Head to Head: Should comms bosses take the fall after a crisis?
In this series, Mumbrella invites senior PR professionals to share their opposing views on the industry’s biggest issues and talking points. This week, Issues Outcomes’ Tony Jaques and Mahlab’s Lily Carlyon go head to head on whether comms bosses should take the fall after a crisis.
Two weeks ago, Rio Tinto announced it would be parting ways with its group executive of corporate relations, Simone Niven, as well as its CEO Jean-Sebastien Jacques and chief executive of iron ore Chris Salisbury, as a result of the Juukan Gorge destruction in May.
Responsibility for the destruction of heritage site fell partially within the communities function of the corporate relations business arm, and with Niven at the top, blame was quickly directed her way. Many questioned her lack of experience with Indigenous relations. The Board Review of Cultural Heritage Management stripped her of the community function, but as shareholders called for accountability Niven was cut from the business.
But should she have taken the fall? In what crises can we hold comms bosses responsible?
Should comms bosses take the fall after a crisis?
Lily Carlyon, head of communications, PR and social at Mahlab, argues ‘No’:
