Making Lemonade out of Lemons: Turning Negative Attention into Positive PR

In today’s fast-paced media environment, where a week’s news cycle can feel like a month’s worth of events, negative headlines consistently draw more engagement than positive ones. Studies show that headlines with negative superlatives achieve a 61% higher click-through rate compared to those with positive superlatives. This reflects the media's inherent "negativity bias," where negative stories not only attract more attention but are also perceived as more newsworthy.

Publicly listed companies in the U.S. are no strangers to PR challenges, yet some of the most successful firms leverage these moments to their advantage. Conversely, many risk-averse companies avoid controversy at all costs, fearing investor scrutiny and resource limitations. However, failing to address negative attention head-on can lead to missed opportunities for growth, engagement, and brand resilience. With retail investors in the U.S. more informed than ever, an investor relations strategy that provides visibility to both retail and institutional shareholders is critical during times of scrutiny.

The Risks of Playing It Too Safe

Given today’s political polarization and the magnifying effect of social media, even minor missteps can trigger public backlash. Larger corporations often have the resources to manage crises, but smaller public companies may respond with silence or overly cautious statements. This hesitation can lead to prolonged reputational damage, missed engagement, and weakened investor confidence.

Negative attention, when handled correctly, presents a rare opportunity to demonstrate transparency and leadership. Unfortunately, many companies avoid proactive responses, missing the chance to reshape the narrative in their favor.

Following are some strategies to navigate negative attention:

1. Acknowledge Issues Transparently

Avoiding difficult conversations fuels speculation. Investors and customers value honesty, and addressing concerns directly prevents uncertainty from escalating.

For example, if a company faces product quality concerns, acknowledging the issue, outlining corrective actions, and reinforcing a commitment to quality can help maintain trust. Silence or vague statements often do more harm than good.

2. Take Control of the Narrative

Without a company’s voice, others will fill the gap—often negatively. Public companies should actively engage with media, investors, and customers to shape the conversation.

Consider a cybersecurity firm facing a data breach. Instead of downplaying the incident, addressing it head-on, explaining security enhancements, and showcasing proactive steps can reassure stakeholders and demonstrate accountability.

3. Engage with Stakeholders Proactively

Negative attention isn’t just a PR problem—it’s an opportunity to engage. Addressing investor concerns through earnings calls, responding to customers on social media, and thoughtfully handling criticism can turn skeptics into supporters.

For example, if an investor group criticizes a company’s sustainability practices, engaging with them, outlining sustainability goals, and making public commitments can shift perception from defensive to progressive.

4. Turn Apologies into Action

Investors and customers see through empty apologies. True crisis management requires tangible plans that lead to improvements.

Take a biotech firm facing regulatory scrutiny over clinical trial transparency. Instead of staying quiet, it could commit to clearer reporting, improve investor communications, and enhance public disclosure. This restores confidence and attracts long-term investors valuing corporate governance.

5. Leverage Negative Feedback for Innovation

Criticism often reveals areas for improvement. Companies should see it as a constructive catalyst for innovation rather than a threat.

For instance, if a software company faces backlash over a buggy product, engaging users, collecting feedback, and rolling out updates can strengthen brand loyalty and showcase responsiveness—qualities that set smaller companies apart from larger competitors.

Seizing the Opportunity in Adversity

For publicly listed companies, negative attention can feel like a major threat, but the real risk is in failing to respond effectively. By acknowledging issues, controlling the narrative, engaging stakeholders, taking meaningful action, and using feedback for innovation, companies can turn crises into strategic advantages.

Rather than fearing controversy, public companies should view negative attention as an opportunity to reinforce their brand, build investor confidence, and emerge stronger. Those who master this approach will be better positioned for long-term success in the fast-moving public markets.