Corporate reputations may be hard won, but in this age of social media they're also fragile, demanding better protection than ever. With brand vandals using the Internet to launch vendettas and force an unprecedented level of engagement from organisations, a new approach is required to tackle this latest threat. Welcome to the future of modern brand communication.

Praise for the first edition: "The authors are two experienced journalists turned PR practitioners who have worked on reputation management with major organisations such as IBM and Tesco and they have interesting observations to make about the challenges facing traditional media from the rapid growth of digital. There is good analysis of the different models newspapers are using to adapt to the digital age. Earl and Waddington then look at how companies manage their reputations in the digital age. Organisations are still typically broadcasting their content to their audience rather than engaging. Shifting from traditional forms of corporate communication to social forms of communication requires a change in style and tempo of language, they say." The Irish Times In a world where brands are competing in an engagement battle for friends and followers, there is a threat that could undermine well-earned and trusted relationships. Brand Vandals, from co-authors Steve Earl and Stephen Waddington, takes a look at the factors that could disrupt real-time marketing and provides advice to marketers to protect their relationships with their friends, followers and customers. -- Alan VanderMolen Vice Chairman, DJE Holdings President and CEO, Global Practices Edelman The world is increasingly activist and atomised. Trust is both complex and fragile. Brands are at risk like never before. There is a Tahrir Square moment waiting to happen for a business or a brand. Brand Vandals grapples with these new truths and tries to make sense of it all... suggesting what might in fact be done. -- Robert Phillips Head of Chambers, Jericho Chambers and Honorary Visiting Professor of Public Relations, Faculty of Management, Cass Business School Hard-talking, streetwise advice from two players who are in the thick of the action every day. Packed with anecdote, insight and analysis, Brand Vandals puts steel into the spine of the communications team. Challenging and inspiring - if you liked Brand Anarchy, you'll love Brand Vandals. Today's communicators need to understand the art of communications and the science of delivery. Punchy, forceful and effective, Brand Vandals is required reading. -- Philip Young co-author of Online Public Relations and Project Leader, NEMO: New Media, Modern Democracy, Lund University Campus Helsingborg, Sweden "Books about marketing and public relations tend to fall into two camps: those that are navel-gazing and worthy, and those written from the front line that offer pragmatic upbeat advice. Brand Vandals definitely falls into the latter camp. If you have any interest whatsoever in brand reputation, and the vandals who threaten it, beg, borrow or steal this book. It should be your public relations bible." -- Francis Ingham Director General, PRCA and Executive Director, ICCO A great follow up to Brand Anarchy this book should be required reading for every executive in business today. Myriad social platforms and channels allow brand vandals to potentially destroy a company and personal reputation overnight, deserved or not. Brands and businesses should realise they have to engage with their customers and not just continue to blithely broadcast to them. The authors clearly illustrate what can happen if you don't, with key case studies outlining strategies to help manage and contain the inevitable in the hyper-connected, always-on world we all now live and work. -- Andrew W. Ellis Founder, Like Minds An uncontrolled Internet firestorm can destroy a brand's reputation in days. This book will give communications teams a fascinating insight in how online attacks - warranted or unfounded - can best be managed. -- Jonathan Prynn Consumer Business Editor, The Evening Standard There was a time, relatively recently, when marketers assumed that the brand was defined by all the things they said about their company, its products and services. Today, the brand is defined by all the things other people say, in conversations online and off. Brand Vandals seeks to demystify this intimidating new environment and to examine the opportunities for brands that are prepared to embrace transparency, authenticity and genuine dialogue with their consumers." -- Editor, The Holmes Report Paul Holmes This book pulls no punches. Brand vandalism is here to stay. Packed with great examples, the authors discuss the importance of effective engagement and the challenge of earning trust, belief and advocacy. A must read for all who value reputation. -- Grayling CEO UK & Ireland and Chairman PRCA Alison Clarke With their follow up to Brand Anarchy, Stephen Waddington and Steve Earl once again provide sound advice in Brand Vandals about what can happen to your brand, due to social media and exactly what do to. This sort of advice would normally cost thousands, and they have also included multiple real-world examples of brand vandals at work. If you work in marketing, public relations or as an executive, this book is required reading. -- Andrew Grill CEO, Kred and leading social business blogger

Steve Earl (@mynameisearl) is Managing Director, Europe at Zeno Group. Stephen Waddington (@wadds) is European Digital and Social Media Director for Ketchum.