Say it right when things go wrong. That's the general rule of the thumb in PR when bad things happen to good companies. So when the chips are down the essential elements of crisis communications must kick in: know your problem inside out, know your audiences, know your message and take charge of delivery. Get in front of the situation and guide the message. You may take a few hits, but in general, candor and cooperation go miles toward restoring credibility and reputation. Journalists often respond positively to genuine candor, as does...

Chin Up for JPMorgan Chase's Dimon When I heard JPMorgan Chase honcho Jamie Dimon has been slogging against a justified tide of criticism for his bank's miserable $2B trading loss last week, and he's being well advised by his people: Don't pass the buck, don't blame anyone, and take your hits. The Washington Post reported: "Dimon, unusually subdued, told shareholders at the JPMorgan annual  meeting that the company’s mistakes were “self-inflicted.” Speaking with  reporters later, he added: “The buck always stops with...