The coal mining accident that claimed 12 lives last week was not the first of its kind, and it won’t be the last. (In fact, as I write this column, one of the top stories from the Associated Press is about a Kentucky coal miner who was killed in a roof collapse this evening.) Outside of the communities affected by the accident, the rest of the world will most likely remember the terrible case of miscommunication that led many people - most importantly the miners’ family members - to believe that all or most of the miners who remained trapped had survived. This miscommunication, of course, could have been prevented. (Read more…)

It’s only March 1, but it might as well be April 1, because everywhere I look, I see fools. (Read more…)

I never thought I’d say the words “Poor Dick Cheney,” but that’s exactly what I’ve been thinking this week. Cheney, of course, is the Vice President of the United States, and he’s also the man with the most famous hunting accident of all time under his belt. (Read more…)

One of the things I enjoy about my current job as an investment analyst and commentator is that everyday I learn about new companies. In the process, I meet new public relations people and witness a variety of PR strategies stretching across dozens of business sectors. One company that I’ve come to admire recently in my work is Willis Group, one of the world’s largest insurance brokers. (Read more…)

An amazing event is taking place online and it’s one that could help reshape how we think about public relations. The Global PR Blog Week 1.0 is what it’s called and it bills itself as “an online event that will engage PR, marketing and business bloggers from around the globe in a discussion about blogging and communications.” In a nutshell, some of the most intriguing PR and marketing minds from around the world have been brought together to discuss the online world and how it applies to the business of marketing and public relations. (Read more…)

Each year brings us a new batch of public relations losers, and this year we have some good ones. We’ll look at the winners next week. (Read more…)

It’s been almost a year since I was active as a journalist, so I was surprised when a former colleague emailed me and asked me if I had a public relations contact at Amazon.com. (Read more…)

Here we go again.

Last year it was Fox News Channel; this year, it’s Google. The crime? PR people blacklisting journalists because they’re not happy with a media outlet’s coverage. (Read more…)

The summer is coming to a sad end as the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina is felt across the Gulf Coast. The headlines will, no doubt, be dominated by Katrina-related news for the next few weeks. (Read more…)