Executives and CEOs Should Be Current on Media Training

Oh yes, we can hear it, the objections, the comments such as, I’m not the company spokesperson or I don’t talk with the media, why should I spend my time and resources for media training – I’ve got a stack of things I need to do before something like that happens.

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Nearly 1/5th of Wendy’s Locations in North America Have Been Hacked

Wendy’s issued a statement last week that 1,025 of their approximately 5,700 stores in their North American locations had financial information of their customers hacked, stealing credit and debit card numbers, names, expiration dates, and codes on the cards. The hack originated late in the fall of 2015. So far some of the customers’ cards have been used to make purchases at stores other than Wendy’s, such as gift cards and purchases of less than $100 at a time.

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Why Justin Timberlake Offered a Public Apology

These days it seems like every celebrity with a Twitter account learns the hard way just what “mob mentality” means. One errant or even presumed errant 140 character missive and it feels like the collective world has lost its mind in their hurry to grab their digital pitchforks and torches. The latest victim singed by this groupthink gone haywire—Justin Timberlake.

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How Rio Should Prepare If the Olympics Flop

With the Summer Olympics only about a month away on August 5th, Rio de Janeiro faces some almost insurmountable issues that need to be resolved in that short period of time. And that may not be possible. So, what should the Brazilian government and the 2016 Olympic Committee do to keep the games as smooth as they can be even if many problems go unresolved?

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Dunkin Donuts App Launches Mobile Ordering

There was a point not that long ago when having an app was a luxury or an oddity. Now, pretty much anyone and everyone seems to have one. Some, like the incredible Girl Scout cookie locator, are very useful. Others seem to major on aggravation and minor in taking up space on your phone. But the Girl Scouts are not the only brand trying to help you get your sugar fix. Enter Dunkin’ Donuts.

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Responding to Viral Customers to Benefit your Brand

Today, customers have a stronger voice than ever thanks to the rise of social media. As more and more people adopt smartphones and grow accustomed to an always-connected lifestyle, responding quickly to consumers is critical for delivering exceptional customer care. Consumers are getting tired of shopping the old-fashioned way, with more customers opting to buy things online than in-store. But, that’s not the only thing they’re doing more of online. Given the hectic pace of modern day life, consumers have had to adjust to new constraints on their time.

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FDA Criticized Over Recall Timeline

The inspector general’s office of the Department of Health and Human Services reports that the FDA has been taking its sweet time using its power to force recalls on tainted food items showing pathogens that can kill people or make people very sick.

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What the Tunsil Gasmask Disaster Teaches Us about Crisis PR

Laremy Tunsil’s NFL draft night turned from celebration to horror, after a post on his Twitter page created a public relations disaster. The mysterious post appeared just minutes before the draft began and showed Tunsil smoking marijuana through a gas mask. He then removed the mask, revealing his identity.

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Instagram Logo Re-Design: #Win, #Fail, or #Draw?

In case you were unaware, Instagram recently re-designed their logo and app aesthetics. And boy, oh boy, did it make waves. According to Ian Spalter, Instagram’s Head of Design, “…the Instagram icon and design was beginning to feel…not reflective of the community, and we thought we could make it better.” For better or worse, Instagram went for it.

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Frozen Food Recall Creates Consumer PR Problems

Listeria. Ask most folks what it is and what it does, and they would have a hard time explaining it. But ask them if they want it in their food, and they know full well it’s very bad. Just the mention of the word leads consumers to stop buying, much less consuming certain products. Now the outbreak scare extends to frozen food, some bought as far back as 2014.

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