Here is a brief slide show from Fast Company that mentions companies that went through PR scandals and survived.
The eight brands that Fast Company says are rebounding are:
McDonald’s
Exxon Mobil
Merck
Tylenol
Ford/Firestone – debatable
Wendy’s
Martha Stewart
Boeing
This list made me think of other brands that rebounded and aren’t like to rebound.
Other brands that rebounded from PR scandals
Wal-Mart – The High Cost of Low Prices movie. Click here to view the trailer
Taco Bell – E. Coli
Bill Clinton – Monica
Home Depot – Lumber suppliers
Nike – Child labor
Brands that probably won’t rebound from PR scandals
Enron – Fraud, Conspiracy
Britney Spears – Excessive Partying, Divorce, Head Shave
Lindsey Lohan – Drunken Driving, Excessive Partying
Michael Richards – Racism
If you’re interested, here is a list of companies that were involved in scandals. My apology, the list was compiled in 2002, but it does allow you to see if/how the company rebounded in the past five years.
