Here’s a manifesto in favour of decent top-down adult leadership rather than the febrile fashions of the crowd.   Read on ›

On the night of Wednesday 8^th June, Alastair Campbell issued a stark warning to British journalists. Speaking ‘in conversation’ with Bill Hagerty, editor of British Journalism Review, New Labour’s former spin doctor warned that journalism risks losing even more integrity by shifting its ‘centre of gravity’ further towards celebrity culture. Read on ›

The president of the United States presides over a sluggish economy. Unemployment is increasing, gas prices are high and his administration’s various initiatives to boost the depressed housing market – a key economic influence – have all failed. Consumer and business confidence remain low and economists are downgrading growth forecasts. Yet Barack Obama’s approval ratings remain above 40 per cent and he seems as popular in Europe as his predecessor was reviled. Is this simply down to public relations? Read on ›

Blimey, talk about the emperor’s wardrobe. Look around, and PR professionals will quickly come across a new-ish crop of pseudo-science which is supposed to guide them as to what their trade is and how to do it.

They shouldn’t need the warning, but some seem to. This stuff is likely to be claptrap. Read on ›

At the Senate hearing into the Gulf of Mexico oil spill BP, Transocean and Halliburton disputed each other’s account of what caused the accident. It was a messy affair. But in it I glimpsed the makings of a much-needed corrective PR campaign. Read on ›

Made public yesterday, the last words from a family of four: “We’re in a Lexus. . . and we’re going north on 125 and our accelerator is stuck. . . we’re in trouble. . . there’s no brakes. . . we’re approaching the intersection. . . hold on. . . hold on and pray. . . pray.” Read on ›

Unite, the union representing BA cabin crew, has postponed the threat of industrial action until after the Easter holidays to allow “families to be able to plan their travel arrangements in confidence”. That would appear to be a good PR move, but it isn’t. Read on ›

I found a great quote from Warren Buffett on the PR blog of Dr. Leslie Gaines-Ross, Weber Shandwick’s Chief Reputation Strategist, and it set me thinking. Does Buffett’s quote contradict my take on Ryanair? Read on ›

France Telecom has been getting unwelcome attention. It stands accused of driving 24 of its workers to suicide over an eighteen-month period. Rather than fight its corner, the company seems to prefer the old bad PR strategy: ”apologise, reform and move on”. Why so? Read on ›

Gianfranco Zola – manager of West Ham United – is confident that our team’s four-match losing streak is set to end soon. He says it could start on Saturday at the Riverside when we face Middlesbrough, before home matches against Everton and Portsmouth. Read on ›