crisis pr

Getting Ahead of a Crisis Before it Happens Crisis management. Two words that no business wants to have to handle, but unfortunately this is often a part of running a company. Inevitably, something negative will happen. The effects of these types of situations are highly dependent on how they are handled. But why wait until there is a crisis to handle? Being proactive can save a lot of time and headache when it comes time to actually employ a crisis management strategy. Having a proactive plan and approach to crisis management can make a world of difference, but how is... Read More >

No one likes a PR crisis but, try as you might, they are likely an unavoidable reality for your business. The Forbes Agency Council is a community for PR and media strategy executives, and we’ve collected a few top tips from these PR pros to keep in mind ahead of your next PR flare-up. Listen To Your Team First It's too easy to be reactive, especially when your company's brand and reputation are at stake. Don't comment, post or tweet before you've conferred with your PR team on what the best, most reasoned approach will be. If you have a... Read More >

There can be no doubt now that Jussie Smollett will struggle to revive his career. The Empire star broke his silence on the ‘worst time of his life’ after all charges against him for filing a false police report were dropped earlier this month.  His record has also been wiped clean, and reports indicate he will surrender a $10,000 bond; a bond of $100,000 was set in February. While his future on the television show is still unknown, crisis management mogul Ronn Torossian believes he won’t be returning to the show ever.  Torossian, CEO of 5W Public Relations whose clients... Read More >

TripAdvisor gets negative press for its handling of sexual assault claims In late 2017, TripAdvisor came under fire for not appropriately handling claims of sexual assault after the company deleted a rape victim’s warning on a review for a Mexican resort. Now, over a year later, the largest travel review site in the world has once again defended its policy of not removing a business listing “when something terrible happens” after new claims of sexual assault. In an article published by the Guardian, it was reported two women recently alleged they were raped by an employee of a business that... Read More >

Ronn Torossian Brings His Expertise to Harvard Business School Ronn Torossian hardly needs an introduction In the world of public relations. Ronn has cultivated a reputation of being a results-driven public relations professional capable of taking on even the most formidable challenges.  Named twice to 40 Under 40 lists cultivated by Advertising Ageand PR Week, Torossian quickly built a name for himself as a force to be reckoned with as a publicist.  Torossian has been named PR Executive of the Year by the American Business Awards and has also been a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.... Read More >

Bold, Beautiful or Just Plain Bad? Three PR Pros Respond to Gillette’s Controversial Ad If the aim of Gillette’s latest campaign was to cause widespread controversy, the razor firm’s PR team is surely congratulating itself. If you haven’t seen it by now, the only possible explanation is that you’ve forgotten how to use your phone. And laptop. And how to talk. The two-minute film, produced by Grey New York and supported by Ketchum, features a montage of stereotypically naughty male behaviour, calling on men everywhere to hold their peers to account in treating other men—and women—with a respect worthy of... Read More >

Gillette’s Controversial Ad is Nothing New Gillette’s “We Believe” campaign has ruffled more than a few well trimmed feathers, with the one-minute, 49-second ad all but taking over online discussion this week. Among its supporters, Gillette has nailed its attempt in providing some much-needed commentary on so-called “toxic masculinity”, while the campaign’s detractors are calling the ad offensive to men. The latter camp seems to be winning. Gillette’s ad has garnered more than 13 million views on YouTube, and “dislike” reactions are so far double those that gave the video a thumbs up. Some critics are going as far as... Read More >

It’s been a shaky couple of weeks for Dolce and Gabbana, after they released an ad campaign that has been described as “disrespectful and racist”. The backlash has been immediate and hard, ranging from boycotts by celebrities and having its products withdrawn from Chinese e-commerce sites. The Italian luxury fashion house’s controversial advertising campaign includes videos of a Chinese model struggling to eat various Italian dishes with chopsticks. The ad was designed to promote a major fashion show in Shanghai, which has now been canceled. Chinese-French model Estelle Chen, who withdrew from the show, tagged Dolce and Gabbana on an... Read More >

As the United States enters yet another round of the great gun debates, at least one gun manufacturer is struggling to make ends meet. Sturm Ruger recently announced plans to continue cutting its workforce after posting a 21 percent sales decline over 2017. Just how many jobs has the gun maker cut? Estimates top 700 jobs, which is equivalent to about 25 percent of its staff. Ruger CEO Chris Killoy said the cuts were difficult but necessary: “When we reduced production in 2017, we had to make some difficult decisions… 2017 was a challenging year for the firearm industry, but... Read More >

In one of the most bizarre headlines in recent years, a Florida woman is claiming officials from Spirit Airlines compelled her to flush her pet hamster down an airport toilet because the tiny rodent was not allowed on the flight with her. From there, the story gets even stranger. Because the woman, Belen Aldecosea, is claiming the hamster was an “emotional support” pet and thus should have been allowed on the plane. No Pets Allowed According to the Associated Press, Aldecosea, a college student on her way home for a visit, called Spirit Airlines more than once to confirm that... Read More >