Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 191 Document Number: D02935
Notes:
International Public Relations Association. 3 pages., Case study involving an award-winning campaign for crisis management by a Hungarian food firm. 3 pages.
18 pages, via online journal article, Blue Bell Creameries faced an unprecedented situation when it pulled all of its products during a Listeria outbreak in 2015. Despite a very public crisis that resulted in three deaths, Blue Bell survived the disaster and maintained a large and loyal customer base. A content analysis of the Blue Bell Ice Cream Facebook page was conducted to evaluate Blue Bell’s public communications, and its followers’ public reactions to the Facebook communication during the crisis. Results indicated that Blue Bell primarily posted messages that included recall and restocking information, thankfulness to stakeholders, and details about improvements to food safety during the crisis. These messages created a sense of transparency, which can increase customers’ trust and brand loyalty. Their consumers largely responded with comments containing overwhelming loyalty themes as well as questions and messages of thanks. Recommendations for agri-food companies include operating transparently before, during, and after a crisis. Organizations should follow Blue Bell’s example and avoid publishing messages that include attacks, denial, scapegoating, or excuses during a crisis.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C29840
Notes:
Pages 15-27 in Adam Lindgreen, Martin K. Hingley and Joelle Vanhamme (eds.), The crisis of food brands: sustaining safe, innovative and competitive food supply. Gower Publishing Limited, Surrey, England. 352 pages.
Wigley, Shelley (author) and Pfau, Michael (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
2010
Published:
USA: Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, UK.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C36169
Notes:
Pages 568-590 in W. Timothy Coombs and Sherry J. Halladay (eds.), The handbook of crisis communication. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, U.K. 737 pages., Research study based on a pet food company that had suffered a real-life crisis in 2006 - a recall due to dog food contaminated with afllatoxin, a fungus that may occur in corn. Researchers assessed the effects of three pre-crisis public information strategies.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 160 Document Number: C26129
Notes:
Presented at the International Association for Mass Communication Research, American University in Cairo, Egypt, July 23-29, 2006. 25 pages., Findings from a survey among small farmers, wage labourers, fishermen, large farmers, scientists and NGO personnel.
