Crisis Management

Sure, there are more online tools (read: social channels) to help mitigate a crisis faster and cauterize the wound without incurring any serious damage. But what the Web giveth the Web also taketh away.

We all have them: Clients who demand the very best at any cost, with little thought to the burden they place on individuals, not to mention an agency’s collective sanity. Add in soaring expectations, tight timeframes and even tighter budgets, and you can throw any semblance of work-life balance out the window, right?

In an environment of bitter competition, overlapping priorities and increasing use of unsecured digital communications systems, the threat of information leaks is greater than ever. How can we, as communications professionals, implement safeguards to ensure our brand is protected?

Merchandise displaying the Confederate battle flag is swiftly being prohibited from sale by major retailers in what has turned into a nationwide movement sparked by the killing of nine people at a historic black church in Charleston, S.C., last week.

Brian Williams’ “apology” interview with Matt Lauer has been panned by most reviewers. If Williams’ goal was to prove that he is ready to be reinstated as the anchor on NBC Nightly News—now or in the future—he didn’t accomplish it.

It’s an occupational hazard for many companies: If the legal squad and the communications crew are unable to find a way to be responsive during a crisis, you’ll be left at the starting line while negative messaging runs free, the opportunity to protect your reputation gets lost, and your inability to respond weakens.

In a crisis situation, your physical presence can say just as much as the message you are delivering.

When an organization’s response (or lack thereof) only helps to prolong a crisis.

Every organization is vulnerable to a crisis at any time. Here are some practical steps to make sure you can navigate through the storm.

Tom Brady gets sacked by Bob Costas and are social media buttons really all that social?