CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

An Oxford University study found that companies that react well to crises actually gain net stock value in the months following a crisis.

How come?

Simply put, the public rewards organizations that respond to crises with competence and punishes those that react with ineptitude.

So what, exactly, is a crisis? It's anything that would embarrass your organization if it landed on the front page of tomorrow's newspaper. It could be an allegation spread by an agenda-driven opponent, a damaging lawsuit, a growing political problem, or hundreds of other things.

The common link is that when the media finds out, your life will become quite unpleasant.

By preparing in advance for potential media crises, you can significantly alter the tone of the media's reporting - and see your "stock" with your stakeholders rise.

If you wait until the crisis occurs, you'll likely have fewer options. Still, don't give up. By reacting quickly and with integrity, we have helped many of our clients emerge from crises with their reputations fully intact - and in many cases, significantly improved.

Proactive Crisis Communications

According to the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), fully 67 percent of all businesses have crisis communications plans in place. Are you one of them?

And even if you do have one, is it still relevant? If your plan is more than three years old or your business or industry has changed significantly, we can perform an audit to make sure you're ready to react with precision should an unexpected crisis occur.

Each crisis communications plan is different, but most include:
• Forming a Crisis Communications Team
• Assigning Roles and Responsibilities of Each Member of the Crisis Communications Team
• Identification of Threats Workshop
• Writing a Disaster Procedures Outline
• Developing Pre-Formatted Press Releases
• Issuing Customized Media Interview Guidelines
• Conducting Media Training for Key Spokespersons
• …and more

Reactive Crisis Communications

Many of our clients are in the midst of a crisis when they contact us for the first time. They need help immediately - from professionals who can understand and react to their situations within hours.

If you find yourself in a media crisis, we can help you find your way out.

Please Contact Us for more information.