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How can you ruin your reputation and tarnish your brand in a matter of days? Ask Jussie Smollett.
The actor/singer from the hit TV series Empire found himself in a world of controversy this week after his story of being attacked by two men on a Chicago street was found to be a hoax. That’s right – he made up the whole thing.
Fabricating stories, misleading your audience or customers and blatantly lying will almost assuredly destroy your image. A repair and rebuild would be a severe undertaking, and one in which a miracle is needed.
This is why it is imperative that when given the opportunity to speak publicly to always be forthright, transparent and honest.
Your business reputation could suffer a major blow if you’re not transparent in your communications when you serve the public.
When you consider the multiple platforms of media – television, radio and print – combined with the interactive brands and immediate access to the public through social media, there’s no excuse for not being transparent.
One of the first things Martin Charlton Communications tells clients, regardless of the circumstances or issues that have brought them to us, is to be transparent.
When your starting point is transparency, all other communications, public relations and storytelling will flow in an effective and meaningful way. This is especially important when you are funded with taxpayers’ dollars.
A lack of transparency will erode trust, as it does with every institution that fails to disclose matters of public interest.
In Smollett’s case, his career could be over. He will forever be known as “that guy who made up the attack”, and rightfully so. And this is all because he wasn’t honest.
Is it really worth it? It’s a lot easier to be transparent.
