It Is Your Crisis Conference: Takeaways from Regional Conference

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UF PRSSA traveled to Statesboro, Georgia this weekend to attend the first PRSSA Regional Conference of the year.

Over the course of two days, members listened to the stories of guest speakers, networked with other students and professionals, and worked through “The Office” themed crisis workshops.

Here are the key takeaways from the conference:

Keynote speaker: PR and Communications Manager for Moe’s Southwest Grill, Lindsay Haynes, APR

Haynes described reputation management as influencing and controlling the public perception of a person or organization. The Queso Competition, Three Amigos Taco Competition and Mean Tweets are all great examples of PR campaigns that Moe’s implemented to boost their reputation.

Another point Haynes made very clear is that authenticity plays a major role in brand personality during a crisis or a PR campaign. As a company, you need to stay true to your values. However, it is important for you to be able to separate your own personal brand from the company’s during this process.

Guest speaker: Employment Brand Strategist for Cox Enterprises, Briana Daugherty

As an employment branding strategist, you have to constantly look at how your company is perceived by consumers, employers and potential applicants. Knowing how to promote the company’s culture, environment and leaders to the public is essential.

Here are six steps to follow when responding to negativity:

  1. Listen

  2. Know if and when to respond

  3. Set up a response flowchart

  4. Acknowledge the problem

  5. Respond

  6. Learn

Guest speaker: Auctioneer, Alex Grovenstein

When it comes to dealing with a crisis, having a team is important because it brings people of different backgrounds together and offers different perspectives for every scenario.

Grovenstein created the crisis ABCs:

Always have a seat at the table. Doing so will ensure that you are fully immersed in the company’s culture and leadership.

Be proactive. Always plan ahead for things that could happen, because things are always going to happen.

Communicate the truth.

Written by Amanda Carr



UF PRSSA