Southwest Airlines: A Case Study On How Quickly Reputational Tides Can Turn

Oh, how fast the mighty can fall. In February of 2022, Southwest Airlines was named one of Forbes 2022 America’s Best Employers – their 7th time on this list SOUTHWEST AIRLINES ONCE AGAIN RANKED AMONG FORBES’ BEST EMPLOYERS IN AMERICA | Markets Insider (businessinsider.com). As recently as March 2022, J.D. Powers ranked Southwest Airlines at …

Lessons From An Entrepreneur: Using Basic PR Principles To Grow Your Business

Last week, the Yankee Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) hosted its annual summer social at the LaBelle Winery in Derry, NH LaBelle Winery – Amherst, Derry & Portsmouth NH. As part of the fun, members heard directly from founder Amy LaBelle the story of overcoming obstacles to realize her dreams, and …

Crisis by Board Member

Front and center in the news the last few days has been the drama around Elon Musk joining Twitter’s Board of Directors.  The controversy has to do primarily with Musk’s alignment (or non-alignment) with the values and culture of the Twitter family.  Whether your organization is for profit or not-for-profit, it raises an interesting question:  …

Talking About Suicide: A PR Strategy for raising awareness of a difficult subject

The NH Coalition for Suicide Prevention, spearheaded by the Brain Injury Association of NH, was recently launched to raise awareness about the issue of suicide among members of vulnerable populations like people with brain injuries, people with disabilities, Veterans, first responders, police and the elderly.  Their work complements the efforts of other NH organizations focusing …

Beyond COVID-19: Issue Anticipation For 2022

If we can force ourselves to peek beyond COVID and see what issues/crises might be coming in 2022, we may be able to prepare ahead of them.  That was the topic of the panel presented prior to the Yankee Chapter of PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) annual meeting, moderated by Robin Schell, APR, Fellow …

Helping Others To Take Care of Our Veterans: Campaigns Encourage Sharing of Resources and Support While Building Teamwork and CSR

In the month of November, and on Veterans Day in particular, we focus on those who have served, or are currently serving our country, and we thank them for their service.  JJ&W “Ask the Question” Listens Then Shares Resources In its effort to listen and better serve the community, the NH Legislative Commission on PTSD …

How to Change Behavior around the Dangerous Behavior of Drink Spiking

True story.  Just two weeks ago, two 25-year old women walked into a local, popular Boston bar, accompanied by a young man who is a friend. It is 10 p.m. It was their first and only stop of the evening.  After dinner and a few drinks prior at home, they ordered one round of drinks …

Pearls of Wisdom from PR Road Warriors

Last week I had the pleasure of moderating a panel at the PRSA Northeast District Conference called, “Pearls of Wisdom From PR’s Road Warriors.”  One of the things I value most about my membership in the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the willingness of our members to share their experiences (as well as …

Using the Triggering Event of COVID to Impact Culture Change

Triggering events, whether created for us or by us, can create a fissure in the current behaviors and beliefs of stakeholders. These fissures, if smartly managed, can help transform an organization’s culture. Even before the trauma of the last year, healthcare was reeling from a bevy of changes and pressures. Nursing shortages, changing business models, …

#MASKUPMA: APPLYING THE BEHAVIOR CHANGE MODEL TO COVID-19

Here in Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker has launched the #MaskUpMA campaign to raise awareness and stimulate behaviors that will reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our state in the coming months.  His collective efforts to guide the public’s behavior during the pandemic follow the 4-Step Public Behavior Change Model, based on the work of leading …