negative publicity

USAGE SUMMARY

"negative publicity" is correct in written English and can be used in any context where you want to refer to publicity that is bad or potentially damaging in some way.
For example: "The company was unprepared for the negative publicity they received after the lawsuit was filed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's just negative publicity.

The New Yorker

It's really negative publicity".

The Guardian

Young denied being affected by negative publicity.

The Guardian - Sport

Facebook has also received some negative publicity.

The New Yorker

Not surprisingly, sponsors have been aghast at the negative publicity.

The Guardian - Sport

The company is fighting back against the negative publicity.

The Guardian

One reason is that subpoenaing journalists attracts negative publicity.

The New Yorker

It is that negative publicity that has killed us.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They're afraid of all the negative publicity," he said.

The New York Times

The union was clearly smarting from the negative publicity.

The New York Times

This candour is usually rewarded with more negative publicity.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a company's challenges, use "negative publicity" to accurately describe the adverse media attention and its potential impact on stakeholders.

Common error

Instead of simply stating a situation is "bad", specify that it is causing "negative publicity" to highlight how it's impacting public perception and reputation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negative publicity" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "negative" serves as an adjective modifying the noun "publicity". It describes a specific type of publicity that is undesirable or harmful, as seen in many examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "negative publicity" is a commonly used term to describe unfavorable public attention that can harm an individual's or organization's reputation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts. The analysis reveals that its primary function is to identify and describe situations with adverse public perception. Predominantly found in News & Media, but also significant in Science and Formal & Business contexts, it indicates the phrase's broad relevance. Managing "negative publicity" effectively requires strategic communication and proactive measures to mitigate its impact, such as addressing concerns directly and taking responsibility for mistakes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad press

Focuses specifically on unfavorable media coverage.

unfavorable press

Similar to "bad press" but slightly more formal.

adverse publicity

Uses a more formal adjective to describe the publicity.

damaging publicity

Highlights the potential harm caused by the publicity.

scandalous attention

Emphasizes the scandalous nature of the attention received.

public backlash

Indicates a negative reaction from the public.

PR disaster

Specifically refers to a public relations failure.

reputational damage

Focuses on the harm to one's reputation.

unflattering spotlight

Metaphorically describes the negative attention.

public condemnation

Highlights the public disapproval and censure.

FAQs

How does "negative publicity" affect a company's reputation?

"Negative publicity" can erode public trust, decrease sales, and damage a company's overall image. Effective crisis management and proactive communication are crucial to mitigating its impact.

What are some strategies for managing "negative publicity"?

Strategies include addressing concerns directly, taking responsibility for mistakes, improving transparency, and engaging in positive public relations efforts. Sometimes, a "public apology" is the first step towards damage control.

What's the difference between "negative publicity" and "constructive criticism"?

"Negative publicity" is generally unfavorable and widespread public attention, often stemming from scandals or controversies. "Constructive criticism", on the other hand, offers specific feedback for improvement, typically in a more private or controlled setting.

In what context is "negative publicity" considered beneficial?

While generally harmful, "negative publicity" can sometimes raise awareness of an issue or organization, even if the initial attention is unfavorable. Some argue that "any publicity is good publicity".