The old adage that "perception is reality" is particularly true in online reputation management.  Practitioners know that what's said online, true or not, frequently influences the public's perception of their client.

Online defamation via Twitter, also known as Twibel, usually involves statements made by individuals, not organizations.  Moreover, the statements made, like any statements made on social media, are quickly replaced with more content.  This makes for an interesting debate about what the real reputational damage is for a plaintiff and how much a human defendant, as opposed to a corporate defendant, can pay in a defamation suit. Read more. 

"BIRC can help professionals understand how and why people think and behave the way they do in this ever-changing business environment," said Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., President and CEO of IPR. The BIRC currently has three preliminary studies and four blogs about the initial research in the field of behavioral communications. Read more. 

While public relations and marketing executives aspire to have a seat among the C-Suite, most senior executives think this is tunnel vision, according to a new study by Marlene Neill, Ph.D., Baylor University. Corporate communicators do not need to be in the executive suite to have power and influence during strategic discussions.

When a corporation is going through a crisis, a merger, an employee wellness issue or new business partnership, the C-suite will first turn to communications professionals for advice. However, communication managers must make an effort to build internal relationships so that the C-suite will continue to respect their expertise. Read more.