Maybe biz magazine needs advice on crisis handling

Paul Detrick writes on the News Busters web site that Conde Nast Portfolio, which has a writer posting cheeky CEO Survival Guide comments on its web site, may need some crisis communications advice itself after the firing of its deputy editor.

Detrick wrote, “Written by Caroline Waxler, Conde-Nast’s Portfolio magazine has been running a regular ‘How To’ sort of article called the ‘C.E.O. Survival Guide’, which assumes from the get-go that businessmen and women will ultimately get themselves into trouble—namely criminal activity:

“‘Just as you got a better house, car, and private plane than the next guy, you’re likely to get a better jail cell too. It’s one of the perks of stealing from shareholders rather than from a 7-Eleven clerk, so make the best of it.’

“Waxler, who’s writing is consistently upbeat for the subject matter, also says that just because you are bound for prison, ‘there’s no reason to abandon your can-do attitude.’

“The author also has some tips if someone in a C.E.O.’s company is spying on the press. First the C.E.O. should apologize to the journalist involved and as Waxler’s source Jonathan Bloom says, ‘‘Do a press conference, not just a press release. Tell them, ‘I have sinned,’ à la Jimmy Swaggart.’’ Waxler does admit, ‘Journalists are pests, but you mustn’t spy on them.'”

Read more here.