PR Disasters

As a PR professional, I answer my cell phone no matter the hour. Many times, it is a client dealing with a new crisis.

All industries are subject to crises. Think: Subway, NFL, Reddit. But there are ways you can be prepared to manage them. In crisis management, the best defense is a good offense.

First, have a plan. Talk to your PR firm and discuss spokespeople, protocol and what not to say. Second, engage your employees and let them participate in crisis training. Third, remember, silence = assumption. The incident likely won’t “blow over” if you don’t acknowledge it.

– Sarah Funderburk, APR, SPR Atlanta