Crisis Communications

Purpose and Overview

Our team has years of experience in media relations and crisis communications work on behalf of corporate, public sector, and non-profit clients. We will work directly with you, your business, or your organization to enable you to communicate effectively in the event of an internal crisis in your business, or an external crisis that directly impacts your industry sector. In this interactive program, you will learn how to effectively handle interactions with the media, whether it’s in print, broadcast, or new media.

We will help you create strategies that can dramatically minimize the potential impact of negative news reports and instead enable you to proactively communicate key themes and messages that are your highest priority. Even if you don’t have previous experience doing media interviews, you will be given the tools and resources you need to interact with the media strategically and effectively when crisis hits.

Structure and Goals

The Crisis Communications Program is a hands-on, interactive program that teaches you how to develop messages that will move your agenda forward instead of being hamstrung by negative media coverage. By practicing crisis communications techniques using actual scenarios, program participants learn the essential skills to communicate with journalists from any type of publication or media outlet – even in the worst types of situations.

You will learn how to:

  • Understand the nature of the news business
  • Get a feel for how news reporters pursue their stories
  • Differentiate between separate categories of news stories
  • Use different techniques depending on the type of news outlet (print, broadcast, or new media)
  • Create a compelling message that addresses your priorities – not a reporter’s
  • Respond to media inquiries when key incident information is still forthcoming
  • Publicly address internal or confidential matters
  • Provide essential information in a breaking news situation
  • Proactively get your message out instead of waiting for media inquiries
  • Remain confident and strong – even during a difficult interview
  • Avoid traps and leading questions from reporters
  • Serve as a journalists’ resource for a future news story

PROGRAMS AVAILABLE:

For companies and groups, we offer 1-day sessions, 2-day sessions, and extended, multiple day sessions.  Training is conducted either on-site or off-site, depending on your preference.

Programs can be combined with other programs, or offered on their own.

Programs can be adjusted to your particular needs.

For individuals and small groups, we also offer private coaching services.

For information about the video version of this program, please contact us.