Crisis Communications Management - by Adrian Wheeler (Hardcover)

About the Book

This PRCA Practice Guide is designed to help PR people, clients and employers do the right thing in the turmoil of a crisis. Planning, preparation, resources, training: seizing and keeping the initiative; managing the aftermath. With numerous real-life examples and practical exercises plus advice from PR experts, journalists and editors.

Book Synopsis

Can you control a crisis? No - but with adequate preparation you can control the reputational consequences. Reputational damage is rarely caused by the crisis itself but, instead, by what the organisation does and says under the media spotlight.
This PRCA Practice Guide describes how to invest in readiness and what to do when a crisis strikes. Coverage includes contingency planning, stakeholder identification, crisis communications policy, spokesperson training, the 'Red Book', dark sites, rehearsals and simulations, locations and resources, taking the initiative, and managing the aftermath. The book also covers in detail the role of the mainstream and online media, recommending steps to neutralise hostility and shut down ill-informed comment.
Including numerous real-life examples, discussion topics and advice from PR experts, journalists and editors, Crisis Communications Management is intended as an essential guide for public relations professionals, and the people who work with them during a crisis, on how to navigate the turmoil and emerge from a crisis with reputation and credibility intact.

Review Quotes

Once a PR consultant judges a situation as a crisis, the next step is to convince management that it has reached the crisis level, and that it needs time, money, and effort to reach resolution, with speed of the utmost importance. Wheeler presents his "Red Book" Crisis Communications Management--which offers arguments for management to get in touch with reality; find a reasonable level of investment in crisis preparation; support judgment-making; aid in anticipating crises with confidence, and find the right systems and materials. A well-handled crisis can be good for a company's reputation and favorability vis-a-vis the outside world's perception.--Annotation (c)2019 "(protoview.com)"

'Adrian Wheeler is one of the most experienced reputation and crisis management specialists that Europe has to offer. He has put together an extremely accessible, useful and practical guide to the crises that will hit most organisations at some point in their history. This collection of practical tips, case studies and expert opinion will be valuable to any serious communications professional.'--Danny Rogers, Editor-in-Chief, haymarket business media

'In this much-needed clear, concise and compelling account of what will ensure one's place as a trusted crisis communications advisor to a client facing the worst, Adrian combines his experience with that of others respected in our industry globally to create a valuable, user-friendly guide to effective crisis management. Well worth reading, absorbing and acting upon!--Robyn de Villiers, Chairman and CEO: Africa, BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe)

'People should read this book before they have a crisis. Then they should read it again when they have a crisis. It doesn't take long to read because there is no waffle - just excellent advice from one of the country's most experienced and respected PR experts.'--Professor Trevor Morris, Co-Author of 'PR Today'

'The power of the book is not just the exemplary advice it presents but the practical real-time guidelines offered. The many excellent case studies give great landmark and contemporary examples from which to learn. So - invaluable for the novice but also a great refresher on best practice for the experienced.'--Alison Clarke, Senior Partner, Alison Clarke Communications

About the Author

Adrian Wheeler is a crisis communications consultant. He is also a non-executive with four public relations agencies, and works as a PR and media trainer. Previously, he co-founded Sterling Public Relations which was acquired by Grey Advertising, where he became CEO of GCI UK and chairman of GCI Europe. He was also chairman of the PRCA 1999-2000 and chairman of the CIPR's Professional Practices Committee 2008-2012. In 2010 he was awarded the Sir Stephen Tallents Medal. He is the author of Purchasing Public Relations for the PRCA and editor of Best Business Advice.