Best of Q4 2024
In this special End of Year edition of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll reflect on some of the most compelling stories and discussions from their first season.From Episode 1, "Ford Quits the…
First-month Scorecards for Companies Under Trump
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the evolving landscape of corporate reputation management under the Trump administration. They explore and rate how companies are navigating challenges such as tariffs, the impact of political affiliations on brand perception, and the ongoing debate around diversity initiatives. The conversation also introduces the concept of 'Relationates' as a more nuanced approach to stakeholder engagement, emphasizing the importance of understanding various audience dynamics in corporate communication.
Buy Sally Susman's book, Breaking Through: Communicating to Open Minds, Move Hearts, and Change the World here
Takeaways
corporate reputation, Trump administration, tech industry, tariffs, Tesla, diversity initiatives, stakeholder engagement, communication strategy
Companies Mentioned
Google, Meta, Amazon, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, CVS, Chipotle, American Airlines, Tesla, SpaceX, Twitter, Target, Disney, Goldman Sachs
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Corporate Reputation Strategies
07:07 Tech Companies and Their Strategies Under Trump
13:43 The Auto Industry's Response to Tariffs
14:12 Diversity Initiatives in Corporate America
22:40 Reframing Stakeholders as Relationates
Hashtags
#CorporateReputation, #Trump, #TechIndustry, #Tariffs, #Tesla, #diversity, #DEI, #StakeholderEngagement, #CommunicationStrategy
Communication Breakdown is a production of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation.
Hosted by Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling.
Produced by Shawn P Neal and the team at AdvoCast.
For questions, feedback, or episode suggestions, reach out at podcast@ocrnetwork.com
Buy Sally Susman's book, Breaking Through: Communicating to Open Minds, Move Hearts, and Change the World here
Takeaways
- Tariffs are creating significant challenges for the auto industry.
- Tesla's alignment with political figures is harming its reputation.
- Diversity initiatives are under scrutiny but still hold public support.
- Silence from companies can be a risky strategy.
- The chaos tension triangle helps companies balance risks.
- The term 'relationates' offers a broader understanding of stakeholder dynamics.
corporate reputation, Trump administration, tech industry, tariffs, Tesla, diversity initiatives, stakeholder engagement, communication strategy
Companies Mentioned
Google, Meta, Amazon, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, CVS, Chipotle, American Airlines, Tesla, SpaceX, Twitter, Target, Disney, Goldman Sachs
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Corporate Reputation Strategies
07:07 Tech Companies and Their Strategies Under Trump
13:43 The Auto Industry's Response to Tariffs
14:12 Diversity Initiatives in Corporate America
22:40 Reframing Stakeholders as Relationates
Hashtags
#CorporateReputation, #Trump, #TechIndustry, #Tariffs, #Tesla, #diversity, #DEI, #StakeholderEngagement, #CommunicationStrategy
Communication Breakdown is a production of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation.
Hosted by Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling.
Produced by Shawn P Neal and the team at AdvoCast.
For questions, feedback, or episode suggestions, reach out at podcast@ocrnetwork.com
More episodes
Attack of the Drones
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the recent surge of drone sightings across the eastern United States, the government's response, and the public's reaction. They e…
UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Sends Shockwaves
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the tragic shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and its implications for corporate communication. They explore the publ…
Walmart's U-turn on DEI
In this episode, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss Walmart's recent decision to roll back its commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. They explore the political and economic pressures inf…
JaGUar’s Roundly-Panned Rebrand
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll dissect Jaguar's recent rebranding efforts, focusing on a controversial promotional video that has sparked widespread criticism. They expl…
Trump II: Chaos Communications
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the implications of the new Trump administration on corporate communication strategies. They explore the themes of adaptability, b…
Now What?
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the implications of Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election on corporate communication strategies. They analyze the cont…
Bezos' No-Endorsements Brouhaha
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the recent controversial decision by Jeff Bezos, owner of the Washington Post, to halt presidential endorsements. This decision sp…
McDonald’s: You Want Fries With That?
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss McDonald's recent challenges, including a political photo op with Donald Trump and a serious E. coli outbreak linked to their food…
Kellogg’s, Crumbl, and Angry Customers
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the controversy surrounding Kellogg's and its failure to eliminate artificial ingredients from its cereals, despite a decade-old p…
You Deserve a (Price) Break Today
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the reputational challenges faced by consumer companies in the wake of price increases and supply chain issues. They explore McDon…
The Headless Boar
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll discuss the recent crisis faced by Boar's Head due to food safety issues, including listeria contamination that resulted in multiple death…
Ford Quits the HRC Index
In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll explore the evolving landscape of corporate communications, particularly in relation to the Corporate Equality Index and the impact of act…