Now that it's officially 2011, we can all look back on the best and worst of 2010. This week the Wall Street Journal published an article "Public Relations Learned the Hard Way," in which it looked at some of the biggest PR disasters of last year.
Can you name them? It is not surprising to see the BP oil spill and the Toyota automobile crisis on the list, but you may find some unexpected names on the list as well. Be sure to check it out!
What PR crises would you add to the list of 2010's PR disasters? Were you surprised to see some of the companies that made the list? What companies would you commend for their PR practices in 2010?
Showing posts with label pr disasters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pr disasters. Show all posts
Monday, January 3, 2011
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
A Big 'Oops' for Pennsylvania's Homeland Security
Pennsylvania's homeland security director, James F. Powers Jr., has some apologizing to do. According to an article published on Philly.com yesterday, Powers hired a Philadelphia-based terrorism intelligence firm to monitor activist groups with no history of violence, including anti-war protesters and environmentalists.
Two weeks after an uproar from activists and legislators about intelligence bulletins circulating with information about the innocent groups, Powers apologized. "I sincerely apologize to any individual or group, regardless of their views or affiliation, who felt their constitutional rights infringed upon because they were listed in the bulletin," Powers says in his testimony, a copy of which was obtained by the Inquirer.
Governor Rendell reported that he was appalled to learn about the tracking of the groups and ordered the contract to be terminated. However others, such as Jack Tomarchio, a former ranking intelligence officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, say Powers is not at fault and is instead the victim of a misunderstanding.
No matter who is at fault, the activist groups deserve an explanation and an apology. Although Powers apologized in his testimony, that message came after two weeks of silence and did not address the specific groups affected by the poor judgment.
An apology may not be enough to console harmless activist groups who have been tracked as if they were terrorists, but it may have been better received if it was more timely and sincere. Homeland Security seems to be the latest addition to the list of those who could use a lesson in crisis communication.
Two weeks after an uproar from activists and legislators about intelligence bulletins circulating with information about the innocent groups, Powers apologized. "I sincerely apologize to any individual or group, regardless of their views or affiliation, who felt their constitutional rights infringed upon because they were listed in the bulletin," Powers says in his testimony, a copy of which was obtained by the Inquirer.
Governor Rendell reported that he was appalled to learn about the tracking of the groups and ordered the contract to be terminated. However others, such as Jack Tomarchio, a former ranking intelligence officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, say Powers is not at fault and is instead the victim of a misunderstanding.
No matter who is at fault, the activist groups deserve an explanation and an apology. Although Powers apologized in his testimony, that message came after two weeks of silence and did not address the specific groups affected by the poor judgment.
An apology may not be enough to console harmless activist groups who have been tracked as if they were terrorists, but it may have been better received if it was more timely and sincere. Homeland Security seems to be the latest addition to the list of those who could use a lesson in crisis communication.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Philadelphia Housing Authority PR Crisis
Over the past few weeks, the Philadelphia news media has been flooded with headlines about a series of scandals involving Philadelphia Housing Authority Executive Director, Carl Greene. Greene has been under fire about the possible misuse of PHA funds and his failure to notify the PHA board about multiple sexual harassment lawsuits that were brought against him by former employees.
An article from philly.com features the accounts of many employees who worked for the PHA under Greene. The employees reported incidents of sexual harassment, verbal abuse, and what became known as the "Greene Mile:" the common practice of being demoted and eventually fired as a result of a clash with Greene.
The PHA has an annual budget of 345 million dollars, most of which comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. As Executive Director, Greene oversaw the budget, 1,150 employees, and a real estate network of 13,400 units that house 81,000 people. According to the philly.com article, Greene was paid $306,370 annually and the board gave him a $44,188 bonus last year.
Although Greene had previously received awards for his work as head of the fourth-largest public housing agency in the country, his morals and practices are now being questioned. Not only do the allegations give the PHA a bad name, but they also raise the issue of the misuse of taxpayers' dollars in the already struggling economy and tarnish the PHA's mission of helping people in need.
When the scandal broke, Greene was nowhere to be found. He failed to report to work for several days and is now suspended from his position for the duration of the investigation. Many questions remain about the fate of Greene and the future of the PHA.
The PHA clearly has a public relations crisis on its hands. However, the agency serves an important role and affects the lives of thousands of Philadelphia residents, so it must continue to function.
What do you think the Philadelphia Housing Authority should do to regain the public's trust amidst the scandal?
An article from philly.com features the accounts of many employees who worked for the PHA under Greene. The employees reported incidents of sexual harassment, verbal abuse, and what became known as the "Greene Mile:" the common practice of being demoted and eventually fired as a result of a clash with Greene.
The PHA has an annual budget of 345 million dollars, most of which comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. As Executive Director, Greene oversaw the budget, 1,150 employees, and a real estate network of 13,400 units that house 81,000 people. According to the philly.com article, Greene was paid $306,370 annually and the board gave him a $44,188 bonus last year.
Although Greene had previously received awards for his work as head of the fourth-largest public housing agency in the country, his morals and practices are now being questioned. Not only do the allegations give the PHA a bad name, but they also raise the issue of the misuse of taxpayers' dollars in the already struggling economy and tarnish the PHA's mission of helping people in need.
When the scandal broke, Greene was nowhere to be found. He failed to report to work for several days and is now suspended from his position for the duration of the investigation. Many questions remain about the fate of Greene and the future of the PHA.
The PHA clearly has a public relations crisis on its hands. However, the agency serves an important role and affects the lives of thousands of Philadelphia residents, so it must continue to function.
What do you think the Philadelphia Housing Authority should do to regain the public's trust amidst the scandal?
Friday, April 2, 2010
PR Disasters
I was introduced recently to a blog that was new to me and thought I'd share it with you too! PRdisasters.com is a blog chronicling "PR disasters, spin doctors, and reputation management gone wrong" written by PR analyst and author Gerry McCusker.
Recent posts include "Bush PR man Fleischer to restore Tiger Woods' PR?," "Aussie PR hires actress to fake a news story," and "Fast Food Denny's pull 'humorous' Irish Famine ad," among others.
Check out these posts and others at www.prdisasters.com!
Recent posts include "Bush PR man Fleischer to restore Tiger Woods' PR?," "Aussie PR hires actress to fake a news story," and "Fast Food Denny's pull 'humorous' Irish Famine ad," among others.
Check out these posts and others at www.prdisasters.com!
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