Patrick Kerley
Senior Digital Strategist, Levick Strategic Communications
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As a senior staffer on the late Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens’ communications team, Patrick Kerley developed and implemented online strategies aimed at containing reputational damage and growing the senator’s support base. As an employee of Levick for the last two years, Kerley’s crisis communications work for companies such as Six Flags, Stericycle, CITGO, Ullico and Heartland Payment Systems has saved them million of dollars in reputation management. When a blogger discovered in spring 2009 the possibility of Six Flags’ filing for bankruptcy, Kerley’s digital media team at Levick assisted in formally announcing the filing and disseminating the message that the parks would stay open throughout the bankruptcy process. The team secured positive coverage and shaped coverage in the blogosphere from a critical tone to one lauding the company for its handling of the situation. As a result, the bankruptcy announcement had little impact on Six Flags’ earnings in the summer of 2009. —MT