Martha Stewart’s continuing travails provide an intriguing look at how PR can help and hinder individuals and organizations at a time of crisis.
Kevin Dugan has been closely following developments since the end of last year and has been keeping a mini-blog on developments.
“Stewart�s first public appearance during the scandal was the most damaging of all. We could note this snafu proves out the importance of media training, but lets consider the bigger issue of brand strategy. Crisis communications� and media training’s role in a brand strategy is to preserve and reinforce the brand�when used proactively. Far too often, they’re used reactively with mixed results.”
From Martha’s website, Martha Talks:
“Many people have asked me what they can do to help at this juncture. If I can ask just one thing of the public that has benefited for many years from my work and the creative output of my company, it would be to continue to support Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, regardless of what happens to me. Remember, please, that this was a personal matter that, because of the power of the press and the persistence of the government, spilled over onto an uninvolved company, harming all the people who labor so very hard, doing such admirable work. Please keep the company alive and our employees doing the jobs they love.”
Murphy's Law 