By Jonathan & Erik Bernstein on January 2, 2014
The park’s PR team is sure to be blubbering after it’s revealed someone tried to tip the scales on an Orlando Business Journal poll The Orlando Business Journal has busted SeaWorld making a whale of a crisis management mistake – stacking an online poll that asks whether the “Blackfish” documentary has changed reader’s perception of […]
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By Jonathan & Erik Bernstein on December 28, 2013
[Editor’s note: The following post was shared with us by colleague Rene A. Henry, author, journalist, and business expert] Major banks should thank Congress for replacing them at the bottom of the list the American public least trusts and respects. But it seems whatever they continue to do, most can’t seem to get it right. […]
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By Jonathan & Erik Bernstein on December 27, 2013
Leaving room for confusion is a crisis management mistake Not having clear policies, and training your employees on what to do when a situation falls “outside the box” can create a need for crisis management. A historic Cincinnati cemetery found itself in a pickle after initially allowing, then removing, a headstone featuring a seven foot […]
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By Jonathan & Erik Bernstein on December 24, 2013
Failing to protect your constituents isn’t good for the reputation The FDA can’t figure out what exactly is sending hundreds of dogs and cats to the vet, but they know it’s related to the popular jerky treats sold by many big brands. Unfortunately, that information alone isn’t enough to keep them off store shelves, leaving […]
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By Jonathan & Erik Bernstein on December 22, 2013
Be careful what you share, not everyone watching is a friend We mostly discuss crisis management for various organizations or prominent individuals, but there are an awful lot of crises that happen in day-to-day life as well. Organizations of all kinds are making use of social media, and you’d better believe that includes criminal ones […]
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By Jonathan & Erik Bernstein on December 20, 2013
Consider public perception when you make marketing decisions We’re beginning to think that crisis management should be a required class for every marketing major. Cosmetics giant Sephora is the latest to join the long list of organizations that have made ridiculously poor marketing choices after its lipstick, “Celebutard” drew fire from such groups as All […]
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By Jonathan & Erik Bernstein on December 18, 2013
Knowing the potential impact of negative events can help you properly prepare for crisis management The type of crisis you experience can drastically change the impact it has on your organization. To illustrate this point, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer conducted a study of 78 different crises of reputation, and created a chart documenting their impact on […]
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By Jonathan & Erik Bernstein on December 16, 2013
“Know thy audience.” It’s one of the core directives of crisis management, and communication in general. If you know who you’re talking to it instantly becomes easier to craft an effective message, and to avoid giving offense. Well, when it comes to communication we’re doing a TON of it on social media, so don’t you […]
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By Jonathan & Erik Bernstein on December 16, 2013
Not practicing what you preach is likely to leave you needing crisis management Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler, a frequent advocate of stricter laws against underage drinking, landed himself in hot water after pictures of him at a wild party full of teens toting the ubiquitous red Solo cup went viral. The photo wasn’t the […]
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By Jonathan & Erik Bernstein on December 12, 2013
Repeating the terms you’re seeking to avoid is a massive crisis management mistake Merrie Spaeth’s BIMBO Awards exist to remind us of one of the most common, and damaging, crisis management mistakes out there – repeating the very negative terms you’re trying to avoid. Here are this year’s “Dishonorable Mentions”: “I called you crazy, not […]
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Jonathan L. Bernstein, founder and Chairman of Bernstein Crisis Management, Inc. has more than 25 years of experience in all aspects of crisis management – crisis response, vulnerability assessment, planning, training and simulations.[Read more ...]
Erik Bernstein is president of Bernstein Crisis Management. Erik started with BCM in 2009 as a writer and subsequently became social media manager for the consultancy itself as well as for a number of BCM clients before moving to the president position.
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