Hearts & Minds

Two companies face cyber-attacks: one mishandles communication and suffers lasting reputational damage, while the other’s honest, human response earns praise. The lesson: swift, transparent crisis communication is essential—be prepared with a solid comms plan before disaster strikes.

Sir Richard Branson, known for his outspoken style, has criticized Donald Trump's trade and foreign policies, warning they harm global stability and lack broad American support. There may be those, on seeing Branson, who want to have a go. In which case, they should think very carefully. 

World leaders responded to Pope Francis’s death with a blend of reverence and political nuance. Across the spectrum, tributes reflected both admiration for Francis’s tireless commitment to social justice and the subtle diplomatic language that often reveals as much about the leaders themselves as about the pope they mourned. 

In a crisis, don’t deny the facts, don’t say “no comment,” and don’t drown the issue in excuses or distractions. Instead, keep your message short, sincere, and focused: acknowledge the disappointment and commit to improvement—anything more just dilutes your credibility.

This week’s news that OpenAI ‘is building a social network’ will no doubt excite many. But brands and businesses should tread carefully - consumers are wary of AI and take a negative stance when they spot it. 

As UK consumers lean towards buying British due to tariff concerns, companies face a choice to either embrace local pride or risk international trade? Will brands fly the flag to capitalize on the patriotic mood, or fly under the radar to maintain their global presence amidst rising protectionism?

Britain tries to tread carefully on China, but mixed messages prevail

“Too early to say” is all one can say amid tariff turbulence

Committed to inclusivity… excluding the US

Golf and the Godfather – how trump is framing the latest tariff twist

The shareholder letters that are a message to the world

How to deal with Trump, courtesy of AI and the man himself