by operationreputationmanagement
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Louis C.K. – His approach to a Reputation Nightmare

“When you have power over another person, asking them to look at your dick isn’t a question.  It’s a predicament for them.” – Louis C.K.

We have reached a point of reckoning for people in power with skeletons in their closet.  Over the past week it’s been Louis C.K.’s turn to share his open closet.  Granted, it sounds like it was a well-deserved rough week based on his own admissions.  So how did Louis C.K. respond?  He confessed.

This week, Louis C.K. released a statement of admission and apology.  You can read the statement yourself, but he doesn’t pull any punches in this mea culpa.  While only time will tell if his direct approach can someday save his career with a “second chance,” it is interesting to note Louis C.K.’s approach compared to Bill O’Reilly regarding sexual harassment allegations.

In O’Reilly’s case we’ve seen a much stronger offense.  As stated in a New York Times article in April of this year, Mr. O’Reilly hired the crisis communications expert Mark Fabiani.  Through Fabiani, Mr. O’Reilly positioned himself as the victim, as reported by the NY Times.

“Just like other prominent and controversial people,” … “I’m vulnerable to lawsuits from individuals who want me to pay them to avoid negative publicity. In my more than 20 years at Fox News Channel, no one has ever filed a complaint about me with the Human Resources Department, even on the anonymous hotline.”

“But most importantly, I’m a father who cares deeply for my children and who would do anything to avoid hurting them in any way. And so I have put to rest any controversies to spare my children.”

While Louis C.K. has been dropped by many of his media partners, O’Reilly continues on with the support of the FOX News Chanel, while his attorney, Fredric S. Newman said in a statement “We are now seriously considering legal action to defend O’Reilly’s reputation.”

Two different stories and two very different approaches.  Louis C.K. puts humbly confesses and Bill O’Reilly charges forward with a strong offense.  Time will be the judge regarding which strategy was better.