Services

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

You can’t prepare for a crisis while you’re having one.

When a crisis occurs… either human-caused or an act of nature… the rules of the game that govern typical news media coverage changes dramatically. Just as important, the social media accelerate and complicate the response required to preserve an organization’s reputation. A crisis will quickly overwhelm any organization whose leaders and people are not prepared.

Rockford Gray defines the word “crisis” this way:

An occurrence that places your organization’s reputation at risk.
An incident that creates victims of any kind.
An event that could cause you to lose business or threaten your ability to continue operating.

Managing a crisis requires a plan.

“Winging it” is not a successful crisis management strategy. Rockford Gray creates, reviews and updates Crisis Plans. We believe strongly that a crisis plan needs to have a “break the glass” quality so that your team can take appropriate steps immediately.

Without training, team members won’t have the tools they need to successfully manage a crisis.

Rockford Gray provides real-time crisis counsel.

While a crisis may not be predictable, the manner in which the media, employees, partners and investors respond can be anticipated. Rockford Gray has been on the front lines in times like these. Our advice and counsel are based on real-world know-how as experienced advisers who help guide clients through some of the most difficult times they will ever face.

Without training, team members won’t have the tools they need to successfully manage a crisis.

Rockford Gray works with crisis teams to prepare them for every aspect of a crisis. This workshop begins with our Crisis Boot Camp, and includes:

Rules of Engagement with the media in a crisis
First hour response
“Buy Time Statement”
Fact finding
Message creation
The role of the internet and social media in crisis communications

Following the Crisis Boot Camp, participants will engage in a Crisis Simulation exercise including:

Reaction to a realistic crisis scenario
Crisis response checklists for crisis team members
News media and social media responses
Mock interviews/news conferences

Media responses in the simulation exercise are recorded and then critiqued. The workshop builds confidence in crisis team members. Our process also identifies gaps and vulnerabilities in an organization’s crisis planning.