Kudos to Nike for removing Joe Paterno’s name from the child-care center named after him in Beaverton, Oregon. Sherwin-Williams and Cars.com dropped their sponsorship of Penn State many months ago – and many more will rightfully follow.

The crisis PR situation which Penn State faces is about as bad as it gets – According to a report by a private security firm, Penn State University leaders knowingly covered up the crimes and disgusting deeds of former football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, the child molester.  Administrators, including Joe Paterno were complicit in the silence.

The report says that the powers that be at Penn State did what they did “to avoid the consequences of bad publicity.” Allow kids to be molested and avoid media? Penn State’s values can’t be any clearer than that.

Penn State needs to remove the Joe Paterno statue immediately and send the message that they won’t honor people who are aware of child molesters and do nothing about it – regardless of what they do in sports.  They should also suspend the football program for a few years – focus on other matters instead of sports.  There’s plenty of education needed at this supposed “school of higher learning.”

Penn State has to begin to show that values and decency are more important than protecting football – How many kids were molested in part because Paterno and others did not act upon their knowledge? One wonders how many will be comfortable having their children attend and be educated at an institution where university presidents, “hero” coaches, and students not only accept, but celebrate those who witness – and do nothing – about disgusting, illegal behavior.

Will alumni start to move Penn State to the bottom of their resumes?

There’s not much that can be said about – or at – Penn State.  It’s time for actions, as clearly the leadership of Penn State took none while Sandusky was very active.

The fate of Penn State is in their hands.

Ronn Torossian is CEO of 5WPR which works extensively as a crisis PR agency.

 

Read more from Ronn Torossian:

Ronn Torossian on Facebook
Ronn Torossian on Medium
Ronn Torossian on LinkedIn
5WPR, Public Relations Insights & PR Firm
Ronn Torossian on Business Insider

SHARE
Previous articlePart 2 of 2 – Walmart Public Relations
Next articleCrisis PR & Batman & Publicity As The Greatest Moral Factor In Life
Ronn Torossian is the Founder & Chairman of 5W Public Relations, one of the largest independently owned PR firms in the United States. Since founding 5WPR in 2003, he has led the company's growth and vision, with the agency earning accolades including being named a Top 50 Global PR Agency by PRovoke Media, a top three NYC PR agency by O'Dwyers, one of Inc. Magazine's Best Workplaces and being awarded multiple American Business Awards, including a Stevie Award for PR Agency of the Year. With over 25 years of experience crafting and executing powerful narratives, Torossian is one of America's most prolific and well-respected public relations executives. Throughout his career he has advised leading and high-growth businesses, organizations, leaders and boards across corporate, technology and consumer industries. Torossian is known as one of the country's foremost experts on crisis communications. He has lectured on crisis PR at Harvard Business School, appears regularly in the media and has authored two editions of his book, "For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations," which is an industry best-seller. Torossian's strategic, resourceful approach has been recognized with numerous awards including being named the Stevie American Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year, the American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year, twice over, an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist, a Top Crisis Communications Professional by Business Insider, Metropolitan Magazine's Most Influential New Yorker, and a recipient of Crain's New York Most Notable in Marketing & PR. Outside of 5W, Torossian serves as a business advisor to and investor in multiple early stage businesses across the media, B2B and B2C landscape. Torossian is the proud father of two daughters. He is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member of multiple not for profit organizations.