Nickname: Jim Bruni

Review: The biggest PR crisis right now is WalMart and Andy Young. Edelman, the agency that devised this unsound PR strategy, should stick that "trust barometer" up its own arse.

Date reviewed: Aug 22, 2006 11:15 PM

Nickname: The Reputation Doctor www.ReputationDoctor.com

Review: Sadly, the negative reputations of both public individuals and public organizations will continue to make headline news because many of them continue to choose lies over truth and personal gain over morality and integrity. Thank you BusinessWeek.com for helping your readers to understand the power and importance of crisis PR today. It was an honor to be one of the experts interviewed. Thank you also for recognizing the impact of entertainment and sports as multi-billion dollar industries also suffering with reputations in crisis. They were just as important to add to the list of business crises because they both influence each one of us both nationally and globally. Sincerely, Mike Paul President MGP & Associates PR www.mgppr.com

Date reviewed: Aug 10, 2006 9:43 PM

Nickname: g money

Review: brilliant

Date reviewed: Aug 4, 2006 1:10 AM

Nickname: Steve

Review: The field of crisis communications has grown because the signature response of "no comment" leaves companies vulnerable and allows antagonists the opportunity to paint them into a corner--which they do easily. Edelman's Annual Trust Barometer found for the first time that "people like me" are the most credible sources of information. Empowered through innovations like blogs and podcasts, "people like me" are burning up communication channels. Conversely, CEOs are sidelined, ranking beneath a regular employee of a company and just above a lawyer. Good crisis counselors help clients communicate best practices, streamline protocols and spearhead corrective measures to demonstrate to the public that their clients are just as interested in doing good as looking good. Steven Behm, Vice President, Crisis and Issues Management, Edelman

Date reviewed: Aug 3, 2006 4:36 PM

Nickname: Ed Lee

Review: Tom Cruise "jumping the couch" as one of the top 10 PR disasters? I think that's a really bad call Christina. What about Gerald Ratner calling his jewellery "total crap"? Your list is a little US-centric and way too celeb-oriented. It would be great to see a publication such as BusinessWeek differentiate between Public Relations and Publicity - especially given PR's increasing important strategic function. Ed

Date reviewed: Aug 2, 2006 1:26 PM

Nickname: Hawkeye

Review: As a long-time practising issues/crisis communications specialist, I can share an annecdote which relates to how large PR firms cash in on this niche. It's called the 200ºF strategy. Don't let the client's issue reach the 212ºF level, where everything boils over and you loose control of a situation. Keep an issue at 200º and the client in a constant state of paranoia and the sky is the limit in terms of billable hours. Corporations need to be more realistic in terms of risk assessment, available resources, preparedness and just plain common sense. Yes, some specialists can bring good value and experience to the table, but unfortunately, most large PR firms use textbook approaches and formulas that are not practical or effective. But, then again, large PR firms also need to answer to their shareholders and keep billables up. Former 'large PR firm' senior crisis specialist, now independant counsellor.

Date reviewed: Aug 2, 2006 1:23 AM