Crises Harold Nicoll Managed at Dow
A prominent crisis that Harold Nicoll was involved in managing at Dow Chemical was the
breast implant controversy. As a member of the issues management team, his role focused on community and public relations aspects of this highly scrutinized situation.
Overview of the breast implant controversy
- The crisis centered on allegations that silicone breast implants caused various autoimmune diseases and other health problems in women.
- While Dow Chemical was a parent company of Dow Corning (the primary manufacturer of the implants), Dow Chemical’s specific involvement came under litigation and scrutiny.
- The controversy led to thousands of lawsuits and immense public pressure, ultimately resulting in Dow Corning filing for bankruptcy in 1995.
Nicoll’s role in the crisis response
Nicoll worked to shape public perception and communicate the company’s position, especially in Houston, where part of the legal proceedings were based. His efforts included:
- Managing media inquiries related to the implants.
- Being part of the Houston-based team focused on legal defense and public messaging.
- Working to manage public perception during a highly sensitive and scrutinized time for the corporation.
The objective of Nicoll’s team was to navigate the complex legal and public relations landscape. They worked to prevent Dow Chemical from incurring major financial damage from the litigation by focusing on the company’s stance and the scientific evidence available at the time. Nicoll’s work on this team, which eventually met its objective of “staying out of court” with a major judgment against the parent company, highlights his role in crisis communications and issues management.