Toyota has found itself in quite a PR crisis lately due to their massive recalls, but also due to their slow-to-respond CEO, Akio Toyoda, who only made a public appearance this past Friday after Toyota's consumer confidence and stock continued to plummet. This is most likely at the urging of Japan's government, as the brand is so closely aligned with Japan's identity as a leader and super power. But with a recall that is so far reaching into more than 60 countries, why would Toyoda wait so long to re-assure its consumers, retailers and shareholders that the automaker has the situation under control and re-assert that quality and consumer safety are its top priority? More importantly, how can Toyota recover from such highly publicized criticism and uncertainty over the safety of their vehicles?
]]> First and foremost, with a recall of this magnitude and recent reports of faulty brakes in the Prius, Akio Toyoda should've been visibly present from the beginning. I would strongly advise Toyoda to not pass the buck onto his Vice President or any other mouthpiece. Toyota consumers, their employees and shareholders need to feel that the situation is under control and is quickly being rectified. The only way to re-instill this confidence is via Toyoda himself. He needs to be present at all future press conferences, the one quoted in all press releases and available for comment to the press.Toyota executives need to be seen at their manufacturing plants and showrooms. There is no question that issuing statements from behind a desk at Toyota City alone will have little impact. The world wants to see Toyota execs are involved in the process and care about what is going on in their facilities.
Only hold sales and discounts on other Toyota models once the crisis is over. I recall seeing a tweet last week from a current Toyota consumer receiving a notice about a sale at their local Toyota retailer. When consumer confidence is already at a low point, a sale gives off an impression of desperation to move other models. Once the recall issue has been resolved and Toyota can give 100% certainty that their cars are safe, launch a PR campaign to draw the consumer back into the showrooms.
Now some may disagree with me on my next point, but I would suggest one aspect of this PR strategy to be done via social media with the mom blogosphere driving that campaign. Now why would I suggest moms? Because a mother would never in her right mind put her children in a vehicle that they do not consider safe. As a mother myself, I am more likely to trust another parent's viewpoint than I would a generic ad campaign. If you are a parent, do you agree? Again, only if Toyota can guarantee that the vehicles recalled are now 100% safe would I recommend this.
I think Toyota can recover from this crisis, but they certainly need better guidance then they have been given thus far to do so. What are your thoughts?
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The one that started it all is becoming as monotonous as their wrinkle-free faces. The Real Housewives of Orange County is in the midst of its fifth season on Bravo and the antics continue with each passing episode. A new blonde beauty is in the mix with the addition of Alexis Bellino entering the show. There’s the usual drama between the housewives, along with the forced luncheons, dinners and slumber parties. 
The fashion industry has never seemed so cutthroat before Bravo’s latest reality show, “Kell On Earth.” Premiering tonight, the series follows Kelly Cutrone, head of the fashion PR firm People’s Revolution. 
In the last week GlaxoSmithKline has had a PR crisis on their hands as the story broke that counterfeit alli, the over the counter weight loss drug, was being sold on eBay. While many times counterfeit anything is made to be similar to the real thing, there is one major difference with the counterfeit diet pill: it contains sibutramine. Sibutramine is something that is typically the ingredient in Dr. prescribed weight loss medications, therefore it can be dangerous to the health of those who unknowingly take it. 
ruffles. Their beaded and sequined dresses will ensure the spotlight is securely on you once you make an entrance. My favorite is the gold sequin shift dress with the dusty rose charmeuse trim and rhinestone detail at the hem.
When gearing up to enter the, to some - namely me, unchartered territory of exercise, it’s useful to have a list of do’s and don’ts on hand. Far from being a checklist of gym (park and sidewalk…) etiquette, I stumbled across an article that claimed to ‘bust’ fitness myths. A starting point. Or, the starting block if you will. 
Starting January 28th, the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond, which is a rare deep blue diamond weighing in at 31.06 carats, will go on display at the National Museum of Natural History. The rare gem is said to be from the same famous mine in India that the Hope Diamond was harvested from.