Crisis Marketing

Book excerpt: Even the best companies have learned the sad, expensive lesson: Bad news is big news, and it can put years of successful brand-building and thoughtful image-making at risk. Large or small, Wall Street or Main Street, companies are more vulnerable than ever. A simple rumor or a negative reference in the media--whether based on fact or not--can undo years of goodwill. Any business day can start with: Tabloid rumors or innuendo A report of a scandal at the highest (or lowest) levels News of product-tampering A major class-action lawsuit--or a simple nuisance suit Your industry under fire from politicians or special interests "Crisis Marketing: When Bad Things Happen to Good Companies" gives you a framework for managing that risk. The author, a seasoned pro in crisis marketing and management: Provides guidelines for identifying what can go wrong. Shows how to position your company or business before a crisis happens. Explains why you should expect, and be ready for, "the worst." Tells what to do first in the face of a crisis--and what to do next. The old saying that "any news is good news" was never more untrue than in today's business and media climate. "Crisis Marketing: When Bad Things Happen to Good Companies" provides the expert with direction and proven formulas for avoiding media storms and for weathering them if they do occur.