Duncan Koerber

Crisis in a Tweet explores the alarming reality that a single social media post can unleash severe consequences for individuals and organizations alike. Unlike traditional emergencies caused by natural disasters or product failures, social media upheaval originates in the digital realm but leads to real world consequences – job losses, reputational harm, and public shame – disproportionate to the original act. This book provides a comprehensive analysis of how social media platforms serve not just as communication tools but as environments for the emergence of crises. Drawing on case studies from platforms like X, Facebook, and YouTube, this book outlines a fundamental shift in media ecology, where everyday digital interactions become amplified into firestorms. It investigates key drivers of this trend, including the democratization of crisis creation, the amplified effects of online mobs, and the rise of partisan communities weaponizing outrage. From the unearthing of old posts to viral hashtag movements fueling global reputational attacks, this book explains how digital crises differ from traditional ones and why society assigns them outsized significance. Rather than advocating for more regulation and prevention, Crisis in a Tweet calls for a cultural shift in how we perceive and respond to online controversies.

Crisis in a Tweet explores the alarming reality that a single social media post can unleash severe consequences for individuals and organizations alike. Unlike traditional emergencies caused by natural disasters or product failures, social media upheaval originates in the digital realm but leads to real world consequences – job losses, reputational harm, and public shame – disproportionate to the original act. This book provides a comprehensive analysis of how social media platforms serve not just as communication tools but as environments for the emergence of crises. Drawing on case studies from platforms like X, Facebook, and YouTube, this book outlines a fundamental shift in media ecology, where everyday digital interactions become amplified into firestorms. It investigates key drivers of this trend, including the democratization of crisis creation, the amplified effects of online mobs, and the rise of partisan communities weaponizing outrage. From the unearthing of old posts to viral hashtag movements fueling global reputational attacks, this book explains how digital crises differ from traditional ones and why society assigns them outsized significance. Rather than advocating for more regulation and prevention, Crisis in a Tweet calls for a cultural shift in how we perceive and respond to online controversies.

Private companies that respond poorly to a crisis may go bankrupt, wiping out investments and jobs. Charities that respond poorly to a crisis may lose donations, ending support for the most vulnerable. Professional athletes, religious leaders, CEOs, and politicians who respond poorly to a crisis may lose their long-standing careers and the respect of their colleagues, supporters, fans, and customers. This book offers both theory and practical help for organizations and professionals to deal effectively with crises. Crisis communication lessons have typically been the purview of public relations professionals. However, since the 1990s there has been a growing body of scholarly research on the topic. Crisis Communication in Canada offers a unique scholarly and professional contribution, synthesizing recent research and providing a context for practical advice. Written in clear and concise style, directed at beginners but rooted in research, this book will offer instructors and students a unique resource for the study and practice of crisis communication.

Private companies that respond poorly to a crisis may go bankrupt, wiping out investments and jobs. Charities that respond poorly to a crisis may lose donations, ending support for the most vulnerable. Professional athletes, religious leaders, CEOs, and politicians who respond poorly to a crisis may lose their long-standing careers and the respect of their colleagues, supporters, fans, and customers. This book offers both theory and practical help for organizations and professionals to deal effectively with crises. Crisis communication lessons have typically been the purview of public relations professionals. However, since the 1990s there has been a growing body of scholarly research on the topic. Crisis Communication in Canada offers a unique scholarly and professional contribution, synthesizing recent research and providing a context for practical advice. Written in clear and concise style, directed at beginners but rooted in research, this book will offer instructors and students a unique resource for the study and practice of crisis communication.

Clear, Precise, Direct provides a concise set of strategies to help students improve their writing skills at the sentence level with a focus on application and revision. Students will learn the key principles of clear, effective writing and practice applying them to their own work through a series of lessons, exercises, and peer writing samples.