You know things are bad when a chief communications officer longs for a ‘normal’ crisis. That’s the case for City of Toronto’s CCO Brad Ross as he works to communicate vital messages during coronavirus. At least crises during pre-COVID-19 had a timeline, Ross writes. “Give us a fighting chance. COVID-19 is otherworldly,” Ross laments.
Crisis Management
How PR Can Break Through COVID-19 News Fatigue
April 2nd, 2020 by Mark RenfreeAs news fatigue sets in, communicators are left with an uphill battle. The situation changes daily, with deaths and infections ever-increasing and new policies and information about how individuals can stay safe being updated constantly. People still need information, the challenge for PR is to make sure they get it.
Four Ways Communicators Can Add Value During Coronavirus
March 31st, 2020 by Michael MunzYou’ve created your coronavirus messaging plan and advised executives to communicate authentically, transparently and from the heart. Your job is far from over, though. Perhaps the most important thing a communicator can do at this time is to be available and make plans for the day when the coronavirus ebbs.
5 Tips for Communications Leaders During the Pandemic
March 27th, 2020 by Valerie ChristophersonThe pandemic has thrown many of us into a frenzy. Now is the time for PR leaders to proceed with calm and rely on principles and tactics that have served you well throughout the years. Moving forward, creativity, transparency and management skills will be in demand.
Tips for Communicating Layoffs During The Pandemic
March 27th, 2020 by Erika BradburyWith economic activity drastically reduced, businesses are laying off, furloughing or cutting salaries of workers. We’ve assembled a collection of tips and tactics to help communicate these actions during this especially difficult and uncertain time.
WEBINAR RECAP: COVID-19 Beginning to Reshape PR and Communications
March 26th, 2020 by Erika BradburyIn just days, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to shifts in the way communications is practiced across all industries and sectors, including not just traditional brand messaging, but how employers are disbursing important information to staff and governments to constituencies. Senior comms professionals gathered virtually on March 25 to discuss PR in these unprecedented times during a PRNEWS webinar, Communicating about COVID-19 — Navigating a New and Uncertain Crisis.
RESOURCES: Coronavirus Communications
March 25th, 2020 by PRNEWSResources PRNEWS put together a list of resources for easy access, along with links to all of our COVID-19 coverage. Helpful Links AP Style Guide for Coronavirus LinkedIn Group: Communicating about Coronavirus The Page Info… Continued
Rewriting the Crisis Playbook in the Era of Coronavirus Communications
March 25th, 2020 by Ted BirkhahnWhile some tenets of sound crisis communication remain, coronavirus has changed many of the best practices and benchmarks, perhaps irrevocably. Moving forward, communicators will need to consider mental health issues and be better able to identify stressors in the social conversation.
Why We Need to Communicate from the Heart Now
March 24th, 2020 by Gil BasheWe don’t emotionally trust facts; we trust people – or we don’t. As we process facts emotionally, we trust leaders who move beyond facts to speak in a voice that echoes how we feel, right now. At a time when the public is worried, communicating with the heart can help. Facts alone will not drive people to action, writes Gil Bashe, managing partner, global health, Finn Partners.
Five Tips for Notifying People of Exposure to Coronavirus
March 17th, 2020 by Janice PersonAs PR professionals face an increasing number of communications challenges amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, some communicators will encounter the daunting task of notifying customers, employees and others about the possibility that they have been exposed to the coronavirus. Here are tips to help craft that communication.