How popular would sushi be if its menu description was “cold, dead fish”?
The challenge in message development, especially for an issue or product that you see all the time, is to make it interesting and memorable. Read more
CommCore Blog and News
Reddit Says “Good Riddance to Pao.” Now What?
As CommCore’s Nick Peters noted in our video blog, What Were They Thinking, Reddit’s interim CEO Ellen Pao took harsh criticism for a host of management actions and changes that culminated in her firing of the well-liked Victoria Taylor who ran the website’s popular discussion forum: Ask Me Anything. Read more
Winning a $280 Million Contract- Does Extra Practice Pay Off?
This is the story of a high stakes RFP (request for proposal) in Texas. It’s relevant to anyone who has ever been involved in a competitive bid that required both a written and oral component. Read more
The Northeast Corridor: Hotbed for Crisis Response Lessons: Baltimore and Philadelphia
Two unconnected events within 100 miles provide ample crisis communications lessons:
When Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake addressed the media and the public for the first time as riots rocked her city in April, she paid a steep reputational price with one poorly-articulated phrase. Read more
Don’t Become the Punch Line or the Punching Bag
We don’t usually delve into the political arena, but Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul’s rough campaign kickoff is a reminder to public figures from business and entertainment — as well as politics — that preparation and an even temperament are crucial to effective communication. Read more
Grandma & Third Parties. It’s All About Trust.
Your grandmother was right when she used to say, “Don’t toot your own horn, let others do it.”
That’s even more true in today’s 24/7 world of crisis management. Third party advocates and spokespersons are experiencing increased influence as a way to build brand reputation and defend it when a crisis hits. Read more
The “New” Brave New World of Cyber Insecurity
Almost at hyper-speed, the year-old Target and JP Morgan cyber breaches are already in the rear-view mirror. Even Sony Pictures, the U.S. military’s Central Command, and Home Depot cyber breaches – all recent – are fading from headlines and public memory. Read more
When Rumors Fly, Stay Steady – Hone Response Skills When Your Company Becomes Part of Takeover Talk
It doesn’t matter whether it was started by the rumor mill, an investor recommendation, or a public announcement, the M&A process is rife for speculation. M&A inquiries require a heightened set of skills when dealing with questions. Read more
E-Mail Protocol Lessons From The Sony Pictures Hacking
The hacking of SONY Pictures data not only raises questions about whether threats can force a company to pull a product from the market place, but generates a host of new concerns for anyone who uses e-mail or instant messaging. Read more
Storytelling: Apply the Science
Storytelling isn’t just the hottest trend in PR messaging or a communications skill we teach.
A recent Harvard Business Review article discusses Claremont University Prof. Paul Zak’s research that suggests storytelling impacts neurological processes in our brains. Read more