Preparedness is the not-so-secret weapon in productive interactions with the press Preparing for a media interview is a pivotal moment for any professional or organization, serving as an opportunity to shape narratives, influence public perception, and communicate key messages. Whether you’re a seasoned spokesperson or facing the media for the first time, the importance of thorough preparation cannot be overstated. While going on record, particularly in front of a camera, is a stressful situation any way you slice it, preparing properly can help remove much of the automatic fear reaction that ..read more

The Intersection of Traditional PR and Crisis Management In an era where the digital landscape dominates the field of communication, it’s important to remember that many principles of traditional public relations continue to provide a foundation for crisis management. The intertwined relationship between these two disciplines is a valuable example of how a combined approach can help you to better navigate today’s complex business climate, fortifying reputation, resilience, and crisis response Traditional PR At its core, traditional PR focuses on building and maintaining a positive image for a ..read more

Strategic Approach is Critical to Communications Success Communicating with Intent In an information-rich world, the strategic orchestration of communications — from routine public relations, to critical discussions between leaders and stakeholders, to high-stakes crisis management — stands as a cornerstone in maintaining control of your own story, upholding reputation and empowering your team to meet organizational goals while steering clear of potential disruptions. The Bedrock At its core, communicating strategically involves the deliberate crafting and dissemination of messages to fulfill ..read more

Understanding Crisis Management for Businesses Believe it or not, many businesses still don’t understand the importance of crisis management While shows like Scandal and Succession have helped bring a basic understanding of crisis management to the general public, far fewer understand the business case for crisis management as a valuable tool for any organization rather than a high-level tool for political candidates or household names. Maybe we should back it up and explain what we’re talking about when we say ‘crisis management’ first. Crisis management refers to the identification, assessm ..read more

Crisis Management Training: Practice Makes Perfect Given the tumultuous nature of the past several years, most organizations probably don’t have to look back too far to recall a situation where the thought, “Wish we’d been more prepared for this!” came to mind. From global pandemics and economic woes to deepfakes and cyber attacks, the unforeseen is the new normal. This of course makes it all the more important to take crisis management training seriously regardless of your organization’s size or sector. Why Does Training Matter? If we told you that you’re going to perform a play, tonight, wi ..read more

Crisis Planning: A Foundation For Crisis Management Success The ability to anticipate and safely navigate through crises has long been a cornerstone of organizational resilience. Since at least 1982, when Johnson & Johnson’s response to incidents of Tylenol being deliberately contaminated with cyanide set the bar for modern crisis management, smart brands have taken precautions to safeguard against threats to reputation, operations, and the financial bottom line. Crisis planning, an integral component of broader crisis management and communication efforts, empowers brands to better withst ..read more

Reputation Management During Crisis Strong reputation management during crisis situations is critical today. While many of the resources out there will proclaim the need for immediate full transparency and constant communications through all channels, the truth is that this approach can sometimes create more trouble than it resolves. In order to make reputation management during crisis effective, you need to recognize the importance of balancing openness with strategic discretion. Let’s look at some of the best practices behind how, why, and where you communicate when your reputation’s under ..read more

Financial Crisis Management and Your Reputation When the term “financial crisis management” springs to mind, it often conjures images of plummeting stock prices, emergency board meetings, and frenzied efforts to safeguard assets. While there’s no denying the importance of addressing the finances in a financial crisis, there’s another crucial aspect that’s frequently overshadowed by the monetary turmoil — the impact on public relations and reputation. A financial crisis doesn’t just strain your cash flow; it tests the strength of your brand’s image in the public eye. Let our experts help expla ..read more

Elevate Your Business with Proactive Crisis Preparedness In the business world, the unexpected lurks around every corner. Disruptions come without warning, carrying the power to shake your organization to its core. That’s why embracing crisis preparedness is not just wise — it’s also a critical component of savvy business operations. As we navigate an ever-more complex business environment, let’s examine why your organization should integrate robust crisis preparedness into its day-to-day operations. What Is Crisis Preparedness? Crisis preparedness is the strategic process by which an organiz ..read more

Celebrating 30 Years of Bernstein Crisis Management The big three-oh! This year, Bernstein Crisis Management celebrates thirty years in business, and thirty years of proving critics who weren’t shy about proclaiming, “You can’t manage a crisis!”, wrong. As we celebrate this milestone, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on our journey, the evolution of crisis management, and the ever-increasing relevance of our work in today’s world. From the early days, BCM founder Jonathan Bernstein had a clear vision. He sought to educate those thrust into crisis management roles, whether by design or cir ..read more