When Every Minute Matters: Crisis Communications in Today’s Media Landscape

Today’s news cycle doesn’t wait for the facts. A cyberattack, executive misstep, or viral social media post can become national news before your leadership team has finished its first meeting. Organizations need crisis communication plans that allow them to respond quickly, accurately and consistently, while information is still developing.

Whether it’s a ransomware attack that shuts down operations, a social media controversy or an unexpected executive issue, today’s crises unfold in real time. Stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors and media, expect answers within minutes.

Behind every public statement, media interview and social media update is a communications team working to navigate an evolving situation while protecting an organization’s reputation. Every new crisis serves as a reminder that no industry or organization is immune. Leaders across every sector should be evaluating their crisis communications strategy and asking one important question: Are we prepared if this happens to us?

For any crisis communications firm, every major news event is an opportunity to reassess existing plans. New technologies, evolving media channels an changing stakeholder expectations requires organizations to continually refine their approach to protecting both their business and their reputation.

When we lead crisis communications training with clients, we talk about the crises that are of our own making and those driven by outside forces.  The flow of information, who shares that information and when are all factors for consideration.  That won’t change, but the complexity of the crises we are dealing with has certainly changed.

It’s never been a good idea to leave the plan on the shelf and hope you never have to use it. That plan has to be reviewed, updated, tested and shared on a regular basis so your organization is prepared to react with confidence when needed.

Now more than ever.