Annotated Bibliography is designed to get you focused on the literature related to your project. You will be asked to share scholarly and industry related sources that will help to inform your project. The goal is to add variety, interest, and credibility to your final project. When searching for sources keep this in mind. Locate and share at least 15 scholarly and industry-related sources that will help to inform your project. Each source should include a synopsis of the source and how it will inform the final project.

Below is my current progress on the paper. My topic is How to manage a public relations scandal.

The project you chose and why you chose it.

The topic that I chose was How to manage a public relations scandal. I selected this topic as it stood out to me. I believe that the assignment is meant to help me relate my work to my real life. Even though I hope never to have to deal with this particular issue, I want to be prepared if the need arises.

Crisis control public relations amid a crisis can make or ruin your business. Whether you realize it or not, your company is susceptible to a wide range of unforeseen risks, any one of which has the ability to seriously harm your reputation and have a negative impact on revenue, client acquisition, loyalty, and other crucial business outcomes. The planning necessary to successfully navigate a crisis is where crisis management public relations come into play. You can greatly enhance your ability to reduce the effect of unfavorable press on your company by engaging with an experienced PR firm before an event takes place.

Challenges you anticipate you might encounter while solving the issues.

There are many difficulties you could face when handling a public relations scandal. These difficulties can differ based on the particulars and seriousness of the scandal, but the following are some typical ones and solutions:

1.

Reputation Damage:

The scandal may have already caused significant damage to the organization's reputation. Rebuilding trust and credibility with stakeholders can be a daunting task. Reputation recovery is a long-term process that extends beyond the immediate aftermath of a scandal. According to (Nastasi, 2018, Para 4), When it comes to addressing a damaged brand reputation, it can be especially tricky for brands when it comes to issues of safety. In situations where a PR crisis involves fatalities or injuries, the brand must be particularly cautious about the way it handles public communications following the incident.

2.

Negative Press: The scandal is likely to attract media attention, which can perpetuate negative perceptions and make the situation worse. For tiny businesses looking to generate attention, the adage "negative press is good press" may hold true, but established brands never want their reputations to be damaged by controversy.

3.

Social Media Concerns: Social media platforms amplify public opinion, and negative sentiment can spread rapidly. If your response is not immediate and strong, social media can spread and exacerbate the issue (Caramela, 2023, Para 11).

4.

Legal and Regulatory Issues: Depending on the scandal's specifics, there can be repercussions in terms of law and regulation. Companies must deal with unexpected and potentially unstable events that frequently take place in front of the public in an environment that is becoming more global, regulated, and litigious. The problems that organizations encounter during major, frequently public crises frequently need for not just legal expertise but also communications expertise.

5.

Poor Morale and Internal Challenges: Scandals can have a significant impact on employee morale and trust within the organization. Employees are the lifeblood of the organization, if they are in despair or disconnected from the organization, a ripple effect will be felt. While going through the crisis not having the support of your employees will cause them to be less productive. They may be scared or angry at what is taking place and lashing out at the company publicly or subliminally, is a major concern.

6.

Stakeholder Management: Relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including consumers, investors, partners, and the community, can be strained by scandals. Stakeholders have something at risk, and therefore something to gain or lose as a result of your organizations activity. By using their influence, stakeholders hold the key to the environment in which your organization operates and therefore its subsequent financial and operating performance (Harrison, 2023, Para 1).

The strategies you will employ to overcome these potential barriers.

Successfully managing a public relations scandal requires a combination of transparency, accountability, strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and long-term reputation management. By addressing these challenges head-on and implementing effective strategies, you can navigate through the crisis and emerge stronger as an organization. Below are some strategies to consider to overcome:

1.

Reputation Damage: Transparency, responsibility, and constant communication can help you get past this. Admit any errors, accept responsibility, and show a dedication to make things right. Put procedures in place to stop such problems from happening again. Create a proactive reputation management plan that aims to reestablish credibility and trust over time. This can entail constant communication, involvement in the community, CSR activities, and persistent adherence to ethical standards.

2.

Negative Press: Create a thorough media strategy to control the story. Be proactive in supplying the media with pertinent, factual information while avoiding rumors or false information. Use your connections with the media to share inspiring tales and highlight the organization's efforts to make things right.

3.

Social Media Concerns: Maintain a tight eye on social media platforms to quickly spot and respond to any issues or criticisms. Respond with professionalism, empathy, and openness to demonstrate that you are paying attention and acting. Think about collaborating with brand ambassadors or influencers who can promote uplifting messages and combat unfavorable attitudes.

4.

Legal and Regulatory Issues: Engage legal assistance to comprehend the possible hazards and guarantee adherence to relevant laws and regulations. Communicate your commitment to working with authorities and taking the necessary steps to make things right and cooperate completely with any investigations or inquiries.

5.

Poor Morale and Internal Challenges: Keep lines of communication open with employees, listen to their worries, and reassure them about the actions being taken to resolve the problem. Transparently express the organization's dedication to its moral principles. Provide staff with training and resources to assist them deal with the situation and promote the company well.

6.

Stakeholder Management: Create a thorough approach for engaging stakeholders that involves regular communication and shows sincere efforts to address their issues. Address messages to particular stakeholders specifically and stress the steps being done to avert similar problems in the future. To reestablish confidence and show your dedication to the interests of the stakeholders, ask for their opinions and suggestions.

The path to a resolution is not always the same. Each public relations crisis has its own specific challenges and fallout. As this process unfolds, my goal will be to chart common issues that can be actionable, while also providing a more direct approach to specific problems my career field may experience. Many companies have and will face bad PR at some point, but the way they respond will define how they recover in their market.

7

References:

Caramela, S. (2023, February 21).

PR Crisis? 6 Steps to Help Navigate the Storm

. Business News

Daily. https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8935-recover-from-pr-crisis.html

Harrison, K. (2023, January 13).

Plan stakeholder communication for crises

. Cutting Edge PR.

https://cuttingedgepr.com/articles/plan-stakeholder-communication-for-crises/

Nastasi, B. N. (2018, July 12). How To Use PR To Repair Your Brands Reputation Following A

Crisis.

Forbes

.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2018/07/12/how-to-use-pr-to-repair-

your-brands-reputation-following-a-crisis/?sh=290b3992adf7