Crisis Communication Management: Applying Theory To Real Cases Link

When seven people died after ingesting cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules, Johnson & Johnson had zero responsibility—it was a victim crisis (product tampering). However, SCCT warns that victim crises can still escalate if mishandled.

An explosion on BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig killed 11 workers and spilled 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. BP was clearly responsible (preventable crisis). When seven people died after ingesting cyanide-laced Tylenol

For today’s crisis communicator: A press release won’t save you. But a consistent, responsible, and stakeholder-focused strategy—rooted in proven frameworks—just might. This piece was written as an educational synthesis for crisis communication practitioners and students. All case facts are drawn from public records and scholarly analysis. When seven people died after ingesting cyanide-laced Tylenol