2. Founder and President and CEO of Caponigro
Public Relations
areas:
crisis communications, media
relations, branding and
reputation-management
2
3. • B.A. degree from Central
Michigan University
(major: English and journalism)
• trustee of the board of CMU
(6 years)
• Chairman of the Board
(2 years)
3
5. Author of one of the most popular PR books
5
▷ called THE CRISIS COUNSELOR: A step-by-
step guide to managing a business crisis
▷ named by New York-based PR WEEK
magazine as one of the “10 best PR books
ever written.”
6. 1. Induction into the Public Relations Society of
America’s College of Fellows
Milestones
6
2. Accreditation
in Public
Relations
3. PRSA’s highest
national award (the
Silver Anvil)
7. 4. The multi-year PR program.
7
Milestones
5. The 1995 recall of seat belts.
6. Establishment of Caponigro Public
Relations (1995).
8. Caponigro Public Relations has managed crisis situations
related to
8
▷ product recalls,
▷ environmental issues,
▷ tainted fast food,
▷ employee layoffs,
▷ work-related accidents and deaths,
▷ plant closings,
▷ government probes,
▷ malpractice and discrimination cases,
9. Caponigro Public Relations has managed crisis situations
related to
9
▷ shortfalls in profit performance,
▷ hostile takeovers,
▷ mergers and acquisitions,
▷ product-related lawsuits,
▷ negative media coverage,
▷ strikes,
▷ boycotts,
▷ damaging rumors,
▷ accidental deaths, and many others.
10. one of the nation’s five best “crisis and issues
management firms” and “public affairs firms”
the first public relations agency to earn ISO 9001:2000
certification
winner of the nation’s top award for PR firms, called the
SABRE Award, in the category of “Client Service.”
10
Caponigro Public Relations
11. Three Lessons to Learn:
• Work hard to establish goodwill with your employees
before a crisis occurs
• All businesses are vulnerable to negative actions by
current and former employees
• Communicate openly and honestly with employees
during a crisis.
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