Thought leadership, media coverage and practical lessons from more than twenty years of measuring and building reputations.
July 2, 2026
This year marks two significant milestones in my professional journey: Reputation Matters turns 21, while Re.Bag.Re.Use celebrates its fifth anniversary.
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May 13, 2026
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming part of everyday business communication, but are we relying on it too heavily? This thought leadership article explores five dead giveaways that AI may have done the writing for you, and how over-reliance on AI could impact your reputation.
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February 26, 2026
In a business environment where sustainability is often framed in environmental or financial terms, the sustainability of trust receives far less attention. Yet for any organisation seeking long-term credibility, trust remains one of its most valuable and most fragile assets.
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January 8, 2026
Whistleblowing plays a vital role in protecting organisations and strengthening accountability. However, a growing trend of misuse is emerging, where whistleblowing channels are used to pursue personal grievances rather than report genuine wrongdoing. This shift creates significant and often lasting reputation risk, even when allegations are later proven false.
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September 15, 2025
When was the last time you gave your database a thorough clean? Outdated contacts can hinder your progress, erode trust, and jeopardise your reputation. Here’s how to fix it.
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July 22, 2025
The Coldplay concert may have dazzled fans, but the real headline came from the audience. One of the core truths about reputation management: a leader cannot separate personal choices from professional consequences. You are your values, on and off the stage.
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June 17, 2025
Ethics and innovation are not just buzzwords. They are reshaping the public relations landscape across Africa. Last week, at the African Public Relations Association (APRA) conference in Mombasa, the latest findings from a continent-wide ethics and PR landscape study were unveiled. The research, conducted by Reputation Matters in collaboration with APRA and the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), offers timely insights into how values and digital transformation are influencing the future of PR on the continent.
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May 14, 2025
Crisis Comms 101: Don’t Just Run to the Lawyers
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May 14, 2025
South Africa: The Friendliest Country in the World? A Reputation Worth Embracing South Africa has been crowned the friendliest country in the world in a recent global study by international money transfer service Remitly. Now isn’t that some incredibly positive news that we can all do with! While this news has been met with both celebration and scepticism, it raises a powerful question: What does this kind of international recognition mean for South Africa’s reputation?
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January 24, 2025
Your insights matter: Ethics and PR Landscape in Africa Survey 2025. Plesae complete this year's survey.
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January 15, 2025
Reputation Matters. A well-defined and articulated set of values is the cornerstone of your business. Values drive behaviour, shape your brand, and ultimately determine your reputation.
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June 12, 2024
Earlier this month, Reputation Matters presented the annual APRA / PRCA Ethics and Public Relations (PR) landscape in Africa survey results at APRA’s conference in Côte d’Ivoire. Here is an opinion piece that I have penned down, including insights from Arik Karani, newly elected President of APRA, and Dustin Chick, chair of the PRCA Africa’s Ethics and Practices Network.
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February 14, 2024
The African Public Relations Association (APRA) and The Public Relations Communications Association (PRCA) are calling on all Public Relations (PR) and communication professionals to share their opinions on the ethics and PR landscape across the African continent. We at Reputation Matters, are absolutely thrilled to be managing the survey on behalf of APRA and the PRCA again this year. The study will explore an array of pivotal subjects, encompassing business ethics, perceptions of PR, integration of artificial intelligence (AI), the paradigm of remote working, and the challenges poised to shape the industry's trajectory in the future. Please will you share your perceptions of the ethics and PR landscape in your specific country. Here’s the link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EthicsandPRinAfrica2024 forward the survey to your contacts in the industry. It would really help to get as many insights from as wide an audience across Africa as possible. Many thanks!
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October 5, 2023
There is a tremendous amount of information and opinions available on reputation management. It can all get rather overwhelming. Here are four tips to help you to start building your reputation.
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September 27, 2023
The most impactful legal expert at a large or publicly traded firm is referred to as the chief legal officer, or CLO. He or she acts at all times with a view to minimising legal risk within their organisation, by keeping its board of directors and other senior executives fully versed on any pressing legal and/or regulatory issues.
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August 18, 2023
Artificial Intelligence is not going to go away. How do you navigate through it and manage your reputation? Listen to Benito Vergotine and Regine le Roux's chat on the subject.
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August 15, 2023
In today's competitive business landscape, a company's reputation can make or break its success. A strong brand reputation is a powerful asset that not only influences customers' perceptions but also impacts a company's bottom line. In this article, we explore the relationship between brand and reputation, the link between brand reputation and business success, and how reputation affects a company.
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August 1, 2023
Dealing with your database: The Key to building strong relationships. I chatted to Clarence Ford on CapeTalk earlier in July. Listen to the conversation here:
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August 1, 2023
Adhering to ethical standards remains essential for the best practices in public relations and communication. All members of APRA and PRCA are required to follow the APRA Code of Conduct and PRCA Professional Charter and Codes of Conduct, respectively, and are accountable for doing so.
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August 1, 2023
Bizcommunity asked me to share my thoughts on last week's African Public Relations Association (APRA) Conference that took place in Lusaka, Zambia. Here's an excerpt linking the theme of the conference, Creative Africa, Exploring the PR potential of Africa as an emerging economic & reputation powerhouse to reputation management:
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August 1, 2023
Reputation management is all about building and fostering relationships. When it comes to growing your business and reputation, one of the easiest things to do is to build closer relationships with your key stakeholders. However, all too often, organisations find themselves tripped up by a poorly managed database.
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August 1, 2023
Artificial Intelligence (AI), what a complex and often controversial topic! I must confess, I've always been cautious about embracing new trends and technologies. Whenever I heard the words AI or ChatGPT, I tended to shy away. In my mind, I have convinced myself that it was a distant problem that might eventually fade away. I believed it wasn't relevant to me. But boy, was I wrong. Very wrong. AI is not going away, and it will undoubtedly have a profound impact on businesses, business owners, employees, and reputations.
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February 7, 2023
The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) Africa has launched its second annual study, in partnership with the African Public Relations Association (APRA), examining the state of PR and communications practice and ethics in Africa. The flagship study, conducted by Reputation Matters, will gather demographic data on the industry and investigate issues including ethics, perceptions of PR in business, talent, remote working, and the challenges facing the industry’s future.
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May 3, 2022
Looking forward and proud to be presenting 'If you treasure it, you will measure it'; the importance, and how to manage your reputation at the SAPICS 44th Annual Conference. 12 to 15 June 2022, Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town
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March 30, 2022
How ethical are you? How ethical is the company that you work for? How ethical is your country? What is ethics and how does it impact your reputation?
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February 1, 2022
The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) Africa has launched its inaugural study examining the state of the PR and communications industry in Africa. The flagship study, conducted by Reputation Matters, will gather demographic data on the industry and investigate issues including perceptions of PR in business, ethics, talent, and the pandemic’s impact.
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May 6, 2021
Chris Bischoff, reputation manager at Reputation Matters, has taken the opportunity to look at the basic lessons that he has learned from rock climbing since he started this new hobby eight months ago.
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March 23, 2021
The word “collaboration” has been used almost as much as your favourite pair of tracksuit pants that saw you through the lockdown. The right collaborations, like your trusty track pants, can give you that warm and fuzzy feeling and be quite comforting to know that someone is supporting you and is interested in your business endeavours.
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October 20, 2020
Recently I was called to help a company with some damage control as a result of negative online reviews they received. During the initial call, I did say that online reviews are generally a symptom of a larger issue. We may be able to help with the immediate containment of the situation, but, this would just be like putting a plaster over an unknown wound; we would need to dig a bit deeper and treat the root cause to avoid similar future situations.
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July 20, 2020
Can you fluently describe what your business’ unique selling proposition (USP) is? What makes you stand out from your competitors? If you say it’s the quality of your service or product, or your quick turnaround time, isn’t that exactly what they are also saying?
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April 17, 2020
As more countries around the world are shifting toward a circular economy, the business community is also expected to work within the ecological boundaries. This tied with consumer demand for sustainable products and services, makes sustainability a top priority. Businesses that ignore this environmental responsibility will get called out, having a detrimental impact on their reputation.
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April 7, 2020
Reputation Matters have launched a free ebook outlining 40 tips and tricks to manage your reputation and communication during the lockdown. Their specialist team have compiled this practical guide based on their extensive knowledge and experience that they have gained over the last 15 years.
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April 1, 2020
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we all know how important it is to get your information and updates from credible sources.
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March 26, 2020
For the first time since the digital age, the entire world is faced with same health pandemic crisis and the same threats and fears. It’s a crisis of such magnitude that no textbook could ever have fully prepared any of us for it.
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March 25, 2020
For businesses to remain functional to some degree, it is crucial to optimise the virtual office space. There have been many negative connotations to the Millennial generation, but for once, we can learn something from their communication style and preferences.
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March 19, 2020
Many new developments nowadays require an environmental impact assessment (EIA), with public participation being a vital component. Reputation Matters has launched a public participation service to support environmental practitioners and developers with the public participation process.
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March 12, 2020
Looking after your health and becoming fit, is very closely linked to looking after your reputation. You need good health to get you through life, and you need a good reputation to support you through your company’s journey. Regine le Roux, founder and managing director of Reputation Matters shares four lessons for building your reputation that can be learnt from physical fitness.
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March 2, 2020
In light of World Wildlife Day, taking place on Tuesday, 03 March 2020, Chris Bischoff, reputation manager and sustainability specialist at Reputation Matters, shares some important considerations of sustainable economic development to protect biodiversity and the ecological network.
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February 25, 2020
The new decade is in full swing for most people. Many companies already have their communication strategies in place and are implementing them, while others are wrapping up their annual initiatives and preparing for the new financial year. Do you have a communication strategy?
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February 14, 2020
As many scramble to arrange a gift or romantic evening for their partners this Friday, 14 February, Reputation Matters takes a more proactive approach to love. Chris Bischoff, reputation manager at Reputation Matters covers three ways to proactively love and take care of your reputation.
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January 28, 2019
The average corporate reputation score of last year’s reputation research studies conducted by Reputation Matters, a proudly African reputation research company, was 78.4%, a 2.2% decline from 2017 (80.6%).
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December 13, 2018
Managing your personal reputation this time of year is twofold. 2018 may have been your year of achieving your big ambitious goals, targets or a hard-earned promotion. Don’t throw this away with a lapse in behaviour over the holiday season. Beginning the new year with a healthy reputation could be your competitive advantage in the office.
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November 21, 2018
Moboom Ltd, owner of the global business directory Hotfrog, is pleased to announce the appointment of Reputation Matters to operate the Hotfrog platform in South Africa under license.
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October 25, 2018
Employees play an important role in building the reputation of any organisation. Their sentiment towards the company is what they will be communicating to their nearest and dearest. This is important to consider as friends and family will have a perception of the company which is based on what employees say, rather than what a fancy advertising campaign might say. Reputation Matters, a proudly African research company specialising in reputation research, has developed its Organisational Climate Survey (OCS) research model to assess what exactly contributes to employee morale, productivity, employee motivation and behaviour, and job satisfaction. These are all crucial elements when it comes to an organisation’s reputation. By looking after your employees, you are looking after your reputation.
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October 8, 2018
“Everything you want is because you think you will feel happier if you had it. So why don’t you go straight to feeling happy by just laughing more because laughter instantly makes you happy.” ~ Bronwyn Kilroe
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July 16, 2018
Research has proven that incentives increase survey responses. However, enticing a person to complete a survey with an incentive means you can be sure to get different answers. Whether you choose to incentivise your survey or not, data quality needs to be at the centre of this decision.
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May 16, 2018
In a space that is technical, complicated and sometimes full of 'hot air', how do you communicate clearly, truthfully and engagingly about topics such as carbon neutrality, waste management and corporate social responsibility?
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March 8, 2018
As the listeriosis outbreak hit front pages with 180 fatalities* and news spread of contaminated food being pulled from supermarket shelves, communications specialists have been keeping a close watch over how Tiger brands handles the crisis. Regine le Roux, MD of Reputation Matters, takes a closer look at crisis management and how it differs from reputation management.
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February 2, 2018
Corporate South Africa has over the past year learned many lessons in reputation management and the real value of stakeholder relationships.
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December 12, 2017
Even though Christo Wiese has taken the helm as the interim CEO and is trying to stabilise the ship through the storm, Steinhoff faces the threat of becoming the biggest bankruptcy in South African corporate history (Business Times, 10 December 2017).
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October 30, 2017
Many organisations are daunted by the idea of exposing themselves to reputation research that will give them the cold hard facts. Little do they realise that by validating their ‘gut’ feeling with numbers helps them to put SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely) action plans in place to ultimately have a stronger, solid and more balanced reputation.
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