customer eligible for the full subsidy within the next three months can immediately upgrade at a ... READ MORE

The FDA is at it again. The latest product to fall victim to the newly-energized agency is Zicam, an over-the-counter cold and allergy product that some users claim has damaged their sense of smell. Unlike prescription drugs, over-the-counter remedies like Zicam don't require FDA approval before they go on the market. But since 2007, companies have been required to report what are called "adverse events" related to their products. After the agency spotted the Zicam complaints ... READ MORE