Crisis Communications Legend Lawrence Foster Dead at 88

You may not know the name or the face but you definitely know the story about the infamous Tylenol crisis of the late 1980s.

In short, seven people died as a result of cyanide-laced Tylenol pills, including a 12-year-old girl. Mass hysteria ensued and the parent company of Tylenol was practically rescued by one man — Lawrence Foster, corporate vice president of public relations for Johnson & Johnson (J&J).

He died last night at the age of 88, according to a release sent to Mediabistro and PRNewser.

A Penn State alumnus, Foster’s rapid and concise response to the national tragedy has served as a case study for Crisis Communications 101 since 1986, and will be into perpetuity.

Although

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