Abstract

This case study focuses on effective marketing communication activities in a post-crisis period. The phenomenon underpinning the investigation is image repair theory which provides effective communication strategies to overcome these events. The case in point was the emission scandal faced by Volkswagen (VW) in 2015. By implementing a qualitative approach to data collection and analysis, the results showed some correlations between effective public relation activities and the company’s share price. Nevertheless, sales figures showed a negative attribute due to the unstable position of the company in the post scandal period. Results also showed a positive pattern when VW responded to the emission scandal in the early days, providing some strategies to stakeholders such as, mortification, reducing offensiveness and corrective action. However, it can be said that this study is an initial step which provides some indications for future research concerning the effective implementation of marketing communication in a post-scandal period.

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