ImPRessions

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations • September 19, 2018

Can A PR Agency Be Too Loyal?

Should PR people be loyal advocates for clients? The obvious answer is yes. How can you be persuasive with others if you yourself aren’t convinced of a brand’s worth? But is there such a thing as too much client allegiance? I don’t mean blind support in the face of malfeasance or unethical conduct. I’m talking […]

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, leadership, public relations, reputation • September 14, 2018

PR For The "New" Technology CEO

For CEOs of technology companies, arrogance is out and humility is in. “Boring is the new black,” proclaims New York Times tech columnist Farhad Manjoo in a piece about the latest trend for technology company chiefs. Whereas they once reveled in being colorful, brash, and outspoken, today’s leaders have quieted down a bit. The trend […]

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, marketing, public relations • September 4, 2018

Nike’s Kaepernick Campaign Is Brilliant — And Risky

As many in PR and politics have observed, the president has a talent for exploiting cultural flashpoints. The NFL’s battered reputation has been attributed in part to his criticism of players who chose to take a knee during the national anthem at the start of many games. But Mr. Trump may have met his PR […]

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • August 22, 2018

Customer Service Is The "New" PR

The best PR agency in the world can’t hold a candle to employees who are empowered to do the right thing. That was my thought when I read @scottmonty’s tweet about an incident involving a Wisconsin Costco. Monty’s screengrab recounted the experience of a resident stranded by heavy rains and flooding. Apparently the staff of […]

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • August 9, 2018

Twitter’s Alex Jones Problem Goes Beyond PR

Twitter stepped into a PR mess this week when it broke ranks with peers and declined to suspend conspiracist Alex Jones from its platform. The decision came after most tech giants hosting InfoWars content – Apple, Facebook, Spotify, and YouTube — removed at least some of its pages or broadcasts in response to public pressure. […]

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions • August 1, 2018

Why Lies Beat The Truth On Social Media

There’s more bad news on the “fake news” front. It seems lies are more viral than truth – at least on Twitter. That’s the conclusion of a study recently published in Science magazine. Conducted by the MIT Media Lab, it was unprecedented in scope. It analyzed 126,000 distinct “rumor cascades” that spread on Twitter from […]

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, reputation • July 25, 2018

How Not To Apologize

Terrible explanations for terrible behavior are perversely fascinating — especially to PRs and professional communicators. They’re also instructive. It takes a well-crafted and sincere apology to explain away repugnant speech or actions, and even the best mea culpas can fall short. But lately there have been some doozies. In an episode unlikely to be matched […]

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, leadership, public relations • July 19, 2018

When A Founder Does PR Damage

For a fast-growing startup, a dynamic founder can be a huge PR asset. A charismatic entrepreneur is the face of his brand, its best media spokesperson, and the embodiment of its values. The most talented can attract a top workforce and inspire it to achieve beyond expectations. From Steve Jobs to Marc Benioff, the examples […]

ImPRessions, public relations • July 10, 2018

The Thai Cave Rescue And The Power Of Storytelling

Until they were located, I’d no idea that 12 boys and their coach were trapped in a flooded cave in northern Thailand. But once the news broke, I was hooked. And I wasn’t alone. The national fascination tells us something about PR, storytelling, and ourselves. Why was the plight of the stranded Thai boys so […]