Crises Communication

From recession to redundancies, take-overs to disasters, headline stories often strike when you least expect. When they do, unless your organization is completely prepared to handle the press, what could have easily been managed can develop into a full-blown crisis. When things take a turn for the worst, your organisation won’t just be in the news, you will become the headlines. The key is preparation, and nothing will prepare you better for facing the press than attending this exceptional hands-on workshop. Thanks to practical advice you and your organisation will be ready handle the media with confidence and ease.

Target Audience

This course is designed for communication managers and directors who need to revise and evaluate their crisis plans, see value in understanding how media work and learning how effectively deal with them. This course will also be perfect for senior managers who may have to face the press to deal with an unexpected crisis.

• The evolution of the media
• Today’s multi-platform media village
• Why are some stories news worthy and others are not
• Tailoring online and offline press releases
• Building constructive press relations
• Devising a crisis plan
• Implementing your team
• What the press wants from you
• Becoming a valued authority
• Crafting your key response communications
• Dealing with difficult questions
• Spin vs. upbeat press relations
• The Three Rs of catastrophe management
• Classic propaganda from the past
• Using online PR tools (including Twitter, YouTube and Facebook)
• Creating your own online news centre.
• Types of interview
• Telephone. From soundbites to phone-ins
• TV studio
• The three-minute testimonial
• Remote interviews
• Cross-examinations
• Opinion pieces
• Video news releases
• Radio
• Using microphones
• Audio news releases
• Face-to-face
• Dealing with awkward interview questions
• Developing charisma
• Proving authenticity and sincerity
• Having a ‘back-up’ plan