Admin - Mahony Partners

Jan

2016

BlackRock Plays the Victim in ETF Drama

Portraying yourself as a victim can be a great communication strategy. It deflects attention and can even arouse sympathy. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has been playing the part masterfully ever since a volatile stock market exposed flaws in one of his company’s biggest products. But is BlackRock the victim - or the villain? Read More

Jan

2016

Charles Koch Steps into the Light

Taking & Managing Risk

We are just days into the New Year, but the first PR coup of 2016 belongs to Charles Koch, head of Koch Industries and the demon-mogul of Democratic candidates everywhere. Mr. Koch gave a rare interview to the Financial Times that allowed him to pitch his ideas, refute his... Read More

Nov

2015

‘Tis the Season…for Banker Bonus Buzz

Financial Services

The days grow shorter. A dusting of frost appears. The season seems to arrive earlier every year. Yes, it’s time for the annual speculation about banker bonuses. (more…) Read More

Oct

2015

Four Risk Communication Mistakes by Theranos

Crisis

It’s been a busy week for Elizabeth Holmes, the wunderkind CEO of Theranos, a blood-testing company under fire after a news article questioned the effectiveness of its products. She's done an admirable job of defending the company since, but that task would have been easier if she’d avoi... Read More

Oct

2015

The Shortest Campaign Sound-Bite Ever

Elections

The votes are in, and the best sound-bite from the Democratic candidates’ debate last week belonged to Hillary Clinton. Not only was it the best retort of the night, it was perhaps the shortest sound-bite in presidential debate history. (more…) Read More

Oct

2015

Danny Meyer’s Restaurant Revolution

Taking & Managing Risk

Risky moves in the restaurant industry are usually confined to the menu. But Union Square Hospitality Group, owner of some of New York’s most renowned eateries, took a bold step last week by announcing it would end tipping. It shows that even a successful business sometimes has to make a radical change to thrive. (more…) Read More

Oct

2015

Is Businesswire Doomed?

Uncategorized

Goldman Sachs released its quarterly results last week over Twitter, abandoning the news distribution services it had used since becoming a public company in 1999. It’s welcome news for Twitter, which could use the boost, but not for Businesswire and PRNewswire, the two giants in the news services industry. Silence from the SEC suggests more companies could follow. (more…) Read More

Oct

2015

A Lesson from the Bill Gross Lawsuit

Crisis, Financial Services, Taking & Managing Risk

Like a modern-day Molotov cocktail, the lawsuit filed by Bill Gross against his former employer and colleagues at Pimco burst into flame on the internet, just as intended. It’s an example of how lawyers are starting to realize that telling a sizzling story is at least as important as making a strong legal argument. (more…) Read More

Sep

2015

Jeff Immelt Really Wants You to Buy His Stock

Advertising, Financial Services

A CEO can be vague about a lot of things, but there’s one clear sign he is frustrated by a lagging stock price - a big newspaper ad. Jeff Immelt, CEO of General Electric, is the latest to write a check to proclaim the virtues of his company’s shares. Will it work? Read More

Sep

2015

UBS Wants to Have a Little Talk

Financial Services

Give UBS credit for bravely launching a major ad campaign when antipathy toward big banks is as strong as ever. The ads pose deeply personal questions in a bid to put UBS in the middle of an individual’s most critical dialogue. But will people let UBS inside? ... Read More