Online Public Relations Thoughts

Jeff Zucker of CNN is out after disclosing an inappropriate consensual relationship with a key lieutenant.  Zucker had previously fired anchor Chris Cuomo who was working with his brother Andrew, the former governor of New York, to combat sexual harassment allegations. Such turnabout is fair play and highlights the hypocrisy of leaders when they abuse power.  There is no communications defense for such behavior, no message to smooth it over, no bending of rules to make it right.  The correct PR move is to remove the executive and to tell the world about it, which is what CNN did.  Zucker had worked with this woman a long time and closeness had developed into a romantic relationship.  At that point, one or both should have stepped down.