reputation

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • January 9, 2013

AIG Avoids PR Disaster, But Barely

It seemed like a joke. AIG, the poster child for the greed, profligacy, and fiscal incompetence that helped trigger the 2008 financial meltdown, announced it would consider suing the U.S. government over the terms of its $182 billion rescue. This, just a week after the company launched a pricey ad campaign trumpeting its turnaround and […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • December 28, 2012

Secrets of a Successful CSR Campaign

It’s no surprise that public trust in corporations, along with government and faith institutions, seems to be at an all-time low. According to the Reputation Institute’s 2012 Corporate Social Responsibility RepTrak 100 Study, only 17% of respondents trust what companies promise in their marketing. What’s more, a mere 6% perceive the top 100 companies as […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • December 20, 2012

The Most Notable CEO Apologies Of 2012

The public apology has long been a staple of PR and reputation management, and this year saw a large number of C-level mea culpas. Some were mandated, while others were designed to beg forgiveness, right wrongs, or restore good will. Here’s my list of the most notable. Picture this: Instagram is forced to backpedal after […]

branding, communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, marketing, public relations, reputation • December 12, 2012

Five Ways PR Can Build Brands

It’s been said that PR drives reputation, while marketing builds brands. But that simplistic premise defines both PR and brand far too narrowly. It may not always take the lead in brand-building, particularly with large, global companies, but there are many ways in which the classic PR approach and tactics help defend, deepen, and even […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • November 15, 2012

8 Ways To Manage Negative PR

It’s hard to predict, and even harder to handle appropriately. It may come in the form of a Google Alert, a phone call inviting comment, or an email from a customer or colleague. You, or your company, is being criticized in public. Some say there’s no such thing as negative publicity, but most businesses who’ve […]

Crenshaw Communications, crisis management, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • October 14, 2012

The Scariest PR Mistakes of 2012

Most PR pros have had nightmares about a serious public mistake. Or, we’ve felt that shiver of schadenfreude when someone else’s blunder goes viral. Some of us have even experienced them. So, in honor of Halloween, here’s my list of some of the scariest PR moves and mistakes to date. The rogue tweet. In my […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, reputation • October 3, 2012

Is "Apologize" A Dirty Word?

This election season has given rise to a new term of shame. It’s “apologize.” GOP nominee Mitt Romney never tires of criticizing President Obama for what he claims is the president’s constant “apologizing” for America. What bothers me as a professional communicator isn’t just that no one in the Romney camp can seem to point […]

communications, crisis management, ImPRessions, reputation • August 28, 2012

6 Myths of Crisis Management PR

In the past several weeks, brands from Burger King and Penn State to Chick-fil-A and CelebBoutique have grappled with serious reputational threats. These days, it’s almost routine for communications pros to be managing some kind of potential crisis situation along with proactive PR programs. Yet true “crisis management” is probably a misnomer. Though there are […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, crisis management, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation, social media • August 24, 2012

Armstrong’s Crisis PR Is In Fighting Form

As evidence that he used performance-enhancing substances has gained traction over the years, cyclist Lance Armstrong always managed to stay out in front, avoiding major reputation damage. Until now. But even now, he may be down, but he’s not out. As he threw in the towel, announcing that he’d no longer contest the US Anti-Doping […]