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21 Articles Found

The PR Implications of Conspiracy Theories for Private Companies

Let me say right from the start that this is not going to be a comprehensive analysis of the topic described in the headline. I think the headline presents a great premise for an article, but really I don't have the stomach for it. Maybe further down the road. I waded into this subject after reviewing the first part of PRovoke's story, "Crisis Review: The Top 20 Crises Of 2020," which selected election fraud claims to top its list. Dominion Voting Systems somehow wound up on the radar of absolutely crazy theories about how the 2020 vote could have been changed or otherwise manipulated. I'm sure the public relations and crisis counselors working with and for Dominion were sickened by what they witnessed, and I 100 percent support their legal efforts to extract whatever pounds of flesh they can from …


Five Crisis Communications Fundamentals Every Organization Needs to Know

Access to Accurate Information Will Help Decision Makers Stop a Crisis Plenty has been written about how digital media has changed crisis communications. That makes sense, because the pace of scrutiny has accelerated with everyone carrying devices that can instantly broadcast video to a worldwide audience. What’s more, digital media creates a platform for people to express outrage, and that backlash can really sting. That said, the core fundamentals of crisis communications remain unchanged from when I entered public relations more than 20 years ago – and they go back a lot further than that.  Crisis communications is sometimes portrayed as a way to deflect responsibility or explain away a problem. In reality, crisis PR’s most important role is to aid in stopping human suffering and the potential for harm to the community as quickly as possible.  Crisis communications does …


The Top 5 Benefits of PR Crisis Planning

Crisis Planning Can Reduce Crisis Risk and Speed Up Crisis Response Kudos to Jill Odom, editor for the trade publication, Total Landscape Care, for this week's story, "Expecting the unexpected: Managing a public relations crisis." Odom makes the case that every business -- even small businesses -- are at risk of a crisis and need a crisis response plan just in case. The article is worth reviewing and it prompted us at DPK Public Relations to catalogue a few of the biggest benefits we have observed businesses enjoying as a result of going through the crisis planning process. Here are the top five benefits of developing a crisis response plan: 1. The mere act of creating a crisis plan often establishes heightened awareness of crisis risks throughout the organization. By identifying and prioritizing the events that could threaten normal business …


DPK Public Relations Founder Discusses Crisis Planning

Oregon Communicators Learn About Fundamentals of Crisis Communications DPK Public Relations Founder Daniel Keeney, APR was proud to present at the Spring Conference of the Healthcare Communicators of Oregon last week on the subject of Crisis Communications Planning. He discussed how all crises have certain characteristics, including unwanted scrutiny, an interruption of normal business operations and harm (or threat of harm) to reputation. If your organization is experiencing an event or percolating issue with those three characteristics, you are probably in great danger of being in crisis.  If your organization is in crisis, call DPK Public Relations at 800.596.8708.  Another common element of crisis is that the event could have been anticipated. One of the great values of crisis planning is conducting a threat or vulnerability assessment. We do this by talking with people from throughout the organization and also assessing …


DPK Public Relations Founder and President Offers Advice to Bill Cosby

"The other alternative is to call it a career and put up the going out of business sign" DPK Public Relations Founder and President Daniel Keeney, APR, is frequently called upon to comment on PR crisis response, and his recent advice regarding Bill Cosby's troubles received media coverage across the U.S. In an interview with Brian Melley of Associated Press, Keeney said that many PR counselors recommend anyone facing unwanted scrutiny acknowledge the troubles and then go on an apology tour. However, one of the most powerful assets a person facing accusations has is time. Below are links to some of the media coverage that resulted:  Fox News Bill Cosby's silence may be his best defense at this point KLAS-TV Las Vegas Bill Cosby's silence may be his best defense, legal experts say The Telegram Bill Cosby's silence may be his …


When Updating Crisis Plan, Consider Changing World Events

Could Your Overseas Executives be Kidnapping Targets? In anticipation of conducting crisis training for a client, we recently requested a copy of their crisis communications plan. Much to the chagrin of the company's communications leader, he provided a document that had been in the works for literally years, but remained unfinished. My suggestion: circulate the unfinished draft and get it approved.  A crisis communication plan is never finished. It is a living, breathing thing. I've seen a quote attributed alternately to Confucius and Voltaire that sums up my feelings about crisis communications planning: "Don't let perfect be the enemy of good." By striving for a perfect plan, and in the process delaying the completion of a good enough plan, you are endangering your entire organization. It can actually be empowering to realize that the crisis communications plan can never be …


DPK Public Relations President Provides Expert Commentary on PR Crisis Response to Colorado Theater Shooting

  With roots and many friends in Colorado, DPK Public Relations' President Dan Keeney was deeply effected by this month's tragic shooting that killed or injured dozens of men, women and children. As a graduate of the University of Colorado, Keeney has kept a close eye on developments to understand what role, if any, the University may have played in triggering the gunman. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to the victims and their families. As experts in crisis communication that help organizations plan for and respond to problems and crisis events, DPK Public Relations regularly is called upon by journalists to offer expert advice and guidance. As FOX News reported: Warner Bros. to contribute to Aurora relief fund; PR pros say studio handling crisis with care and compassion Daniel Keeney, President of DPK Public Relations and PR crisis …


Social Media Mistakes Can Hurt Your Business

  Barry Shlachter with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram recently reported on the story of the owner of a new brew pub who let his frustrations with his kitchen staff get the better of him. We've all heard the classic advice to count to 10 or go walk it off so you don't do or say something you will later regret. Apparently this guy didn't get that advice. As Shlachter describes in his story, "Fort Worth pub seeks to put profane posts in the past," which was picked up by other papers who use the Mclatchy-Tribune News Service, Carlo Galotto ranted publicly via Facebook about what he called, "spoiled Obama kids" then engaged in some name calling when people posted responses to his unfortunate tirade. Not exactly a great way to ingratiate yourself or your brand new business to your community. …


Outcome of Chilean Mine Collapse Proves Effectiveness of Media Training

I am not sure how I missed this story when it first happened, but it is worth recapping even if the event happened a couple weeks ago. Those Chilean miners who once were trapped underground and now are hobnobbing with the rich and famous? They were media trained while awaiting rescue. Okay, that definitely deserves an LOL.   There are a lot of jokes that come to mind, but the reality is that sometimes I think the people who trudge into a media training session would prefer to be trapped underground for a month rather than participate in training to prepare them to handle media scrutiny. Their perspective changes once we get rolling, because what we do is fun and interactive, but I haven’t found too many people who get excited about spending a day in a media training session. They …


The Truth about "Digital Crisis Communications"

Recent high profile online calamities experienced by notable brands are prompting discussion about the emergence of a new discipline: digital crisis communications. I understand that some people may believe the fundamental rules have shifted, thus necessitating a new approach to crisis planning and response. However, this is not the case. The fundamentals of crisis communications remain as relevant in an era of rapidly evolving media power structures as they have always been.   That said, I am realistic enough to expect that digital crisis communications will probably catch fire because it captures the current zeitgeist. Social media has reached the tipping point, so more problems will be reported and discussed through online tools such as Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and whatever emerges in the next year to dethrone them.    There will undoubtedly be all sorts of people who portray themselves as digital crisis …