by Vianka McConville
James Burke was Johnson & Johnson’s CEO from 1976 to 1989. He was the man behind the handling of the “Tylenol comeback.” The crisis management case study that stemmed from his actions during a scare of cyanide in Tylenol pills is still shared in classrooms today. It was one of the first lessons I learned in college studying PR.
Burke had a character that is highly revered around these parts. He saved the Johnson & Johnson brand by accepting total responsibility and was accountable for everything his company did. His memory will live on.
