September 13, 2023

5 Tips on How to Handle Negative Publicity

Brian Balbirnie • September 13, 2023
5 Tips on How to Handle Negative Publicity

5 Tips on How to Handle Negative Publicity

Nobody wants to receive negative publicity for their company. It's not ideal, but you need to prepare for the situation if it should occur.
An effective way to handle negative publicity I s to issue a statement with a press release.
Your press release is a powerful piece of content. It will help you clearly and effectively express your position on the situation.
If your company gets bad publicity, use press releases to talk to your customers and the media. It's an effective way to protect your brand.
When drafting this type of press release, consider these five tips.
5 Tips on How to Handle Negative Publicity   Don’t play the quiet game There’s a time and place for the quiet game. Like when your kid asks for a snack at least 100 times in a row.
But, when it comes to negative publicity, silence will only attract more negativity.
If your brand receives negative attention, you should be prepared to answer the public's questions. You can do this by issuing a fact-based press release.
Get the story straight Before sending a press release, slow down, collect all the facts, and play the devil’s advocate to identify any weaknesses in your response.
This will help you rise above the problem, see the big picture clearly, and craft your response accordingly.
Don’t point fingers Taking accountability for negative publicity is difficult but necessary. Though you'll want nothing more than to crawl in a hole and come out Scot free, that's not how it works.
When you address the problem, never point fingers. It’ll only make your brand look worse.
Take responsibility for the position your brand played in the problem and again, address the situation with facts.
Taking responsibility instead of blaming others will improve your credibility and minimize harm to your reputation.
Stay focused Own the problem instead of diverting the public’s attention with another topic.
If you veer off topic, it’ll make it seem like your brand’s avoiding the issue, covering something up, or simply not taking any accountability for the problem.
Address the issue and stick to the facts when addressing the public.
Move Forward In a way, negative publicity is like a roadblock. It gives you a chance to readjust your strategy and look ahead to the future.
When faced with bad press, lean on these tips and then share your vision with your audience.
Including your thoughts on the future and how your brand will grow from this situation layers positivity and authenticity into your response.
Share the steps your brand will take to prevent it from happening again in your press release.
Yes, words matter, and press release distribution amplifies your response to your target audience and the media. But always follow those words with actions that align with your intentions.
Do you need help with your press release distribution?
Check out our  press release services  and explore our free  press release template  to get started.The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Camera on tripod filming a business meeting around a table.
By Jennifer Hammers January 6, 2026
When most people think about influencer marketing they imagine a consumer driven brand. Business to consumer makes sense for instagram because it generally isn’t a business platform,
A man is holding a virtual brain in front of a laptop computer.
By Jennifer Hammers September 10, 2025
Explore the risks of using open AI in news distribution and investor relations. Learn how ACCESS Newswire prioritizes data security while enhancing customer experience with safe AI tools.
A group of business people are shaking hands in front of a window.
By Jennifer Hammers July 21, 2025
Discover how strategic public relations drives trust and credibility with investors, media, and consumers. Learn how to align your PR with growth.
A group of people are applauding a woman in front of a computer screen.
By Jennifer Hammers May 16, 2025
In public relations, knowing how to craft a strong media pitch is one of the most important skills for generating coverage. Unlike a press release, which broadly shares information, a story pitch is a personalized, strategic communication that intrigues journalists and compels them to learn more. Whether you're pitching the media for a product launch, a major announcement, or an expert interview, mastering the elements of an effective media pitch can significantly boost your PR results.
A group of people are sitting around a table with a laptop.
By Jennifer Hammers May 5, 2025
Learn how to manage crisis communications in a digital world. Discover step-by-step strategies, real brand examples, and how ACCESS Newswire can help you respond with confidence.
A computer monitor with a website on it is sitting on a desk next to a mouse.
By Jennifer Hammers April 25, 2025
Looking for the best press release services in 2025? Compare the top 10 platforms for reach, SEO, and media pickup—plus see why ACCESS Newswire ranks #1.
A woman is sitting at a table using a laptop computer.
By Jennifer Hammers April 17, 2025
Discover the most impactful sites for press release visibility in 2025—from Yahoo! Finance to Google News—and learn how ACCESS Newswire helps your news reach millions
A man and a woman are sitting at a table looking at a laptop.
By Jennifer Hammers April 2, 2025
Discover the must-have features of an effective investor relations website and what to expect from a top IR site provider. From real-time financial reporting to mobile design, security, SEO, and global accessibility—learn how the right provider can enhance transparency, investor confidence, and brand reputation.
A woman is sitting on a bench while a man takes a picture of her.
By Jennifer Hammers March 25, 2025
Avoid the most common press release template mistakes that can hinder your PR efforts. Learn how to craft clear, engaging, and newsworthy releases by improving your headlines, messaging, multimedia use, and SEO. Elevate your PR game with expert tips and a free downloadable template from ACCESS Newswire.
A group of people are sitting around a table looking at newspapers.
By Jennifer Hammers March 18, 2025
Discover the importance of media releases in PR and how they bridge traditional and digital media. Learn how press releases, news releases, and media releases can enhance brand visibility, engage stakeholders, and drive media coverage. Read more on best practices, strategic distribution, and crafting effective media releases at ACCESS Newswire.
Show More

Search:

Camera on tripod filming a business meeting around a table.
By Jennifer Hammers January 6, 2026
When most people think about influencer marketing they imagine a consumer driven brand. Business to consumer makes sense for instagram because it generally isn’t a business platform,
A man is holding a virtual brain in front of a laptop computer.
By Jennifer Hammers September 10, 2025
Explore the risks of using open AI in news distribution and investor relations. Learn how ACCESS Newswire prioritizes data security while enhancing customer experience with safe AI tools.
A group of business people are shaking hands in front of a window.
By Jennifer Hammers July 21, 2025
Discover how strategic public relations drives trust and credibility with investors, media, and consumers. Learn how to align your PR with growth.
A group of people are applauding a woman in front of a computer screen.
By Jennifer Hammers May 16, 2025
In public relations, knowing how to craft a strong media pitch is one of the most important skills for generating coverage. Unlike a press release, which broadly shares information, a story pitch is a personalized, strategic communication that intrigues journalists and compels them to learn more. Whether you're pitching the media for a product launch, a major announcement, or an expert interview, mastering the elements of an effective media pitch can significantly boost your PR results.
A group of people are sitting around a table with a laptop.
By Jennifer Hammers May 5, 2025
Learn how to manage crisis communications in a digital world. Discover step-by-step strategies, real brand examples, and how ACCESS Newswire can help you respond with confidence.
A computer monitor with a website on it is sitting on a desk next to a mouse.
By Jennifer Hammers April 25, 2025
Looking for the best press release services in 2025? Compare the top 10 platforms for reach, SEO, and media pickup—plus see why ACCESS Newswire ranks #1.
Show More