Industry Sounds Off on Mayor Adams Scandal Offering Critical Lessons in Crisis Management — CommPRO
As the scandal surrounding New York City Mayor Eric Adams continues to unfold, critical questions arise about crisis management in the public eye. CommPRO reached out to communications industry experts for insights on how Mayor Adams can best navigate this high-profile situation. What key lessons can he and his team learn from past crises? And what role should transparency, accountability, and messaging play in restoring trust with the public?
The responses were very clear from all. Mayor Adams should stay visible, communicating regularly about the city’s issues while carefully addressing the charges against him. Juda S. Engelmayer, President and CEO of HeraldPR, emphasized that “he can and should be out in public often and communicating about issues dealing with the City and everyday life for New Yorkers. Shutting down will not work.” Engelmayer suggested a delicate balancing act between addressing the charges while maintaining a political message: “He must continue driving home that this is political prosecution designed to shut him down and install an Uber-progressive Jumaane Williams.”
Humility and discretion are crucial, with a remorseful approach helping to prevent making the situation even worse. Peter Shankman, CEO of Source of Sources, outlined key lessons from the scandal, emphasizing, “If you’re gonna normalize stealing and breaking the law, expect to get caught. When you get caught, be contrite. If you’re not, you’ll have everyone on both sides of the aisle calling for your resignation.” Shankman advised against drawing unnecessary attention, particularly when indulging in questionable social behaviors.
Crisis management requires foresight, and attacking the legal system only complicates efforts to rebuild trust. Erin Powers, founder of Powers MediaWorks, underscored the need for prevention and foresight. “The important lesson organizational leaders can learn is the importance of prevention and risk management. Someone needs to be asking: ‘What risks do we face and how will we respond?’”
Balancing legal defense with public communication is challenging, particularly when trying to preserve political capital, and being combative could backfire. Powers criticized Adams’ strategy of attacking the legal system, suggesting that it complicates his efforts to restore public trust. “Once immersed in a crisis, a leader’s attempt to defend the indefensible generally only compounds the problems.”
Ray Hennessey, CEO of Vocatus, highlighted the difficulty of reconciling legal and communication strategies. “You have defense attorneys who want the focus on simply winning the case…[but] political consultants who want to keep the polls up.” He pointed out that Adams’ approach mirrors Donald Trump’s, attempting to leverage legal challenges into political capital, though this tactic may backfire due to party affiliations.
A more empathetic, cooperative tone would go a long way in mitigating the damage and restoring public confidence Joanna Brody, CEO of Brody Public Relations, observes that “Adams instead positions himself as a victim… A simple ‘I am fully cooperating with the investigation’ would go a long way toward mitigating some of the reputational damage already done.”
Finally, Toni Harrison, President and CEO of Etched Communication, stressed the importance of swift acknowledgment in crisis management, warning that delays can fuel speculation. “Taking ownership early, even if not all facts are available, shows a willingness to engage with the public.” She advised Mayor Adams’ team to issue a clear, concise statement and maintain consistent messaging across all platforms to prevent misinformation.
In summary, experts suggest that Mayor Adams should prioritize transparency, avoid defensiveness, and balance his legal and public messaging. These are essential to navigating public opinion and restoring trust in the wake of the scandal.