reputation

advertising, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • June 12, 2013

When Brands Overreact To PR Problems

Social-media-fueled brand controversies are more common than ever in the digital age. But even in the current crisis-of-the-hour media environment, it’s natural for major brands to take slights very seriously. Where millions of dollars are spent and fat profit margins are at stake, overreactions are understandable. You can almost sense the confusion, conflicting advice, and […]

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • May 22, 2013

For Bad PR, Blame The Lawyers?

#BrandAdvocateFail – I can only assume the lawyers are to blame? lnkd.in/W_FxYe — Sarah Larcker (@slarcker) May 22, 2013 Was Shakespeare right after all? When legal strategy contradicts PR or communications strategy, PR usually loses. Typically, it’s in high-stakes liability suits or congressional investigations where avoiding stiff legal or financial penalties is considered more important […]

Crenshaw Communications, crisis management, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • May 3, 2013

Retractions And Reversals: Best And Worst of Apology PR

This week has brought a fresh wave of public mea culpas and backpedalings – plenty of fodder for self-anointed apology PR experts. Most proactive is the ad campaign mounted by JC Penney after the failure of its everyday low price strategy and store makeovers of last year. The spot, which is narrated in a warm, […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, crisis management, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation, social media • May 1, 2013

PR Crisis Management Lessons From Behind The Headlines

Hindsight – ahem – is always 20/20, particularly when it comes to reputation management. Yet, textbook crisis successes (and failures) aren’t always what they seem. Here’s my take on some recent examples of crisis handling by top brands. The Lululemon Yoga Pants Recall. For sheer, on-the-spot crisis management skill, Lululemon wins, hands down. PR experts […]

branding, communications, ImPRessions, marketing, public relations, reputation • March 27, 2013

Is Tiger Woods Back?

“Winning Takes Care of Everything,” boasts the ad. Sponsored by Nike, the only brand that stuck by the disgraced golfer as he struggled to get his reputation out of the rough, it has an impertinence that’s gotten everyone talking. It’s confident, even cocky, and most importantly, buzzworthy. A winner for Nike. Yet the tone is […]

branding, communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • March 20, 2013

How To Create Brand Advocates And Evangelists

It was Guy Kawasaki, former Chief Evangelist at Apple and instinctive PR expert, who coined the phrase “evangelism marketing.” Since then, all types of companies have been trying to let loyal customers do their brand building for them. Social media makes that more accessible and easier than ever. But true brand advocacy usually happens organically. The […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation, social media • March 7, 2013

How To Protect Your Digital Reputation

A while back, I was startled to see myself criticized harshly on an online IT forum. One poster called me “clearly incompetent” and demanded that I be fired. It was a chilling feeling, especially since I didn’t know any of my antagonists. Of course, it wasn’t about me. I share a name with a former public […]

advertising, blogging, Crenshaw Communications, crisis management, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation, social media • January 28, 2013

Why Subway’s Apology PR Fell Short

Maybe because I’m reading John Kenney’s excellent novel, Truth in Advertising, I’ve been thinking a lot about authenticity in brand marketing and public relations. It’s one of those things that we take for granted when present, but that can be a time bomb when absent. Yet, when I first heard about the lawsuits served up […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • January 21, 2013

Armstrong Interview Is A Winner for Oprah

Lance Armstrong’s much-touted one-on-one confessional with Oprah, broadcast last Thursday and Friday on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), was a winning performance. Not for Armstrong; for him, the road ahead seems very rocky. But for Oprah and her namesake network, the sitdown was a breakout accomplishment. You could practically hear the sound of millions of […]