Crisis Communications

#Diversity, Brands, crisis communication, Crisis Management

Organisations that work to create more diverse cultures and hire diverse teams perform better than those that don’t. It’s something that researchers and analysts, like McKinsey, have reported for years. What’s interesting to consider is how this diversity helps organisations…

The biggest brand crises of 2024

crisis communications, Crisis Management

2024 saw some big crises for brands. Here is our pick of the biggest: Boeing’s bad year It was a(nother) bad year for Boeing. A 737 Max 9 lost a door plug mid-flight, whistleblowers have been speaking out about defects…

Why every crisis team needs a challenger, holding the team to account

Kate Hartley

assertiveness, crisis communications, Crisis Management, internal comms

When we run simulation exercises, almost every team says the same thing: “We were too slow to act. Time ran away from us!” They’re right. Time does run away from you during a crisis. There’s a lot of research to…

United Airlines passenger removal scandal – what can leaders learn?

Kate Hartley

crisis communications, leadership, strategy

When Dr David Dao was dragged off a United Airlines flight in 2017, there was international outrage. For anyone who doesn’t know the story, he had been selected to give up his seat (to make way for a United employee…

Tylenol’s 1982 recall and lessons in leadership from Johnson & Johnson

crisis communication, leadership, What Just Happened

The first episode of our new Polpeo podcast, ‘What Just Happened?’ explores the so-called ‘Tylenol Murders’ and subsequent mass product recall of Tylenol in the US by owners Johnson & Johnson. The crisis was a masterclass in leadership and has…

Preparing for a crisis: crisis strategy essentials

crisis planning, crisis training, rehearse

Going into a crisis without a crisis strategy is a bit like saying, “I want to be a CEO by age 40”, but having no actual plan to get there. Luck, connections and hard work may be all that some…

What risks are leaders concerned about now?

Crisis Management, Crisis preparation, Risk Management

In January, we looked at the risks that were top of mind for leaders in the coming year. But what are the reputational risks that comms leaders are worried about right now? Polpeo works with organisations from a range of…

2023: the year in crisis

Kate Hartley

company culture, Crisis Management, data breaches, leadership, LGBTQ+

It’s been a crisis-packed year for brands. From failure in company culture or leadership, to sophisticated cyber attacks, here is our pick of the year’s crises, and what we can learn from them. Culture is critical (and starts with behaviour) …

Does backlash always mean backdown? No. Here’s why.

backlashes, Blizzard, crisis strategy, Pride Month, Twitch