leadership

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, leadership, public relations • December 6, 2019

Can Big Business Save America?

We seem to be in a crisis of confidence. Public faith in many institutions – organized religion, Congress, and the news media — has eroded over four decades. According to Gallup, only the U.S. military has enjoyed a fairly consistent upswing in public confidence since the 1970s. The change seems particularly acute lately in our […]

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, leadership, public relations • June 26, 2019

When The CEO Should Be The PR Spokesperson

Public relations teams and their agencies routinely urge leaders to build a public profile through social media and high-level content. But when should the CEO of a major company serve as its public spokesperson? How should a public role align with an organization’s business goals? Research by Chief Executive magazine and the USC Annenberg Center […]

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, 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 […]

Crenshaw Communications, crisis management, ImPRessions, leadership, public relations • February 27, 2018

A PR View Of Brands In The Crosshairs

When should a large company take a political stand? Some PR experts would say never. And you can’t blame big companies if they want to avoid public debates about the causes of gun violence, climate change, or other politicized issues. But increasingly, corporate America is being asked to pick a side. It seems there’s more […]

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, leadership, public relations • April 19, 2017

The PR Case For The Social CEO

Not long ago, a chief executive could lead a business, even a large one, fairly quietly, leaving public relations and social media management to the corporate communications team. The CEO job was mainly to deliver a strong financial performance. Today, things are different. A capable business leader is expected to also serve as a brand […]

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, leadership • January 30, 2017

When Brands Get Political: Is It Good PR?

A couple of weeks ago, I was called by two journalists wanting public relations insights on companies hit with blowback for comments about our new president. Should brands get political, they wanted to know? I shared my perspective that brands shouldn’t always shy away from controversy, summarizing with, “You can’t put your head in a hole, […]

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, leadership, reputation • September 15, 2015

PR, Too, Can Do Well By Doing Good: Edelman’s Climate Decision

The world’s largest PR agency has learned a lesson in the power of public pressure to force corporate policy. After months of waffling on the issue, Edelman yesterday told the Guardian that it would end work for coal producers and groups who deny climate change. The move is particularly interesting because Edelman holds itself up […]

blogging, communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, leadership, public relations • July 19, 2014

Is There A Good Way To Break Bad News?

It can fall to PR specialists or other professional communicators to deliver information that will surely spark anger and resentment, not to mention negative media coverage and potential community impact. As an internal email explaining a planned workforce reduction by Microsoft recently showed, it’s not easy to deliver bad news. In the Microsoft case, a […]