In PR, perception is reality. So how do you deal with the media during a crisis? How do you test a crisis plan? How improtant is crisis communications? What to do in a crisis?
So what is the perception of the BP boss Tony Hayward sailing at the weekend in a $600,000 plus luxury yacht off the Isle of Wight as the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster continued?
It is not a good look.
BP'S boss was blasted yesterday for going sailing - as it emerged the firm is even being sued by a STRIP CLUB.
President Barack Obama's chief of staff Rahm Emanuel said it was another in a "long line of PR gaffes" by Mr Hayward.
Referring to Mr Hayward's earlier moan that he wanted "his life back", he said: "He's got his life back, as he would say."
BP is believed to have approved a scheme last week to raise $60 billion to cover damages - and has already received 64,000 claims.
In a crisis the rules are communicate the news early, communicate all of it and be the one to tell it.
In this case actions speak louder than words. Arrogance is a word many disgruntled stakeholders would be using.
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