Navigating storms: The advantages of partnering with a media agency for crisis management
In September 2022, we all witnessed one of the greatest corporate crisis issues our country has ever seen. Australia’s third-largest telecommunications company, Optus, suffered a data breach, affecting up to 10 million current and former customers, compromising their names, birthdates, home addresses, phone numbers, email address, passports and driver's licence numbers.??
What a PR nightmare! However, handling crises like this is where we, as a communications agency, step in and truly demonstrate our expertise, because time and strategic communication is paramount.
Crises don't work to a 9-to-5 schedule, they can happen anywhere, anytime. As a communications agency, we help organisations respond promptly, minimising the potential impact on their reputation.?
Being proactive is key in staying ahead of the narrative, so we can ensure messages are consistent across press releases, social media, and traditional media channels, presenting a unified and coherent response. Crises also often come with legal and regulatory implications, so media agencies are well-versed in navigating the legal landscape, ensuring that all communications comply with regulations and mitigate potential legal risks.
Over many years, we have established relationships with journalists and media outlets, so leveraging these connections allows for a more controlled narrative during a crisis. It ensures that accurate information is disseminated and helps in preventing the spread of misinformation.
Media agencies bring experience in handling a variety of crisis scenarios. Our expertise allows us to anticipate potential challenges, develop comprehensive crisis communication plans, and execute effective strategies to manage the situation.
After the crisis subsides, we can conduct post-crisis analysis to assess the impact and effectiveness of communication strategies. We can then assist in reputational recovery, helping your organisation rebuild trust and credibility.