“Has anyone had recent experience of using a PR firm to develop the communication element of their crisis management plan and, if so, which firm would they recommend?
Is it better to use the same PR firm for crisis management as the company uses for its general financial PR or are there advantages in using crisis management specialists?”
We are a consumer-facing food manufacturer and retailer and have an extensive Crisis Management process, ranging from choking customers to shops looted and burnt by rioting. We keep our Crisis PR distinct from Marketing and Corporate Comms, on the basis that dealing with reactive media statements, generally in the context of bad news, is better kept separate from the front foot stuff. We use, and are very happy with, PR Principles in Nottingham who are the first line of defence in the event of any media interest in a crisis. Our CM Policy requires that anyone who receives a call from the media in relation to a crisis receives a standard reposnse,along the lines of “I am not the person best able to answer your question, but if you can give me your name and contact number I will be happy to have someone call you back.” The call then comes into our CM log.
Would recommend Natwest Stockbrokers.
They are personable, efficient and on the ball.
Any of the team are good but Ghal Supple or Jamie Cairns are my preferred points of contact.
At flotation our advisers helped us to produce a plan for a bid being made for the company and this included a draft announcement.
Also we have a draft announcement on the shelf for business continuity purposes.