Tieja MacLaughlin

03/30/2026

01/20/2026

In this exclusive CanadianSME Small Business Magazine interview, Tieja MacLaughlin, Founder of TIEJA Inc. Communications, shares how a no‑nonsense, real‑world approach to crisis PR helps clients navigate social media fallout, legal issues, and intense public scrutiny without resorting to “cover‑ups” or quick fixes.

Drawing on her media background, lived experience, and work with individuals, executives, and brands facing high‑stakes reputational threats, she explains why modern damage control is really about emotional regulation, truthful storytelling, and proactive digital reputation building—so people can move from chaos and shame to clarity, accountability, and long‑term trust.

https://canadiansme.ca/navigating-online-crisis-with-tieja-maclaughlin

01/12/2026

What’s the first step to take when you’re in a crisis?

One of the most common questions I get asked.

And the answer isn’t what you’d think.

Some common crisis scenarios I see:

👉 A negative social media post is going viral.
👉 An executive is facing a lawsuit or investigation.
👉 A workplace accident leads to illness or death.
👉 A natural disaster disrupts business operations.
👉 A company’s data has been breached.

You know you have to do something, say something, but where do you start?

✅ Step 1: Diagnose your 3F response

Let’s break it down…

When we’re in crisis, our body naturally responds to the perceived threat.

Our reactions are instinctive, and based on generations of evolutionary biology that’s been hard-wired into our DNA and fine-tuned to protect us from predators.

Our bodies respond to these modern-day scenarios with the same intensity they once did when our ancestors were being chased by sabre-toothed tigers.

💥 The response triggers a spike of cortisol (the stress hormone), and we are faced with three options: Fight, Flight, or Freeze. This is known as the 3F response.

The first step of crisis management is understanding your emotions, and understanding which response you’re having.

This is critical to ensure you’re making strategic decisions from a sound place and with a balanced emotional perspective.

If you have a Fight response, we likely need to tone down the aggression and not let anger cloud your judgment.

If you have a Flight response, we need to come to terms with the fact that running from problems only amplifies them.

If you have a Freeze response, we need to quickly put together a game plan that allows you to move forward purposefully.

Crisis managers are incredibly valuable for this reason (among others) - we can assess your stress response, help to regulate your emotions, and recalibrate to a place where the best business decisions can be made.

The idea isn’t to get rid of the cortisol (which we have no control over), it’s to manage and redirect it towards a productive response.

So the next time you find yourself in crisis, start by diagnosing your 3F response.

12/19/2025

Meta smart glasses are marketed as stylish eyewear, but under the surface they’re one of the most dangerous surveillance devices in public today.

The truth about meta’s ray-ban smart glasses | Are you already being recorded without knowing?If you’ve been to a gym, salon, bar, therapy office, or even a ...

12/10/2025

Should People Still Trust the Media in 2025?

Watch all of the day’s interviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN09HiJl-9wVJ2hDvfQd3JAJd7kG8aGfT Audiences are changing the way they watch and lis...

12/07/2025

PR predictions for 2026. The theme? Trust. Muck Rack

Muck Rack checked in with 10 PR professionals to hear their predictions for the public relations industry as we head into 2026.

12/05/2025

Where yesteryear would see celebrities falling over themselves to win the Virtue Signal of the Year award, now the de facto sentiment toward tone policing is apathy.

Click to read: https://bit.ly/4piumx5

12/04/2025

One of the most heartfelt reviews I've ever received. 🫶

11/28/2025

Weighing in on politics, social movements, or wars is risky business for celebs.

Should they, or shouldn't they? What's at stake?

This week I joined host Jeyan Jeganathan and culture critic Amil Niazi on TVO's The Rundown to discuss.

From my perspective as a strategist:

👉 Celebrities are masters of their craft and, more often than not, should stay in their lane - with one notable exception.

👉 Conducting a risk assessment is a must before entering the conversation.

👉 Online shaming doesn't work - trust me, that celebrity isn't going to read your comment and suddenly change their worldview.

📺 WATCH: https://youtu.be/j5feoxmIbxc?si=3OEcA1hXzO5KxXt9

Produced by Carla Lucchetta.

11/17/2025

I always promote a proactive approach to reputation management.

Most people come to me after there’s a problem, which means we’re already starting behind the eight ball.

If you change your mindset to think about reputation proactively, you can establish safeguards to mitigate risk and be prepared for when something - inevitably - goes wrong.

Unfortunately, people are quick to judge - whether a mistake has been made, there is perceived wrongdoing, or someone simply holds an unpopular opinion.

Public shaming has become an all too common response, which only perpetuates harm - because while shame may be effective in the short term, it doesn’t lead to lasting change.

This is where restorative justice comes in.

I learned about the principles of restorative justice through Peacebuilders Canada, a non-profit that supports rehabilitation for youth in the justice system.

The principles of restorative justice are rooted in Indigenous culture, and centre on accountability and community reintegration.

Incorporating a restorative justice approach into my work has allowed me to build stronger connections with my clients, encourage them to see new perspectives, and allow them to move forward with their lives productively.

💡 Leading With Empathy: A New Era of Crisis Management - my latest feature in She & Success Business Magazine.

🔗: https://sheandsuccess.ca/leading-with-empathy-a-new-era-of-crisis-management/

11/10/2025

A most excellent in-depth exploration of Rage Farms. These coordinated bot accounts target brands and individuals, causing very real financial consequences via stock market manipulation, reputation damage, and ruined careers.

👉 Who is behind Rage Farms? Some common groups include state-backed actors, ideologues, commercial adversaries, and criminal networks.

👉 What can you do to protect yourself and your business? The best defense against manufactured rage is trust - prepare and be proactive.

https://businessesgrow.com/2025/10/29/rage-farms

Coordinated, anonymous attacks can come for any company or individual these days. What is behind the Rage Farms that attacked Cracker Barrel and other brands? Who is doing it, and why? rage farms

09/25/2025

Arc'teryx has issued an apology after a controversial firework stunt in the Himalayas. The stunt has been labelled a "PR disaster" and an act of "greenwashing".

https://www.instagram.com/p/DO1_HvED5-6/?hl=en