In all of my dealings with corporate general counsels over the years, I’ve learned that the most effective and talented of the bunch share one common quality – the ability to anticipate legal and business issues lurking around the corner and thus limit exposure. These counselors have their fingers on the pulse. And as such, they offer their bosses in the boardroom and C-Suite what they often need most – a glimpse at what’s next. Ten ... Read More

The recent launch of jazzy new consumer networking platforms by food giants General Mills and Kraft Foods demonstrates the recognized power these online tools have in maintaining brand loyalty and in engaging consumers – especially young ones – with ideas, products, and messages. General Mills has launched an online network called Pssst... in an effort to “build stronger relationships with our consumers.” The network, which invites feedback from consumers on what they like and don’t like, ... Read More

A recent story in the National Law Journal looks at the range of legal problems employee blog posts – whether they’re sanctioned or not – can create. In the article, attorney Zachary Hummel claims that some employers give free rein to employees on corporate blogs as a way to monitor morale in the workplace. While (possibly) well intentioned, this approach does not bode well for a company’s digital presence. Just like it is incumbent on employers ... Read More

A study conducted in the United Kingdom and released this summer by the global risk management and security firm Control Risks provided some interesting insights for communications managers around the globe. The study found that – among other things – a majority of those surveyed have heard people talking in public about sensitive business information, left a thumb drive lying on a desk, read proprietary information on public transportation, and engaged in a host of other ... Read More

Last weekend, Richard Levick gave a speech before hundreds of bloggers at the BlogWorld Conference in Las Vegas. He focused on how the blogosphere has forever changed the crisis communicators’ craft and what we all must do to adapt to an evolving new media landscape. For those of you that couldn’t make it to Vegas, I offer an example of what happened there not necessarily staying there. Richard gave an interview with Blog Talk Radio shortly ... Read More

With Melamine – the toxin at the root of last year’s pet food adulteration – back in the news, the retailers and manufacturers that will be forced to deal with just the latest China-related product safety scare should take a page from a crisis playbook classic. This week marks the 26th anniversary of the Tylenol tampering crisis. To this day, the famous 1982 incident is presented as the successful case study in how corporations should handle ... Read More