Monthly Archives: December 2011

Venturing into the dangerous water of predictions for 2012

Posted on December 29, 2011 by gbaron

(also posted on emergencymgmt.com–my apologies–but at least its a long one) The end of one year and beginning of the next means all kinds of retrospective views and prognostications. I find these a little tiresome, yet, like watching a train … Continue reading →

Posted in Crisis Advice, Crisis Case Studies, Crisis Communications, Crisis Communicator, crisis management | Tagged | 3 Comments

An unbelievable honor from SMEM expert Patrice Cloutier

Posted on December 23, 2011 by gbaron

I consider Patrice Cloutier, a former CBC journalist and communicator with a Canadian government agency, one of the top experts in the world on social media and emergency management and communications. No one that I know of digs deeper and … Continue reading →

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Fast Company’s Communication Winners and Losers for 2011

Posted on December 23, 2011 by gbaron

Here’s a great list from a blogger on Fast Company. Their list of winners coming soon. Who’s on your list? Here’s another list from Fineman PR–always a good list from this firm.

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Lowes and Chiquita show “social responsibility” a slippery slope

Posted on December 22, 2011 by gbaron

I think the focus on social responsibility by corporations is a very positive step. I have long believed that companies can be a force for good or ill in our world, and social responsibility helps them think through their actions. … Continue reading →

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Media fear-mongering–the Onion’s take

Posted on December 21, 2011 by gbaron

The Onion is well known for its irreverent and sarcastic take on today’s issues–and in this hilarious spoof of a news report they highlight the fear mongering of media reporting along with the “irrational fear” exhibited by news viewers. (Thanks … Continue reading →

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J&J takes apologies to a whole new level

Posted on December 14, 2011 by gbaron

Apologizing has become one of the standard practices of crisis communication and reputation management. The problem is, they are all starting to sound alike. “We deeply regret the impact this event is having on our valued [whatevers].” Johnson & Johnson … Continue reading →

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Rumor management–a startling infographic shows how rumors grow on Twitter

Posted on December 13, 2011 by gbaron

One of the huge changes in crisis and emergency communications is the emergence of rumor management as job one. Yes, job one. I used to say, repeating the Coast Guard policy, your job was to be the “first and best … Continue reading →

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Update on Virginia Tech

Posted on December 8, 2011 by gbaron

The situation appears to be heading toward resolution, so it is time for armchair quarterbacking. First, my thoughts and prayers go to everyone at VT for having to endure another nightmare and particularly to the family of the slain officer. … Continue reading →

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New VT shooting reveals changes

Posted on December 8, 2011 by gbaron

It’s just now happening, but a few interesting notes: – breaking news alerts–near immediate widespread news distributions from major outlets like NYTimes and LATimes – news website–NYTimes reported on breaking news they got the immediate info from VT website. What … Continue reading →

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How [not] to explain a failure to communicate

Posted on December 7, 2011 by gbaron

During the evening of Nov. 30, the Los Angeles area experienced the worst windstorm in most resident’s memory. My wife and I were there and from our fourth floor hotel room in Pasadena, which had some of the worst damage, … Continue reading →

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