We’re living in an era of public outrage. Political polarization, social media, and economic uncertainty all contribute to it. Couple this with a loss of trust in societal institutions, and is it any wonder people are feeling unheard, unseen, angry, and insular? The Edelman Trust Barometer noted this as one of the most significant findings in their 2026 report.

As a result, people are lashing out at their neighbors, employers, political representatives, and businesses. How are communicators supposed to handle public outrage?

The days of pulling the crisis communications plan off the shelf and opening it to Page 1 are obsolete. Before you react, research. Where’s the outrage coming from? An increasing amount is coming from bots manipulated by bad actors. Do you really need to react to an algorithm the same way you would a human?

Handling outrage is inherently risky, but it’s also an opportunity. An opportunity to build trust. On July 9, Professors Gregg Feistman and Dr. Heather LaMarre will discuss how to differentiate between real and manufactured outrage, the differences between consumer outrage, audience outrage and stakeholder outrage. They’ll also present a proprietary model, The SMART Framework™, a strategic management tool to help decide whether or not to respond in order to build public trust.

Watch the promo video

About Gregg Feistman

Gregg Feistman, M.A. has 40+ years’ business experience, counseling executive management in all aspects of communications and is an author, speaker and Professor of Practice for Public Relations in the Klein College of Media and Communications at Temple University. Building on his professional industry experience, he has been teaching a variety of undergraduate courses. He is the co-author of Raising Social Capital: Corporate Advocacy and Impact in a Time of Social Change and has been widely quoted in consumer, business and PR trade media. He is also a contributing columnist to PR News and Strategic Magazine in Ireland.

About Heather L. LaMarre, PhD

Dr. Heather LaMarre is an internationally renowned, research-backed public voice on social capital, public affairs, and the forces reshaping how organizations, governments, and leaders maintain trust, authenticity, and reputational legitimacy in today’s environment. 

Drawing on 25+ peer-reviewed publications, a Fulbright Specialist designation, and speaking experience spanning the United Nations and IMF/World Bank side meetings to international women's leadership forums, she brings rigorous research and data-informed solutions to address the most pressing and urgent matters senior leaders face in leadership, politics, and communication.

Dr. LaMarre is a tenured professor at Temple University,  co-author of award winning book Raising Social Capital, and the co-creator of the Communications Corner™ Substack for leaders who want to make a difference.

By Mia Linder – Ann Wiley, owner of Wylie Communications, loves to read. “I think if I could have found a job where they just let me read, I probably would have done that,” she says.

But the closest thing to reading? Writing.

Wylie was captivated by English literature during undergraduate studies at Kansas State University. She enhanced her skills by obtaining a graduate degree in journalism from the University of Kansas.

By Kaylee Holland - Growing up in a small rural farming town about an hour and a half from Philadelphia, I had little exposure to professional communications organizations beyond what I learned in the classroom. So, when I received an email from my professor announcing an internship opportunity with IABC Philadelphia, I was unsure what the organization was or what it could offer me. I had never heard of IABC before, and I questioned how it would be relevant to my future career. However, after spending just a few minutes researching IABC and its mission, I quickly realized how valuable this opportunity could be—especially as a young, aspiring communicator preparing to enter the professional world.

An interview by Kaylee Holland -

Q: What drew you to storytelling as the core of your work?
Rob Biesenbach explains that storytelling has always been embedded in his career as a communications and public relations professional. However, his passion intensified in the early 2000s when he began taking improv and sketch comedy classes at Second City. “That just was so mind-expanding and enriching,” he says. “It really deepened my understanding of storytelling and my passion for it.” Through that experience, Biesenbach realized that storytelling principles drawn from performance could be applied to help people communicate more effectively in professional settings.

By Kaylee Holland: After a few uncertain years in the job market, 2026 is shaping up to be a promising year for communications professionals—and Brooke Kruger couldn’t be more excited about it. As the founder of KC Partners, a firm specializing exclusively in communications recruiting, Kruger has had a front-row seat to the ebbs and flows of hiring across agencies, corporations, startups, and venture capital firms for nearly two decades.

by Kaylee Holland - Most organizations see innovation as complex, time-consuming, and reserved for a select few. But according to innovation strategist and author Carla Johnson, that belief is exactly what’s holding companies back.

By Kaylee Holland - The Philadelphia Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators is proud to announce the appointment of Rashi Iyer as its new chapter president starting January 1, 2026.

by Katrina Hook - As Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at Radian, Rashi Iyer leads a wide-ranging portfolio that includes corporate and business PR, executive communications, crisis communications, philanthropy, and more. Her work not only shapes Radian’s narrative but also strengthens the company’s connections with stakeholders at every level.

By Kaylee Holland - The ability to negotiate, persuade, and influence others is essential for success in business communications. Understanding the psychology behind these abilities can set you apart from your peers by applying the tactics and seeing improvements in reaching your professional goals.

by Katrina Hook - The power of AI is infiltrating nearly every element of daily life. What does this mean for the communications industry?

Matt Russell, Principal Business Analyst at Mayo Clinic, advocates for riding the generative AI wave.  “Generative AI tools can help you work smarter, not harder, and if used correctly, can help you do your best possible work,” he says.