BulletProofBlog the blog on crisis communications

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

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

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

The recent widely-publicized shooting at Wesleyan University opened a wound that has been trying to heal since Columbine. With the recent anniversaries of both the Columbine and Virginia Tech tragedies, we are reminded once again of the crucial role communications plays during crises that can shake public confidence to its roots. Wesleyan has been commended for its rapid and effective response in notifying students about the shooting. School officials sent students emergency voicemail and text messages ... 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 Betsy Atkins, Chairman and CEO of Clear Standards, a leading provider of enterprise carbon management and sustainability solutions. She is also a current or former member of more than 20 corporate boards, including Reynolds Tobacco, the NASDAQ LLC, Chicos, Sunpower and Polycom. As a board member at Lucent Technologies during the bursting of ... READ MORE

In case you were wondering whether words matter, consider the term "swine flu." Pigs can't contract the H1N1 virus that causes the illness that bears their name. Nor can humans catch the flu from contact with pigs or from eating pork. But the name "swine flu" persists, and pork producers around the world are now being forced to defend their products against allegations that they harbor a deadly virus. Despite considerable effort to substitute "H1N1" for "swine ... READ MORE

First the facts: The nation's food supply has never been safer. The number of reported illnesses caused by common food-borne pathogens such as E. coli, salmonella, and listeria continues to decrease year after year. Now the unfortunate reality: Public concern over food-borne illnesses has never been greater - thanks in large part to a recent uptick in food recalls (and the media attention they generate), even as the real threat diminishes. Why the apparent disconnect? Because public ... READ MORE

Each Monday, Bulletproof Blog features exclusive interviews with thought leaders on issues of critical importance to companies and countries. This week, we speak to Daniel Richards, Chief Executive Officer of Global Rescue, which provides medical, security, evacuation and crisis response services to corporate and individual clients around the world. A former investment banker and private equity investor, Mr. Richards has an acute sense of how this work applies to businesses in crises of every type.  What ... READ MORE