Should You Worry About the Next Crisis?
By Bruce Hennes, Hennes Communications The past few years have been challenging for businesses around the world. From the COVID-19 pandemic to natural disasters and cyber-attacks, companies have faced a range of crises that have threatened their operations and reputations. A recent report by Capterra suggests that more than half of US businesses should be […]
Oscar Ceremony Team on High Alert With a Crisis Communications Plan for This Sunday’s Broadcast
By Bruce Hennes, Hennes Communications The Academy Awards ceremony is one of the most high-profile events in the entertainment industry, drawing millions of viewers from around the world. With a large audience and so many moving parts, it’s no surprise that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has created a “crisis team” to […]
When Crisis Threatens an Influencer-Deal Partnership
By Eric Yaverbaum for O’Dwyer’s 2022 brought no shortage of high-profile crises for brands and celebrities alike. Under Elon Musk’s thumb, Twitter has been marred by continual controversy, including imposter Twitter accounts buying verified status and pretending to be brands—a subscription service that later relaunched with a higher price tag—and at one point, Musk even mentioning bankruptcy. From an […]
How Companies Can Find Their Authentic Voice Amid Crisis
By Kristi Knight for Ragan A few short years ago, sending a corporate communication to our employees about personal and political issues such as women’s reproductive rights, gun control, police violence, or other culturally and emotionally charged topics felt taboo. Now, it’s not only normal — it’s expected. The workforce is changing. It’s younger and […]
Speak First or Forever Lose your Crisis Message
By Katie Paine for PRNEWS Anyone who has studied crisis communications knows, “he/she who speaks first owns the narrative.” Once bad news breaks, whether it is a self-inflicted crisis, accident or natural disaster, there’s a sequence that all crises follow. Something happens, the news media finds out about it and starts asking questions, and whoever […]
U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center Issues Report
By Bruce Hennes, Hennes Communications CAUTION: This information is issued on a need to know basis. We hope you agree that you indeed need to know. Situational awareness refers to the ability to perceive, comprehend, and anticipate critical situations in real-time, allowing individuals to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions. Situational awareness is crucial […]
Exclusive: Academy of Motion Pictures CEO Says New ‘Crisis Team’ Will Handle Future Fiascos Like the ‘Slap’
By Eliana Dockterman for TIME Since taking over the position of CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences last July, Bill Kramer has spent a lot of time putting out fires. In the past two years, the Oscars ratings sank to their lowest in the show’s history. The Academy has tasked Kramer […]
Mastering the Zoom Apology
By Bruce Hennes & Nora Jacobs, Hennes Communications A CEO, executive director, bar association president or other business executive has to apologize or speak about something very important. The stakes are high – and the apology is going to have to be done using Zoom or another virtual platform. Under any circumstance, delivering an effective […]
Grading Memphis PD’s Communication: Better Than Some, But Not Perfect
By John Guilfoil for PRNEWS [Editor’s Note: One of many things under scrutiny in the killing of Tyre Nichols is how the Memphis Police Department (MPD) communicated in its initial press release and police report. Critics charge there were gross mischaracterizations of what occurred. Moreover, they contrast with bodycam video and other footage of Mr. Nichols’s beating. We asked communicator […]
Why Did the Biden Team Fail to Use the Tenets of Basic Crisis Communications?
By Bruce Hennes, Hennes Communications Why Did the Biden Team Fail to Use the Tenets of Basic Crisis Communications? When the news broke that classified documents were found in President Joe Biden’s Delaware home, the PR pundits immediately criticized his handling of the situation. They pointed out that Biden and his staff waited too long […]