BulletProofBlog the blog on crisis communications

From Starbucked.com to Againstthewal.com, gripe sites - or Websites and blogs that solicit and publish consumer complaints directed towards a particular product or company - are popping up on the Internet with increasing frequency. But according to a piece published in The Wall Street Journal last week, companies are finally indentifying ways to fight back. Thus far, the preferred course of action has been to buy up the domain names that may one day be used ... READ MORE

The news media, legal eagles and Wall Street all seem to agree that the recent $100 million jury verdict in favor of Mattel, Inc., the maker of Barbie, against Bratz doll maker MGA Entertainment represents only a symbolic victory. That's because the amount the world's biggest toymaker won in the case is so much less than the $2 billion in damages it sought. But while the scale of Mattel's victory remains the subject of debate, a ... READ MORE

Last month's comments by Frank Quattrone at a Silicon Valley conference are of ongoing interest for market watchers and communications professionals alike. Now Entrepreneur Quattrone (formerly known as Banker Quattrone), who endured years of investigation over obstruction of justice charges (eventually dropped), argued that the enforced separation of investment banking from stock market research needs to be ended because it denies small companies access to research analysts and therefore impairs American competitiveness. Current restrictions prohibit investment banks ... READ MORE

In another sign that companies are increasingly using the Web to solicit their customers for creative ideas, Crest toothpaste is asking YouTube fans to develop the slogan for its new wintergreen ice flavor. From September 15 through October 17, consumers are invited to submit videos featuring their take on the brand in 10 words or less. The winning phrase will be used in late fall and winter television spots advertising the new flavor. And to pique ... READ MORE

We saw it with the failure of Bear Stearns back in March - and last week with the implosion of IndyMac and the near-collapse of Wachovia. In a down economy, rumor and speculation can carry the weight of fact. Throw in Information Age technologies that provide investors and account holders with instant access to Wall Street gossip, and what you've got isn't recipe for a run on a bank, but rather an all-out sprint. Today, financial services ... READ MORE

Last week's reports that flawed practices at major Wall Street ratings firms played a significant role in the mortgage meltdown represent a serious branding crisis for firms whose business models and reputations are built on a foundation of trust and objectivity. The SEC's findings - chief among them are revelations that agencies put profits ahead of reliable ratings by failing to respond to drastic workload increases with like increases in staffing and training - call into ... READ MORE

As Chinese state-owned funds step up their global investment initiatives, they may very well face a xenophobic backlash in the U.S. and elsewhere. Americans are already apprehensive about Chinese ownership of so much national debt - and the idea of increased Chinese ownership of American assets could compound that anxiety if the proper inroads are not established. While protectionist messages will likely figure prominently in the public relations strategy employed by opponents of Chinese investment, such ... READ MORE

While InBev's proposed takeover of Anheuser-Busch has already provided for a great deal of commentary in this space, it seems the fight is only just beginning. With this week's announcement that A-B is now suing InBev over Cuban business connections that could potentially lead to violations of the Trading with the Enemy Act if the deal goes through, the battle for Budweiser - and a number of other highly-visible beer brands - has intensified dramatically. And, more ... READ MORE

A recent Dennis K. Berman column in the Wall Street Journal seems to confirm the realization of what many boards fear most in a sluggish economy - activist shareholders are taking greater control of corporate governance. Berman points out that since 2006, activist shareholders have been awarded board seats at 218 companies - of which only 28 were the result of proxy fights. He goes on to point out that activist shareholders "have already won or ... READ MORE

Anyone who has witnessed organized labor movements or environmental demonstrations would find it hard to believe that companies and activist groups can actually get along from time to time. But as NGO's increasingly exert greater influence around the world, CEOs on the global stage are taking note and recognizing that sometimes the best way to neutralize an adversary - especially when that adversary is perceived to have right on its side - is not a fight, ... READ MORE