Crisis Communications and Planning

The bad news is no matter what type of business you are in, a crisis can and will happen to you. In today's world, you even have to be aware of the cyber crisis in which a damaging e-mail or Web site about your organization could be seen by millions of people in a matter of minutes. The good news is that 20 Hats is experienced in crisis communications and can help you both purposefully plan for and face any crises that come your way. Other than perhaps your mom, no one will care more about preserving your reputation than 20 Hats.

How it works:

1. We develop a crisis communications plan for an organization to prepare it for crises OR
2. We jump in as an organization is experiencing a crisis to handle media relations and prepare statements, talking points, key messages, etc.

Crisis Plans:

Planning ahead is much more effective than scrambling during a crisis, so we recommend that all organizations have a crisis plan in place. As soon as you say, “That will never happen to us,” it will.

Our crisis communications planning starts with drafting possible crisis scenarios for your organization. Your plan will include warning signs for each crisis, how to respond to media questions about the situation, what immediate steps you would take to minimize damage and the key messages your organization would want to stress. After we write the plan, we will train your crisis team on how to use it and how to successfully interview with the media.

Crisis Relations:

During a crisis, we act as your liaison with the media to be sure they get honest information quickly and accurately. We will prepare key messages and/or a statement your organization will want to stress to the media and community at large. We will prepare talking points for and prep your spokesperson for media interviews. In addition, we will help you distribute information about the crisis to your employees. Throughout a crisis, our main goals are to provide honest information and maintain your reputation.

Crisis Case Studies:

"From the first time we met 20 Hats, we were very impressed with how professional yet personal the entire staff is. They made us feel very comfortable during our time with them. They were there every step of the way from helping us during the time of our crisis to celebrating our new school building. And the staff genuinely cared about our students - what a great experience! We couldn't ask for better representation. Hats off to 20 Hats!!!"
-Janet Grigg, executive director of Justice Alma Wilson SeeWorth Academy
Click here to view this crisis communications/media relations case study.

"20 Hats guided my staff and me in managing this crisis through setting goals. The staff was both knowledgeable and understanding in meeting my needs. They have even seized this opportunity to help my practice grow. I would highly recommend 20 Hats to anyone seeking marketing or public relations assistance."
-Rodney Shivers, DDS
Click here to view this cyber crisis case study.

If you need immediate crisis communications assistance, please call Danielle Ezell at (405) 206-6417.