Comments on: Negative Publicity a Weighty Issue? Not For Ex-Baywatch Star

By: Marc Harty

Marc Harty — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:22:36 +0000

Albert,

Thanks for sharing your feedback and good luck in 2010. What is your theme for this year?

~ Marc

By: albert

albert — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 05:25:38 +0000

Thank you for summarizing the three responses and doing so without judgment as different responses are appropriate for different circumstances. We tried all three approaches over the past 2 years of unfounded haranguing and are still recovering from cyber-stalking strangers who have nothing better to do than ruin lives. Sometimes it’s just easier to disappear and start over anew.
Thanks again for your incisive articles. Happy New Year of “Expansion.”

By: Rodney

Rodney — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:01:54 +0000

I think Nicole’s response to the tabloids was right on. You can’t always respond this way to every sort of bad publicity but I think the main idea is to never run and hide. Always do something productive and creative in response to criticism. Or if you are wrong just admit it and move on.

Rodney

By: Jim Bowman

Jim Bowman — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:11:48 +0000

I see your point, David, but I view the main message being about taking an active role when confronted with negative publicity, rather than letting someone else define the rules and shape the conversation. That’s the best way, unless other considerations (such as involving a business partner or other third party) dictate a different course. I can recall some situations when companies I have represented had to stand still and take a public beating for the sake of a client, but those events aren’t commonplace.

In most cases, it’s best to get ahead of a negative issue. If that’s not possible, a quick and reasoned response helps dial down the volume and shows concern for the people involved. Humor clearly isn’t always appropriate, but it does work well, even in serious situations, as Letterman’s predicament illustrates. Sexual harassment and infidelity are serious subjects, but Letterman’s self-deprecating style softened the body blows he was taking.

Good thought-provoking piece, Marc. jrb

By: David Burrows

David Burrows — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:47:41 +0000

This works for celebrities who are their own brand of personality. People who will have a following no matter what. But, it doesn’t translate as well for the other 95% of people and business entities who need damage control PR. I just can’t see a Taco Bell doing a comedy-based video because of tainted Green Onions, or Exxon Mobil because of yet another oil spill. Humor can backfire because the audience may view it as they don’t really care and they take the subject lightly or too much self deprecation via humor can appear even more negative.

All that said, I’d never let my daughter intern for David Letterman. :-/

By: Marc Harty

Marc Harty — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:37:41 +0000

I’m really curious to see what you think about this article. It’s a topic that has a lot of very sensitive touch points. Let me know your thoughts.

~ Marc