EKA partner Eric Rose is quoted in a summarization story of the Johnny Depp / Amber Heard defamation lawsuit:

Eric Rose, a crisis management and communications expert in Los Angeles, called the trial a “classic murder-suicide.”

“From a reputation management perspective, there can be no winners,” he said. “They’ve bloodied each other up. It becomes more difficult now for studios to hire either actor because you’re potentially alienating a large segment of your audience who may not like the fact that you have retained either Johnny or Amber for a specific project because feelings are so strong now.”

Article.

EKA partner Eric Rose commented on the public relations strategy being used by Jussie Smollett in the wake of his surprise release from jail:

Under the conditions of the sentence imposed by Cook County Judge James Linn, Smollett must now serve the 30-month probation, though he may leave the state and travel without restrictions. That means he could travel to places like Los Angeles and New York to try to resurrect his career.

But that will be difficult to do, publicists say, and the latest developments may not have done him any favors.

“I think he’s actually doing more harm than good” by fighting the conviction and sentence, said publicist Eric Rose. People can be very forgiving of celebrities who admit wrongdoing and apologize, he said, but instead Smollett is keeping his name and face in the headlines, reminding people of the circumstances of his conviction.

“That’s what we call ‘death by 1,000 cuts,’” Rose said. “From a reputation perspective, that is horrible.”

Article.

EKA partner Eric Rose provided analysis to this TheHill.com piece focused on the future of CNN in the post-Zucker era:

Some observers say WarnerMedia’s decision to push Zucker out could be part of a larger effort to rebrand the company as less tolerant of transgressions and improper behavior, even for high-profile figures, ahead of its impending merger with media conglomerate Discovery.

“The new owner John Malone has signaled a new hardened news focus, so removing Zucker makes the makeover that was planned for CNN easier with him out of the mix,” said Eric Rose, a crisis communications expert based in Los Angeles. “There might be internal strife at CNN and it might be a pivotal moment … but at the same time they’re signaling their new way of doing business.”

Article.

EKA partner Eric Rose was quoted in a recent LA Times article on an incident at SoFi Stadium during the Rams-49ers NFC Championship playoff game:

Eric Rose, a public relations executive and well-known crisis manager in Southern California, said he was giving the Rams and stadium officials the “benefit of the doubt” because they may not have had all the facts, but “what they do going forward is going to decide their reputation in the community.”

So far, the response has not been robust.

In a statement provided to The Times, SoFi Stadium officials said they were “aware and saddened by the incident.”

“Our thoughts are with Mr. Luna’s friends and family during this difficult time. We are working with law enforcement officials in their investigation,” stadium representatives said.

Article.

EKA partner Eric Rose was quoted in a recent article about Chris Cuomo:

“It’s extremely ironic that a professional like Chris Cuomo who has covered a number of crises and was attempting to help his brother with a crisis, has in fact created a crisis for his network,” said Eric Rose, a crisis communications expert based in Los Angeles. “No matter what they [CNN] do, they’re going to upset a number of people. The fact that he misled CNN, that the evidence is now before them, requires them to take swift and immediate action. If for nothing else, so that the story can fade away and they can be moving on with their news operations.”

Article.

Los Angeles, October 1, 2021 — EKA is excited to announce that Kellie Hawkins has become an equity partner in the firm and will run the Health, Social Services and Education practice.

Before joining EKA, Kellie held leadership roles in both the public and nonprofit sectors. These various experiences have shaped her into a thoughtful and trusted strategic partner for clients. Her background includes serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Health Foundation, managing the health and human services practice for an executive recruitment firm- The Hawkins Company, advising senior administration officials on national health IT investments and budget priorities during the Obama presidency and leading a Los Angeles city department under former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

“We are delighted to have Kellie become a Partner with the firm. She has shown herself to be an exceptional advocate for clients and an asset to our firm since she joined EKA in 2017,” said Matt Knabe, Managing Partner at EKA. “Her knowledge, relationships, and good political instincts make her a natural choice to lead EKA’s Health, Social Services and Education practices. She is respected throughout Southern California by her clients and elected officials alike. Kellie brings solid judgment, issue expertise, and a strategic mindset to any situation.”

In addition to her professional career, Kellie is civically engaged and serves on the boards of Coro Southern California and Climate Resolve. Kellie has a degree from Howard University and received her master’s degree in public health from the University of Southern California. She was an American Marshall Memorial Fellow in 2013 and a graduate of CORO’s Health Leadership Program.