What trust repair actually looks like in practice. Quick note: this is Part 2 of a two-part series. Part 1 was the diagnosis. Part 2 is what to do about it. Part 1 made the argument that some leaders treat unwanted scrutiny as an image problem. They dismiss critics, assume bad faith, and hand the whole thing to communications to clean up: tighten the message, line up the spokesperson, and push harder. Trust problems don’t work that way. When trust is the issue, the public wants proof that leadership is willing to change. That’s the work. The rest is packaging. The question leadership avoids is the one that matters Before you ask, “What should we say?” ask something harder: what are people reacting to that we’re not seeing clearly? Sometimes the answer is obvious. Other times it’s a pattern the …
Quick note: this is Part 1 of a two-part series. Part 1 is the diagnosis. Part 2 is what to do about it. Leaders reach for the phrase “we have a PR problem” because it’s an easy out. It turns a messy situation into something that feels solvable with messaging, a media plan, and a fresh set of talking points. The problem is that most so-called PR problems aren’t communications problems at all. They’re trust problems. And trust problems don’t get solved by friendlier messaging. They get solved by changing whatever it is that’s prompting the unwanted scrutiny in the first place. This matters because “PR problem” is often a comforting diagnosis. If the issue is PR, the fix feels straightforward: launch a campaign, tighten the talking points, get the spokesperson out there, and push. More proactive communications. More “storytelling.” …
On November 8, 2017, Willamette Week featured the story, "Oh Deer," detailing how family owned brewery Old Town Brewing & Pizza was being bullied by the City of Portland. DPK Public Relations represents Old Town Brewing in this matter. As all trademark disputes can be, this one is complicated. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has recognized Old Town Brewing with an incontestable trademark of a leaping deer for use in beer and alcohol, which is the highest level of trademark protection. Yet the City of Portland has filed multiple trademark applications seeking to trademark an image that encompasses a leaping deer for beer and alcohol. So far, the USPTO has rejected the city's applications three times. To date, legal fees related to these applications have cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars -- perhaps as much as $100,000 …
DPK Public Relations Founder Daniel Keeney, APR was cited as a crisis communications expert in a Washington Post story about how businesses can navigate through an online attack. The story, "A company under Trump attack makes a bold move: It repeatedly ignores him," by Danielle Paquette examines how Rexnord Corp. handled a series of tweets from the President that sought to shame the company for its decision to move manufacturing work from Indiana to Mexico eliminating 350 jobs. For its part, Rexnord privately explained its rationale for the move to its union but has kept a very low public profile -- even when faced with blistering criticism from the President. In fact, a review of news coverage in the days and weeks after the plant closure news went public shows Rexnord officials declined to comment again and again. As often …
When dealing with unpleasant PR issues, the best course of action is often to move forward and forget about the past. Learn from the negatives and have them inform substantive changes -- while at the same time working to drown them out with positive actions and information. Read more!
When a high-profile company faced the possibility of an ugly lawsuit that threatened to drag its good name through the mud, they contacted DPK Public Relations. The issue revolved around threats by a former employee to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and a wrongful termination lawsuit.
The full text of the book, "The Future of Reputation," has been posted online for free -- and legal -- download. The book, which turns a critical eye on the damage that can be done through gossip and rumor on the Internet, is published by Yale Press and written by Daniel Solove, an authority on information privacy law.
The audacious lifestyle and otherworldly compensation of the CEO of Blackstone Group is prompting a fair amount of criticism and scrutiny. DPK Public Relations'' President, Dan Keeney, was interview for the following story from Reuters about the backlash: Blackstone CEO''s high profile sparks backlashNEW YORK (Reuters) - If private equity firms had aimed to steer clear of political controversy heading into an election year, the message may have been lost on Stephen Schwarzman. The CEO and co-founder of Blackstone Group this week became a lightning rod for criticism over perceptions that he makes too much money and leads an overly lavish lifestyle. Blackstone revealed his stake in the firm could be worth $7.73 billion after its initial public offering this month and that he will get a one-off payout of up to $677.2 million. One of his private staff also exposed …
If you were calling the shots in Paris Hilton''s inner circle, how would you manage her re-emergence as a cultural icon? This is your opportunity to tell the heiress what to do and describe how you will make her do it.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Virginia Tech community in this time of mourning and reflection. Look closely and all of us can find small nuggets of wisdom that can help our organizations. The fact is that this is a moment when PR counselors whisper to themselves, "There but for the grace of God go I."