Crisis Communications
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” – Warren Buffett
We have been practicing public relations long enough to know that crises happen. How they are handled can be the difference between earning the public’s trust, or having a going-out-of-business sale. A crisis communications plan prepares you for those inevitable events, both large and small, that can damage an organization’s hard earned reputation. So, how does a company manage a crisis the right way? Be prepared before a crisis happens. That is the essence of crisis PR management, and that’s what Pushkin PR helps our clients do.
We help Denver organizations prepare for potential challenges by anticipating possible scenarios and developing tailored responses for each. Our approach includes defining clear roles and responsibilities for every team member and identifying a primary spokesperson to represent the organization. At the heart of our strategy is creating a centralized command center, ensuring accurate information is managed effectively and communicated promptly. Whether through websites, social media platforms, or live media briefings, we ensure your message reaches the right audience at the right time.
Crisis PR Management: Crafting the right Message
In any crisis communications plan, the message is critical. Crises can unfold rapidly, making it essential to have prepared messaging that addresses the situation head-on and mitigates potential fallout. At Pushkin PR, we use a proven messaging formula to help clients communicate with empathy and clarity during challenging times, ensuring the public gains a balanced perspective.
Crisis PR Management Message Development
- Anticipate Expectations: What would a reasonable person expect a responsible organization to do?
- Prioritize Clarity: What are the three most important things you want people to know?
- Create Memorability: What is the one sound bite you’d like people to remember?
- Identify Stakeholders: Who are the most important stakeholders you need to communicate with?
- Prepare for Challenges: What is the one question we hope we don’t get asked?
Crisis PR MANAGEMENT Media Training
We equip clients with the skills to navigate interviews during a crisis, ensuring they present themselves as confident, compassionate, and knowledgeable. Rather than passively responding, they learn to steer the conversation in a way that highlights their organization’s strengths. A crisis can serve as an opportunity to showcase your organization’s resilience and integrity, and effective crisis communications prepare you to handle the situation in the best possible way, positioning you to come out stronger.
Our half-day or full-day media training sessions cover interview techniques, message development, and practical guidelines. We conduct mock interviews, which are recorded for review, so clients can experience a real interview setting and gain valuable insights. While controlling every aspect of a story is impossible, media training increases your chances of guiding the conversation and delivering favorable outcomes.
Crisis PR MANAGEMENT Online Monitoring
A crucial aspect of any reputation management strategy—particularly in times of crisis—is staying attuned to online conversations. What begins as a minor complaint can quickly escalate, potentially harming an organization's reputation. We monitor social media platforms, blogs, and forums for negative commentary and track the sentiment of key conversations. Identifying key industry influencers, we help clients understand which relationships to cultivate and provide strategic guidance on when and how to respond.
Case Studies
We feel like our work speaks for itself, so we are happy to share some of it with you.