Latest news with #PRcrisis
Entrepreneur
6 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
AI Is Changing Public Relations — Here's How to Stay in Control
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Last week, I had to dig deep into a new client's background — fast. They were in the middle of a substantial PR crisis, and time was not on our side. In the past, I would've turned to Google and manually sifted through page after page of results. I'd look at their website, news mentions, social media activity, reviews and even obscure forum posts. The goal was always the same: get a full picture of who they are, how they operate and what's already public that could help — or hurt — their reputation. Doing that kind of research the old way can take hours. Now, it's far more efficient thanks to AI. Tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Grok can quickly summarize public information, giving me a snapshot in seconds instead of hours. But this shortcut comes with a big caveat: we also have to consider what these systems are saying about people and companies, and how they've come to those conclusions. Large language models (LLMs), the tech powering these AI tools, are trained on massive datasets pulled from across the open web. That means your brand's online presence isn't just being seen by people anymore — it's being interpreted and summarized by machines, too. This changes the game for public relations. Because while LLMs can be incredibly powerful, they're still prone to hallucinations — a polite term for making things up. And if you've spent even five minutes with Google's new AI Overviews (AIOs), you've seen it firsthand. Some examples I've personally encountered in AIOs: That Gouda is the best-selling cheese in the U.S. That you should add non-toxic glue to pizza to keep cheese from sliding off That drinking urine is an effective treatment for kidney stones Related: Why AI-Forward Communication is the Future of Public Relations Ridiculous? Absolutely. But it underscores a bigger issue: these systems can spread false or misleading information quickly and at scale. Even with less extreme topics, hallucinations happen. I once asked Grok to summarize my background. It confidently told me I'd served in the Army Airborne. In reality? I was a Marine. As more people rely on AI to answer questions they once typed into search engines, the accuracy and relevance of your brand's presence in these models is becoming critical. Not only do you want to make sure the information is correct, but you also want your brand to show up at all. Ideally, you want to appear in answers about your industry, not just yourself. So, how do you influence what these systems say? Unfortunately, it's not as easy as feeding them your preferred narrative. If it were, AI tools would already be flooded by spam from low-quality marketers. Instead, LLMs prioritize information from trusted sources across the web, and not all sources are weighted equally. Your company's official website helps, but third-party credibility matters far more. That's why editorial media coverage remains the most powerful tool in modern PR — and it matters now more than ever. There are two core elements here: high-quality editorial features and press releases. Editorial features — stories published by reputable media outlets that quote you or spotlight your work — carry the most weight. Why? Because they're difficult to manipulate. Getting published requires a compelling topic, a unique perspective and often, relationships with journalists. You have to earn it. That's exactly why LLMs treat this kind of coverage as a strong trust signal. The more insight you share in those features, the better. If you're quoted briefly, it suggests your voice is just one of many. But if your expertise shapes the bulk of the story, that sends a much stronger signal — both to readers and to the algorithms parsing it. That's also why it's smart to pursue interviews and contributor content in addition to being quoted. These allow you to go deeper, share your thinking more fully and increase the likelihood that your perspective makes it into an AI summary. Press releases still matter, too — but in a more limited way. They're a paid channel, so anyone can publish them, but there's still some editorial oversight. Editors at distribution services do basic fact-checking and screen for hyperbole before syndicating them to media outlets. The key is to make sure your press release is actually newsworthy. A strong release can also prompt journalists to cover your story further. While LLMs pull data from various formats — text, audio, video — text-based articles still produce the fastest and most reliable impact when it comes to influencing AI responses. Related: Yes, AI Might Take Your PR Job. Here's What You Can Do About It. In many ways, AI has transformed PR. But the fundamentals haven't changed. You still need to earn high-quality media coverage. The difference is that now, those features are no longer just about reaching human audiences — they're about training the machines that shape perception at scale. The companies and individuals who recognize this shift and act on it now will gain a long-term advantage. Those who don't? They'll get left out of the conversation — by people and by AI alike.
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Blake Lively branded a 'toxic diva' as experts dissect her latest catastrophic legal move against Justin Baldoni
Blake Lively 's decision to subpoena more than a dozen journalists and small creators has ignited a free speech firestorm —and now, crisis PR expert Eric Schiffer says the move could leave lasting damage to both her brand and her public image. 'Dragging micro-creators into court over chit-chat is nuclear overkill that screams bully, not brilliance,' says Schiffer, CEO of Reputation Management Consultants. 'When you demand IP addresses and PayPal receipts from hobby vloggers, you risk being seen mugging the First Amendment in broad daylight.' The subpoenas, which target creators with modest followings and include requests for personal information and financial records, have triggered backlash online and sparked concerns about celebrity overreach. 'Blake's subpoena blitz paints her with some as a toxic diva mugging creators,' Schiffer says. 'Watching a Hollywood millionaire trigger a subpoena bloodbath against hobby vloggers will flip some fans' love into loathing.' Lively's wholesome, approachable public image as one half of Hollywood's favorite power couple, alongside her husband, Ryan Reynolds, may also be at risk, Schiffer warns. 'Disney-grade charm mutates into a mutant privacy predator the instant she subpoenas creators' data and drenches Blake's rom-com glow in legal napalm,' he says. 'This subpoena spree risks turning "America's sweetheart" into "Big Brother Blake" accented by air striking ants—many fans don't sip that Kool-Aid. Hauling a channel with 38 subscribers into federal court is the PR equivalent of clubbing baby seals for sport.' While the legal maneuver may be rooted in concerns about misinformation or reputation protection, Schiffer says the strategy could backfire by triggering a viral David-vs.-Goliath narrative. 'You don't sue low subscriber fleas with flamethrowers—unless you crave a David-vs-Goliath backlash or you are absolutely sure you have the goods,' he says. 'Every subpoenaed small blogger becomes an epic-scale martyr; their followers swarm like digital hornets.' According to Schiffer, the long-term risk isn't just bad headlines, it's locking in an unflattering narrative. 'Baldoni didn't need a counter-campaign with this tactic; Blake's attorneys handed him the slingshot,' he says. 'Blake's protective-order win rings hollow when she's busy rifling through strangers' Gmail. Over-controlling celebs can take their brands into a death spiral when trying to muzzle critics as it can cement a stone-cold crazy narrative that sticks.' If Lively hopes to regain control of the narrative, Schiffer says she needs to act fast and avoid appearing defensive or evasive. His recommendation? 'Drop a surgical two-line holding blast: "These subpoenas are evidentiary, not a witch-hunt; Blake 100% backs free speech." That helps plug the news vacuum before it turns radioactive.' Remaining silent, he adds, would be a critical error. 'Silence is catastrophic; it lets YouTube lawyers draft the script and tattoo "Bully" across Blake's brand,' Schiffer says. 'Stay mute and you trigger the full Streisand avalanche.' Jason Mudd, CEO/Managing Partner at Axia Public Relations, pointed out that the subpoenas send a 'chilling message: dissent will be met with legal intimidation.' 'Even if legally permissible, the optics are poor. It appears like a power play, not a fact-finding measure. This approach may erode goodwill and invite scrutiny about intent: Was the goal justice or silence?' he added. 'Public figures already operate under a microscope. Targeting micro-influencers, including those with limited followers, might appear excessive, possibly punitive,' Mudd stressed. 'If the subpoenas appear more about optics control than substantive legal merit, the court of public opinion will be less forgiving.' As for how this could have been handled differently, Mudd suggested issuing a 'clear, public-facing rebuttal addressing false claims without targeting individuals.' He also advised Lively to 'engage legal remedies only when truly necessary, proportionate, and strategic.' David B. Hoppe, a California-based attorney and the founder of Gamma Law, also weighed in on the line between protecting a client's interests in a civil case and potentially infringing on the rights of independent creators and journalists. 'Subpoenas such as this can create a chilling effect, discouraging individuals from exercising their rights to free speech and commentary out of fear of legal repercussions or harassment,' he told Hoppe continued: 'With respect to these subpoenas, the court will need to balance the importance to Lively to support her claim of a coordinated campaign by Baldoni to discredit her against the free speech rights of these content creators.' As for whether this situation could set a concerning precedent for how civil litigants approach online commentary, Hoppe said: 'If broad subpoenas like those in this dispute go unchallenged, they risk normalizing a litigation tactic that treats routine online commentary as potential evidence, encouraging well‑funded plaintiffs to demand personal data from platforms whenever criticism appears.' 'Such fishing expeditions shift discovery from fact‑finding to intimidation, particularly when the targets are small creators with minimal reach and no clear role in the underlying dispute,' he explained. The possible consequence would be 'independent voices self‑censor to avoid legal costs, and public debate narrows to outlets that can afford regular counsel.' has reached out to Lively and Baldoni's reps for comment. Last week, Lively caused an uproar on social media after sending a subpoena to Google asking for information about the accounts of pro-Justin Baldoni YouTubers. Influencers targeted with Lively's subpoenas include conservative firebrand Candace Owens, Andy Signore and reportedly celebrity gossip hound Perez Hilton. The furious content creators are calling the legal probe an 'invasion of privacy', 'shady' and claim it is a bid to silence them from criticizing the Gossip Girl star during her infamous lawsuit with It Ends With Us co-star Baldoni. Some of the contacted YouTubers are influential with hundreds of thousands of subscribers, the most well-known being Candace Owens. Others have less than 300 followers and say they can't afford an attorney to fight the demand for data. A subpoena to Google dated July 3 and obtained by demands that at least 16 content creators turn over their email, phone number, physical address and payment details for their premium accounts - including credit card or bank account numbers, blockchain addresses and a log of every session they've had since May 1, 2024, with exact dates and times. Andy Signore, host of YouTube channel Popcorned Planet, told that he believes Lively is trying to unmask It Ends With Us crew members who spoke out to him anonymously for his upcoming documentary series. 'It's shocking to be honest,' Signore said. 'Not because I have anything to hide, but because she thinks she can just bully and intimidate independent journalists. I won't let her. 'My lawyers and I will be fighting all of it.' Florida-based Lauren Neidigh, 32, has a job helping psychology patients help get their health insurance claims paid. In her spare time, she posts videos about the filings from the Lively-Baldoni alleged sexual harassment and smear campaign lawsuit on a small channel with around 20,000 subscribers. When she received the notice, she couldn't believe it. 'When I first got the email, I was so shocked,' she told 'I had a couple of my lawyer friends look at it. I was like, what do I even do about this? 'Now we've determined this is real and not a scam, I intend to file my own motion to quash and fight her myself.' The notices of the subpoena to Google were delivered on email to the YouTubers via their Google accounts and were addressed from Lively's attorney Esra Hudson at Manatt Phelps & Phillips. But Signore said he was then told by Manatt's firm that the requests were not real. 'My lawyer spoke to Blake Lively's lawyers,' said Signore in a rant on YouTube. 'We called Esra's office, and they told him twice that it was fake. 'This is so damn shady. 'I am furious at Blake Lively and her law firm about the Google subpoena,' he added in an interview with 'There was a whole confusion around whether this was a real notification,' said Neidigh. 'I didn't know if I needed to do anything, or how I should deal with this.' Lively's lawyer, Esra Hudson, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On July 11, Google customer service replied to Signore's posts on X, confirming that the notification he received via his Google account 'is legitimate and was sent as part of our user notice policy for legal matters.' 'But when I read through, I thought some of the stuff doesn't even make sense. And then I started to put the pieces together when I read the pieces after that. The notices were sent out to the YouTubers via their Google accounts and demanded 16 content creators to produce their private information - which initially led many to believe that it was a phishing scam The 26-page subpoena lists 16 YouTubers, saying Google is 'commanded' to provide information by July 16 at 5pm. It asks for 'All subscriber information, for the username [YouTube user] associated with YouTube and Google Pay, including but not limited to: (a) the first and last name; (b) registered email address(es); (c) phone numbers); (d) physical address; (e) backup/recovery email address or phone number; (f) subscriber registration information; (g) length of service (including start date) and any premium services utilized; (h) means and source of payment for such services, if applicable (including any credit card or bank account number, or public blockchain data and addresses); (i) Login Internet Protocol (IP) address used for initial registration; and (j) IP address used from May 1, 2024 to the present, with dates and session times; and (k) video upload IP addresses.' Neidigh said she thinks Lively is trying to prove a conspiracy about Baldoni paying content creators to smear the actress. 'Maybe she thinks it'll show people were paid or benefitting in some way to cover her case, because she says the smear campaign is ongoing,' she said. 'That's absolutely not true. I used to really like her movies, and I watched Gossip Girl of course. I really like Ryan Reynolds' movies. So, I had an open mind when I started looking into all of this. 'But when I read through, I thought some of the stuff doesn't even make sense. And then I started to put the pieces together when I read the pieces after that. 'So, there's never been an incentive for me other than I'm interested in her lawsuit.' Signore said he believes Lively has a further motive to get information from him. 'Aside from my reporting on Popcorned Planet, I am also directing a documentary: 'It Ends With Justice'. In it we located and spoke to various crew members from IEWU anonymously,' he said. 'These crew members were disgusted by what Blake was putting out in the press about the filming, and they wanted to share their side. But they are terrified of being blacklisted by Ryan, CAA etc. 'So, they appeared anonymously, blurred and with masks on to protect their identities. I believe Blake and Ryan want those sources. I will not betray those sources. 'This machine is terrifying. They are shady. They clearly will do anything to mess with us. It is unnerving what they will do.' One notice recipient, Norwegian entertainment journalist Kjersti Flaa, was previously linked to claims of an anti-Lively smear campaign orchestrated by Baldoni. A December New York Times story about the alleged plot mentions Flaa's interview with Lively, while describing alleged 'negative publicity' that was 'seeded' or 'amplified' by Baldoni's publicists. 'At no point did anyone contact me from his team or from her team,' Flaa told the Hollywood Reporter earlier this year. 'The thing is, she smeared herself in that video, and people reacted to it online. [The reason] for her becoming unpopular is because of her own behavior.' Flaa and another creator, Katie Joy whose YouTube channel Without A Crystal Ball has 440,000 subscribers, have offered to help smaller creators fight the subpoena. 'We are all on one subpoena and are strength in numbers,' she posted on her Instagram account. 'Both Kjersti and I have attorneys working on this and believe if we can do this all together we can not only save some of the smaller creators money but also show strength to the court that we are not paid bots or journalists working for Baldoni.' One smalltime creator, 'SophieUnsual', accused Lively of 'punching down' by including her the demand. 'Real and normal people's lives are being impacted financially because of Blake Lively's legal saga,' she wrote on Instagram. 'It's punching down on an individual level.' Neidigh said she believes the subpoena will have a chilling effect on independent creators covering the case. 'When you start going after people speaking their mind on their own platforms, you scare people out of doing that. 'That fear is by design, to keep people silent. 'It's a little intimidating. But I want to stick up for myself in this way.' She added that she thinks Lively's subpoena could be retaliation for the fiery criticism Neidigh lobbed at the actress in her videos – including calling her a 'c**t'. 'It feels like revenge to me,' she said. Another contacted content creator, 'ExistingToThrive', posted a video on TikTok slamming Lively. 'The whole idea that this is all misogyny,' she said. 'We don't hate women. We just hate Blake.' Owens, Hilton and Signore reportedly received more extensive demands than other smaller creators, demanding they turn over any communications they have had with Baldoni or his co-defendants in the lawsuit with Lively. Owens and Signore say they have been served directly with these more extensive subpoenas. But on Monday Hilton said on his podcast that he is yet to be served with any legal demands, despite a TMZ report that Lively is in the process of subpoenaing him. Owens responded to her notice of the subpoena with a video to her 4.4 million followers, saying she was 'elated' and 'honored' to receive the legal demand. 'It feels like a graduation ceremony of sorts for me and all of my podcast listeners,' she said. 'This is meant to be a hit. It's supposed to make us look bad. 'I have not the slightest idea what I am being subpoenaed for as I knew none of these parties when their respective lawsuits were filed.' Owens complained that news of her subpoena appeared to have been leaked to TMZ before she even received the legal document. Neidigh said she will be filing a motion to quash on her own, without a lawyer representing her. Popular YouTuber Zack Peter who covers Lively's case extensively slammed her for issuing the subpoena, but said he was perplexed over why he didn't receive one too. 'I think Blake is trying to scare creators and get them to stop talking about her. Luckily, I'm not easily scared,' he said. 'Bring on the subpoenas because I have ZERO intention of letting this story go. I'm in it until the end. 'I think Blake Lively studied Amber Heard's case and is doing everything she can to protect herself. Part of that is scaring people that are covering this case. 'But we're not part of Hollywood. She has no control over us. She can't scare us. We have each other's backs, and we look out for each other. We're not fighting for Baldoni. We're fighting for justice.'
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump-whisperer Laura Loomer sharpens her knives for Pam Bondi
MAGA activist Laura Loomer has set her sights on ousting Attorney General Pam Bondi, as the White House fends off fury from the president's base over its handling of the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's criminal case and death. Loomer called on FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino to ask for Bondi's public resignation Friday morning, writing on social media that Patel and Bongino had clashed with Bondi over the investigation. Loomer also claimed that Bongino had taken the day off from work 'to evaluate whether or not he wants to continue his position,' which POLITICO has not independently confirmed. Axios later reported that Bongino did not attend work on Friday after butting heads with Bondi earlier this week. 'Pam Blondi is very damaging to President Trump's image. She drags the administration down and the base doesn't want her as AG,' Loomer wrote in a post on X. 'She is harming Trump's administration and she's embarrassing all of his staff and advisors by creating a PR crisis for them. It's incredibly unfair to President Trump and his team.' In a statement, White House spokesperson Harrison Fields disavowed reports of infighting surrounding the investigation within the administration. 'President Trump has assembled a highly qualified and experienced law and order team dedicated to protecting Americans, holding criminals accountable, and delivering justice to victims," Fields said. "This work is being carried out seamlessly and with unity. Any attempt to sow division within this team is baseless and distracts from the real progress being made in restoring public safety and pursuing justice for all.' The Trump administration announced Monday night that a DOJ and FBI review found no evidence that Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 in a New York jail cell, kept an incriminating 'client list' long sought after by conspiracy theorists. Loomer's pressure campaign is the latest development in an episode of Republican infighting about the investigation, with MAGA supporters fuming at Bondi's Justice Department for not releasing more information about its findings. Loomer, who has sought an official role in the administration, has long had the president's ear, repeatedly targeting those whom she views as disloyal to the president. In April, Loomer took credit for Trump's firing of several National Security Council officials and criticized Trump's pick to be the Pentagon's top lawyer, accusing him of seeking to undermine Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. She has met with senior administration officials — including Vice President JD Vance — and continues to have sway over the president's online base. Even so, Trump has at times attempted to distance himself from Loomer, who has a history of promoting far-right conspiracy theories and has described herself as a 'proud Islamophobe,' with some Republicans warning that Trump's ties to the far-right activist could cost him votes in the 2024 election. In a Friday morning social media post, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote that he worked closely with Patel and Bongino on the memo and that all three officials signed off on the memo's contents and conclusions. 'The suggestion by anyone that there was any daylight between the FBI and DOJ leadership on this memo's composition and release is patently false,' Blanche wrote. The DOJ referred to Blanche's statement, and the FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Fast Company
11-07-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
20 strategies to manage your brand's reputation in uncertain times
In an unpredictable market, your brand's reputation can feel simultaneously more fragile and more important than ever. A single misstep, a poorly handled crisis, or a lack of clear communication can erode trust faster than it's built. To help you avoid a PR crisis, 20 Fast Company Executive Board members each share their best practices for managing brand reputation. Follow their advice to strengthen and protect your brand, no matter the external circumstances. 1. BE AUTHENTIC AND TRANSPARENT. Authenticity and transparency are key during uncertain times. Companies that communicate honestly about challenges and demonstrate consistent action aligned with values maintain brand reputation. Double down on your values and communicate them through actions, not just messaging. Your customers and communities can see through corporate-speak. – Joynicole Martinez, The Alchemist Agency 2. IDENTIFY AND FOSTER THE BELIEFS YOU WANT OTHERS TO HAVE ABOUT YOU. Be intentional. Answer: What beliefs do you want people to have about you, and why? What new information and experiences do you need to provide to shape these beliefs? What are your key responsibilities in creating these beliefs? How will you track whether you're fostering the desired beliefs, and how will you prevent negative slippage? – Shawn Galloway, ProAct Safety, Inc. 3. FOCUS DEEPLY ON YOUR CUSTOMERS' NEEDS. Stay steadfastly focused on the needs of your customers. In today's world, uncertain times are a constant. Resist chasing shiny objects and avoid reactive decision-making. Always listen to your clients and act deliberately, keeping long-term value instead of short-term noise as your organization's North Star. – Kurt Donnell, Freestar 4. STAY VISIBLE BY SHARING YOUR OPINIONS. Be visible, engage in debate, and have an opinion on the future of your industry. Those who lead with a willingness to be wrong are appreciated by others and are rewarded with advocacy in the long run. – Richard Swain, DesignStudio 5. PRIORITIZE PLANNING, POLICY, AND MITIGATION. A three-step practice of planning, policy, and mitigation is key to brand reputation management. Ensure that your company has ethical and robust communications policies in place, with a mechanism to respond quickly to any negative issues. – Deborah Collier, Digital Skills Authority 6. PROVE YOUR ROI CLEARLY. Focus on clearly demonstrating how your solutions drive measurable value for your clients to strengthen trust and reputation in uncertain markets. During uncertain times, businesses double down on value and prioritize partners who can prove ROI. – Brad Rosenfeld, Allvue Systems 7. COMMUNICATE LIKE A HUMAN, NOT A CORPORATION. Don't mince words. Lead with facts and say it like a human. Your brand reputation is what you do consistently and how you make people feel when uncertainty strikes. – Pooja Vijay Kumar, Autodesk 8. GENUINELY LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR 'PEOPLE' HAVE TO SAY. Stay close to your 'people' (customers, employees, and partners) and really listen to what they have to say. In uncertain markets, your reputation is built on how well you reflect their needs and values in real time. Consistent, honest communication builds trust faster than perfection ever will. – Kristin Russel, symplr 9. POSITION UNIQUENESS AS ADVANTAGE. Position what makes your company unique as a strategic advantage. When we entered the competitive U.S. market, we showcased our European experience managing complex, multi-country operations as a differentiator that domestic players couldn't match. We transformed our foreign background from a potential weakness into one of our strongest selling points for customers seeking global expertise. – Dan Amzallag, Ivalua 10. STAY GROUNDED IN YOUR MISSION. In uncertain markets, consistency and clarity are your strongest assets. We focus on communicating our core purpose, who we serve, and how we deliver value across every channel. Whether through personalized in-store messaging, thought leadership, or direct customer interaction, staying grounded in your brand's mission builds trust. – Jaime Bettencourt, Mood Media 11. BUILD AN EMOTIONAL CONNECTION WITH CONSUMERS. The first question is: Do you have one (a brand reputation)? Have you established a unique and distinctive brand that evokes emotional attachment with your customers and employees? If not, it may be time to engage in a deep brand refresh, because, in an uncertain marketplace, cautious consumers will place even more stock in the brands that resonate with them the loudest. – Bob Sprague, Yes& 12. OWN THE NARRATIVE (BEFORE OTHERS DO). Get in front of the story and tell the truth—fast. People don't need perfection—they need honesty. I've learned the hard way that silence is a vacuum that gets filled with doubt. The best thing you can do is own the narrative. Be real about where you are, what you're doing, and why it matters. Trust isn't built in good times—it's built when everything's sideways. That's how brands earn loyalty. – Gregory Vetter, Alta Fresh Foods 13. MITIGATE BIASES BY QUESTIONING ASSUMPTIONS. Manage the biases inherent in critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision making. In uncertain marketplaces, being overly certain is a liability. Question assumptions. – Jay Steven Levin, WinThinking 14. MONITOR MARKET TRENDS. Keep a watchful eye on market trends, and consider the behavior of other organizations, both competitors and customers. Talk to analysts, advisors, and influencers to see what they're hearing and compare this with your own team's insights. – Caitlin MacGregor, Plum 15. STAY CONFIDENT AND CONSISTENT IN YOUR MESSAGING. In uncertain times, people seek stability, so focus on the consistency of your brand experience and the ongoing optimism of your brand message. Don't lose yourself by mimicking marketplace anxiety or chasing social trends, be confident in who you are—and why you matter—to your best customers. – Tim Maleeny, Quad 16. SHARE BOTH WINS AND CHALLENGES OPENLY. In an uncertain marketplace, the brands that thrive are the ones that communicate openly, even when the news isn't perfect. Share not just your wins, but your challenges, decisions, and what you're doing to adapt. In times of change, trust becomes your brand's currency. Transparency shows you're human, builds credibility, and turns your audience into long-term advocates, not just fair-weather fans. – Alexander Kwapis 17. CREATE STRONG CUSTOMER FEEDBACK LOOPS. Staying closely attuned to customers is essential. We actively listen via surveys, sales conversations, community forums, and review platforms to understand shifting needs and evolve our offerings. We see ourselves as guardians of their success. A strong feedback loop with service and fulfillment teams ensures quick issue resolution and continuous improvement. – Daniel Lysaught, LegalZoom 18. ACT WITH INTEGRITY AND COHERENCE. Amid uncertainty, your brand's reputation isn't managed—it's lived. Practice radical coherence. When markets shake, people crave what's real. They smell the gap between who you say you are and who you actually are. Let your actions be your brand. When chaos hits, don't polish your image—deepen your integrity. Trust flows toward truth, especially when everything else wobbles. – Dr. Camille Preston, AIM Leadership, LLC 19. BUILD WITH YOUR COMMUNITY. Lead with a community-first mindset. Track cultural shifts, social chatter, and unmet needs to spot emerging narratives. Host ideation sessions to co-create, critique, and prioritize. Use feedback loops, beta drops, and storytelling. Rapidly test ideas with your community. Build with them; trust, innovation, and brand fandom will follow. – Val Vacante, dentsu
Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Prince Harry, King Charles and the rift 40 years in the making
It is January 2005. The birthday party's questionable theme is 'natives and colonials'. The man third in line to the throne plumps for a Nazi officer's uniform with a red swastika wrapped around his left arm. The photos leak and a national scandal ensues. During the PR crisis that followed, the 20-year-old royal rang his father, Prince Charles. 'To my surprise he was serene,' Harry recalled in his 2023 memoir, Spare. 'He spoke to me with such tenderness, such genuine compassion, that I was disarmed.' Seven years later, pictures emerge of Harry naked in a Las Vegas hotel room after playing strip pool. Mid-brouhaha, he meets up with his father in Scotland. 'To my surprise, to my relief, he was gentle,' Harry later recalled.
