BulletProofBlog the blog on crisis communications

Last week, Jerry Levin, the former CEO of Time Warner, did an extraordinary thing. In discussing Time Warner’s failed merger with AOL during an appearance on CNBC, he took full responsibility for presiding over what he called “the worst deal of the century.” In so doing, he provided a template of effective crisis leadership that is worthy of study. “I take responsibility,” Levin said. “It wasn’t the board. It wasn’t my colleagues at Time Warner. It ... READ MORE

News that the U.S. Department of Agriculture allowed Beef Products, Inc. to treat raw hamburger with ammonia to destroy bacteria, while also exempting the Chicago-based meat packer from routine ground-beef inspections, will create even more suspicions about the government’s ability to safeguard the nation’s food supply. It’s also a case study in how companies and government agencies must do more to reassure consumers in this age of accountability. BPI’s ammonia-processed beef has become a huge part ... READ MORE

Each week, Bulletproof Blog features exclusive interviews with thought leaders on issues of critical importance to companies and countries. This week, as directors of public companies continue to grapple with emergent issues affecting board scrutiny and accountability, we interview David Leach of ECG, an expert in linking compensation and governance with overall corporate strategy. Given the current state of corporate governance, what should boards of public companies be doing now to demonstrate that they are leading ... READ MORE

In times of adversity, there is nothing more important than surrounding yourself with the right people. Effective crisis management always starts with an abundance mentality - a desire to first understand as many different perspectives as time will allow before seeking to be understood by the myriad stakeholders that are awaiting your next move. That's how strong leaders find the win-win in any situation, how they turn adversaries into partners, and how they identify opportunity ... READ MORE

Each week, Bulletproof Blog features exclusive interviews with thought leaders on issues of critical importance to companies and countries. This week, as an increasing number of indicators point to impending economic recovery, we spoke with Greg Farrell, a reporter for the Financial Times who had a ringside view of the best and worst financial communications strategies deployed during the economic crisis. Mr. Farrell believes that communications was a key contributing factor to the survival or failure ... READ MORE

In a speech before the New York City Bar earlier this month, Robert Khuzami, the new Director of the Division of Enforcement at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), outlined the steps he's taking to enhance investor protection across the board. Coming on the heels of Chairman Mary Schapiro's moves to eliminate the "penalty pilot" program, the SEC can now move faster to approve formal orders of investigation - and, thus put a stop to abusive ... 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 Michael Vaughan, a partner at Kansas City's Walters Bender Strohbehn & Vaughan, PC, a nationally recognized trial firm that has distinguished itself on both the plaintiffs and defendants side in complex business litigation. Mr. Vaughan's firm represents plaintiffs in Thomas v. U.S. Rand NAND in which Missouri consumers, alleging ... READ MORE

Today, it seems that CEOs are blogging, tweeting, and friending at a pace once reserved only for teenagers, professional athletes, and pop stars - and why not? With digital and social media overtaking television, print, and radio in terms of relevance and reliability, if you're not sharing messages online, then you're not being heard in the venues that most audiences migrated to long ago. Before making their first foray into the blogosphere, CEOs must understand that ... 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 Maria LaHood, Senior Staff Attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR). Ms. LaHood practices international human rights litigation, seeking to hold government officials and corporations accountable for torture, extrajudicial killings, and war crimes abroad. In June 2009, the CCR scored a resounding victory when Royal Dutch Shell agreed ... READ MORE

At the turn of the century, Sarbanes-Oxley brought about an era of unprecedented corporate transparency. Today, the current global financial crisis has put the spotlight on corporate accountability. As a result, boards of directors must not only take a more active and engaged role in how their companies respond to myriad crisis situations, they must also understand how an impending regulatory sea change will impact their responsibilities and liabilities. In this month's edition of Levick's e-newsletter, High ... READ MORE