Crisis communications

How not to make a tit out of yourself in a PR crisis

Recently, a woman posted a very disturbing story on Facebook breastfeeding activism forum Free to Feed, where she alleged a security guard in a Leicester branch of discount retail chain Primark forcibly removed her nine-month-old daughter from her breast when she would not stop breastfeeding her, and then walked off...


Two tragic events – two very different PR outcomes

The tragic incident at Alton Towers earlier this month has been all over the news. The crash on the park’s Smiler ride left 16 people injured, four very seriously, and immediately hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Luckily no one died during the incident, however, it was still...


What to do when a PR crisis hits

I was interviewed for an article in The Lawyer magazine today about how law firms – and in particular Gibson Dunn - should deal with a crisis. Gibson Dunn is a top 30 firm with a global presence and – right now – it’s making headlines for all the wrong reasons....


Time for Clarkson to let a professional do his PR?

I’ve read this week’s papers behind my hands. For a PR, watching the steady implosion of Brand Clarkson is a painful experience. Can it get any worse for Britain's king of controversy? Last week’s blog focussed on the ‘fracas’ (and perhaps allowed me to indulge my Hammond crush a little) and...


Krispy Kreme advert fiasco

Acronyms can easily turn a perfectly acceptable marketing slogan or business name into a laughing stock – for example, the Authorised Service Shop (ASS), the Wisconsin Tourism Federation (WTF), Seattle’s South Lake Union Trolley (SLUT) or Microsoft’s Critical Update Notification Tool (now wisely renamed the Critical Updated Notification Utility). It then...


Why an honest mistake can be just as damaging, PR-wise

Most people assume that, when it comes to reputational damage, you’re only really at risk if you’re intentionally behaving badly. There’s an odd expectation of karma whereby if you’re misusing Twitter or getting into scrapes that can be digitally documented then you’re taking the kind of risks with your reputation...


The MADE.com approach to a PR crisis

As the results of the Scottish referendum were coming in last Friday there was a real sense of excitement all across the country. Whatever happened, history was about to be made and all of us wanted to feel like we were a part of it. However, unfortunately for one business,...


How to prevent social media hacking – and damage limitation

Last night I received a direct message on twitter from a follower. It suggested I might want to know about a photo of me that was circulating the net. As a long time twitter user I have seen this before, and far from me getting excited or worried, I just...


Co-op legal marketing blunder

The opening up of the field of legal advice by the Legal Services Act last year left many in the profession wondering how the playing field was likely to change once other types of organisations began offering legal advice as part of their platform. One of the first to take...


When private communications go viral – it doesn’t matter who you are

The issue of private correspondence ‘going viral’ is not a regular occurrence for the legal profession (although Roll on Friday would like you to think it is!). Lawyers are notoriously cagey when it comes to language, knowing full well the consequences of using words carelessly. This caution is even more exercised when...