From economic challenges to regulatory change, activist campaigning to breaches of corporate governance, the risk of a crisis casts its shadow over every organisation. In days, a crisis can destroy operational, financial or reputational progress that may have taken years to build.
Being prepared to manage communications in a crisis is an essential element of risk management and business continuity planning. When done properly, comms can mitigate the most damaging impacts of a crisis – and sometimes even enhance reputation. When handled poorly, comms can make a difficult situation infinitely worse.
At Definition Group, we combine the diverse range of expertise and experience within our portfolio of consultancies into an integrated and specialist crisis planning and response team: The Brand Protector. The team spans former national and international journalists, digital media and search specialists, internal communications experts, as well as consumer sentiment and customer engagement consultants. Together, we can help you to control information in a crisis.
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Why work with a crisis comms agency?
Knowing what to say, how to say it, when to say it and who to say it to during a crisis is essential – and not always intuitive. Working with a crisis communications consultancy provides much-needed expertise, a detached external perspective, a consistent communications channel and a structure for making calm and rational decisions under pressure.
Definition’s Brand Protector team includes corporate communications experts from Definition Agency; customer engagement and sentiment tracking advisers from Brand Vista and internal communications specialists from W&P. It can develop and test comprehensive crisis communications plans and toolkits as well as provide a rapid response facility when a crisis does occur, offering calm and considered advice on a 24/7 basis.
A port in a storm
At Definition Group, we have helped public and private organisations address complex and sensitive issues. Some organisations don’t realise the importance of a crisis communications agency until things go wrong – but even then it’s not too late to get expert help. In these cases, we quickly evaluate the situation and develop effective strategies and action plans for leadership teams.
It’s our job to tactically control information. We can monitor the media, advise on responses, manage incoming inquiries, mediate with journalists, draft internal and external statements and social posts, review the search engine results pages and ensure that everyone within the organisation knows what to expect. With comms taken care of, decision makers can focus on repairing damage and getting back to business as usual.
Risk aware organisations keep a crisis communications agency on retainer, meaning that support is just a phone call away. Our retained service offering begins with an immersion session designed to identify risks an organisation faces. We then develop a response plan and carry out continuous horizon scanning. We have senior consultants on call 24/7, so if a crisis does occur, we’re ready to leap into action.
Our crisis communications services
Our portfolio of specialist services includes:
Why Definition Group?
Real world experience – our team has unparalleled national and international experience of diverse crisis situations, often high profile and sensitive.
Cross-sector experience – we have delivered crisis communications services for public and private organisations across a range of industries, including education, housing, maritime, commercial fishing, emergency services and law and trade associations, among others.
Comprehensive coverage – dealing with a crisis in the modern media landscape means control of both traditional and digital channels. Our Brand Protector team includes former national journalists, digital media and search specialists, internal communications experts, as well as sentiment and customer engagement consultants.