When Mercury Public Affairs describes itself as, “A high-stakes public strategy firm,” I guess they aren’t kidding. I have always thought that the term, “high-stakes” suggests high risk and high rewards. Personally, I have always preferred low risk and high rewards. I think clients aren’t wild about high risk when it comes to PR. After all, [...]
It seems like every month we have a new poster child that illustrates all that is wrong in corporate communications. A few months ago it was Netflix. Then Bank of America. Then Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Now, Best Buy is getting its turn in the spotlight. As everyone who pays attention to the [...]
The vultures are circling the reeling Costa Cruises brand following the wreck earlier this month. There is already plenty of analysis of what transpired so I won’t retrace those steps. But I do want to examine one seemingly minor aspect of the crisis response that offers an important lesson for crisis communicators. In the days [...]
Read Specificity in Language Can Prevent Misunderstandings »
I don’t know many organizations seeking help from a public relations agency that are satisfied with the recommendation to shut up. But it is often the best advice — at least for a period of time. Instead, PR firms typically recommend programs designed to increase visibility through ubiquitous communications. They want you out there as [...]
Crisis PR can help to protect an organization or encourage long-term change. I stumbled upon the story, “PR Students Learn How to Handle Crisis for Clients,” in the Cape May County Herald written by Al Campbell. I am not 100 percent sure where Cape May County is, but it appears to be in Pennsylvania. Regardless, [...]
Read Teaching Crisis PR »
Last night after watching the final Oprah show (at least until the end of her non-compete with her syndicator, which ends in 2012), I read a terrific profile in BusinessWeek about Salmon Khan, “Salman Khan: The Messiah of Math,” which seemed to me to be the perfect subject for Oprah. It is a great story [...]
Read Kudos to Khan »
I have recently started working with a new client in the data security space, so I am trying to refresh my understanding of this highly complex area of technology. I had previously done some work around information security for AT&T both prior to the acquisition by SBC and afterward. While only a few years have [...]
It has taken me more than four months to dig deep into my favorite gift from last Christmas, “The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story.” One of the many fantastic discoveries in the treasure trove is a DVD of a 1978 concert in Houston by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. I [...]
Read Houston Concert Centerpiece of Springsteen Retrospective »
Founder and president of DPK Public Relations, an independent public relations practice based in Texas. Specialties include managing issues, crisis communications planning and response, media relations and strategic guidance.
