Crisis Communications
While the majority of our services focus on proactive good news, we understand that for many organizations it’s not a matter of “if” but “when” a sensitive or difficult situation will occur.
Our experienced team believes strongly in having an ongoing strategy for communicating positive news before a crisis occurs. For our long-term proactive public relations retainer clients, the Strategic Communications team is available to help manage communications before, during, and after a crisis – in the initial crucial hours and throughout the important days that follow.
Strategic Communications also offers proactive crisis communications services to best position your organization for any sensitive or difficult situation before it escalates into crisis. We have helped dozens of organizations across Syracuse and Central New York navigate unexpected leadership transitions, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory and compliance changes, workplace incidents, health and safety issues, and more.
If your organization is – or might be – facing a sensitive or crisis situation in the coming weeks or months, we strongly encourage you to contact our team as soon as possible (like, today!). It often takes several weeks to develop a proper strategy for communicating through difficult situations.
What is Proactive Crisis Communications?
Proactive crisis communications is about foresight, strategy, and preparation. The difference between success and failure in a sensitive or crisis situation comes down to whether your team is proactive or reactive. Engaging our team a few months in advance of a potential situation allows us to help you anticipate potential threats and implement strategies to mitigate risks before they become issues.
Our crisis communications experts work with you to identify vulnerabilities, develop comprehensive communications plans, and train your leadership to respond effectively under pressure. In taking this proactive approach to sensitive or difficult situations, your organization will not only weather the storm but emerge stronger, with your reputation and identity not just preserved but fortified.
Learn more about “Losing Your Identify in Times of Crisis”
Why Choose Strategic Communications?
The sooner you engage our services, the better we can prepare your organization – giving you the best chance to control the narrative and protect your organization’s reputation.
We understand that every organization is unique. Our team tailors communication strategies to fit your specific needs, industry, and potential risk factors. Our crisis communication plans include:
- SWOT analysis
- Identification of all the audiences that you’ll need to consider
- “Standby” statements or “holding” statements for times when you cannot share full details
- Development of key messages to communicate with internal and external audiences
- Media protocols
- Timeline and action steps for various scenarios
Our team often works side-by-side with legal and other professional counsel to support your organization’s overall communication needs and business goals. This collaborative, proactive crisis communications planning process ensures that everyone in your organization knows their role and responsibilities during the sensitive or difficult situation.
We also prepare your leadership and spokespersons, ensuring they are equipped to handle questions from employees, customers, news media, social media, and other stakeholder communications with confidence and clarity.
At your option, our team can serve as gatekeepers – fielding inquiries from the media while you focus on your organization’s most important internal and external audiences. Through our decades of work in Central New York, we have personal relationships with many media contacts. In crisis situations, this means that we know how to develop creative solutions that satisfy local reporters while maintaining the communications strategy for your organization.
Initial Consultation and Confidentiality
We value your privacy and the sensitivity of the issues you may face. That’s why we offer strict confidentiality agreements to protect all conversations and information shared with us.
Don’t wait for a crisis to unfold. By contacting us now, you can take the first step toward protecting your organization from the potential reputational, financial, and other damages of a crises.
Your first phone call is free, providing you with an opportunity to discuss your concerns and learn how we can help. Our proactive crisis communications services are designed to give you peace of mind and the tools you need to successfully navigate any situation.