{"id":6453,"date":"2020-02-18T07:10:05","date_gmt":"2020-02-18T05:10:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/?p=6453"},"modified":"2022-09-05T19:24:25","modified_gmt":"2022-09-05T17:24:25","slug":"what-is-crisis-pr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/public-relations-blog\/what-is-crisis-pr\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Crisis PR?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"DSM<\/div><\/div>

The life of a public relations professional is much like that of an army general. It\u2019s just paperwork and careful listening until something terrible happens that requires a response. In the case of an army general, troops might be sent in to rectify the situation. When it comes to public relations<\/a>, responding to threats and setting minds at ease involves sending carefully-considered messages via multiple media platforms. This article defines what a crisis is in the corporate context, explains crisis public relations, and offers tips for managing a corporate crisis.<\/p>\n

Defining a crisis<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Institute for Public Relations defines PR as, \u201c\u2026a significant threat to [business] operations which can have negative consequences if these are not handled properly.\u00a0 In crisis management, the threat is the potential damage a crisis can inflict on an organisation, its stakeholders, and an industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

From this definition, we realise that a brand crisis can be just about anything. From irate customers who share their opinions via social media<\/a>, to a defective vehicle component that forces a mass recall. If something happens that will negatively affect a brand or the industry that the brand operates in, it is considered a crisis. The first step to overcoming a crisis, be it a natural disaster or a cybersecurity breach, is to facilitate communication between the brand and its publics.<\/p>\n

Crisis Public Relations<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The way a business responds to a crisis can either give it an image boost or significantly damage the brand which could lead to alienating the customer base and a loss of faith from business partners. By not planning for times of crisis, an organisation risks even worse outcomes.<\/p>\n

Thus, crisis public relations can be defined as the management of an organisation\u2019s inter-communication before, throughout, and after a corporate crisis. Crisis public relations activities include things like sending out press statements to media platforms and establishing online spaces where customers can find out about the crisis and how it affects them.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>