Resource Hub for Strategic Communication Professionals
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Protecting Your Organization After Employee Separation
Recently, a post appeared on Burger King’s Instagram page announcing that they were firing their social agency of record, Dentsu, for failure to perform. The kicker? Ad Age reports Burger King denies any such thing. We can only speculate, but it seems possible the post was created by a disgruntled employee—current or former—from either the Dentsu or Burger King social teams.
Do I Delete That Comment?
Social media can be a powerful tool for engagement, but it also comes with the challenge of managing public commentary. When an off-topic remark, a negative critique, or outright hate speech appears in the comments section, the question arises: do you delete it? The answer depends on context, and having clear guidelines in place can help you navigate these decisions with confidence.
The Critical Role of Internal Communication During a Crisis
During a crisis, communications internally has to come first, and without a crystal-clear internal communications strategy, employees can be left in the dark, anxious, and unprepared to navigate the situation. Leaders in a crisis must move quickly and handle multiple tasks simultaneously. This is possible when you have a plan.
Not a Luxury, A Need: A Crisis Comms Plan
A crisis plan is often a neglected area of communications planning—until a crisis hits, leaving you scrambling. No organization–regardless of how outstanding its work–can escape reputational risk, and a poorly managed crisis can escalate quickly into a full-blown PR disaster.
What Does Waffle House have to do with Hurricanes?
Even as unofficial channels, brands and influencers can play an important role in helping with disaster preparedness.
Clarity Rating Scale: Comms Lessons from an On Air Panic Attack
Your are a meteorologist, and you have a history of panic attacks. The very place you need to work — the green screen — is a trigger for you. What do you do?
Storm Response Excellence: A Leader’s Internal Email Praises OPPD and Models Great Comms
I received the note below from Omaha World-Herald alum and Comms Pro Erin Grace sharing her praise for Omaha Public Power District’s (OPPD) communications to clients following a wind storm that took out power to over 200,000 homes, some for over a week, with highs in the 90s.
Strategic Comms Missteps and Tech Failures: A Tale of Two Scenarios
While technology can amplify messages and streamline information dissemination, its improper use or technical failures can lead to significant miscommunications or even security risks.
Don't Get Duped: Effective Ways to Counteract Misinformation
The field of strategic communications functions on the tenets of accuracy, timeliness, clarity, and truth. Misinformation undermines these principles.
Sticky Business: When Brands Should (or Shouldn’t) Enter Political Arenas
Sticker Mule, a well-known and successful custom sticker company, took an unexpected dive into political waters last week by sending a political message to its customers after the attempted assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Crisis Comms and Shade at the Espy Awards
The ESPY Awards gave viewers a chance to see a variety of communications approaches, from the use of crisis communications response to address a controversial award acceptance to evening a score with cutting humor.
Update: Scottie Scheffler’s PR Response
The conclusion to Scottie Scheffler’s visit to Kentucky.
Clarity Rating: Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler, #1 ranked golfer in the world, was arrested before the 2024 PGA Championship. What can we learn from his communications strategy?
Established Channels Save Lives
Why clarity in communication is critically important in times of weather-related crisis.
A Crisis is Brewing: To Speak or Not to Speak?
What will your organization choose? Strategic statement or strategic silence?
The Debut of “Interview with a Pro”
Join us for the debut of "Interview with a Pro," featuring Teresa Paulsen’s expanded analysis on the Kellogg's “CerealGate” incident.
Clarity Rating Scale: Kellogg’s and a Looming Customer Boycott: What Happened and Why so Quiet?
Kellogg's CEO Gary Pilnick's comments about eating cereal for dinner amid financial strains have sparked a backlash and calls for a boycott.
Clarity Rating Scale: Outage at AT&T
AT&T's handling of a recent widespread service outage provides valuable lessons in crisis communication.
Short Messages Can Be Tricky: What Did Kansas’ Gov. Laura Kelly Say About the Super Bowl Shootings?
Crafting a concise and effective message during a crisis is challenging yet crucial.
Ulcer Rating Scale: Crisis Communications Satire Health Effects
The EO Report introduces the "Ulcer Rating Scale," a satirical yet insightful tool to gauge the health effects of these high-pressure scenarios.