Crisis Communications Keeps NYC Public Relations Firms Busy

There’s an old saying, some believe it to be a backhanded insult, “May you live in interesting times.” Members of the NYC Public Relations community have certainly experienced “interesting times” over the recent past. Major crises seem to have abounded during 2010. BP, Toyota, Tiger Woods, and Wall Street come to mind. These and other such matters have made for busy times for NYC Public Relations firms and their counterparts all over the world.

The NYC Public Relations industry – particularly those specializing in crisis communications – does indeed have its share of critics. Those critics assert that slick NYC Public Relations firms can distort the truth about a crisis. While the NYC Public Relations industry does have its charlatans – aka “spin doctors – most adhere to ethical standards.

The NYC Public Relations industry comes under fire as public trust in companies and institutions often drops as public relations tactics are deployed. Critics of the industry believe that the issues or situations have been spun in some way to take the blame away from company or to decrease the severity of a crisis. They are quick to point out that communications during a time of crisis are stage-managed events during which performers read lines that were written and rewritten until the message that presented is as perfectly constructed as possible. The script, it is alleged, always reads the same and casts the company as concerned about its customers and public.

Clearly, NYC Public Relations Firms have a role in crisis communications. Their clients’ reputations are at stake, risking same by “spin doctoring” or being fanciful with the truth can create a much larger problem by irreparably damaging a company’s reputation. NYC Public Relations pros have long realized that there are two sides to every story and that, during times of crisis, it is important that the client’s voice be heard in the debate.

To keep the public informed during a crisis, companies will often turn to NYC public relations firms. These consultants offer an outside view of the problem and create plans that ensure the public is informed of all relevant information. Prior to creating plans, reputable PR firms will ask to learn all the facts, especially those that the company would rather not talk about. Also, the company must have a plan to remediate the problem and be prepared to discuss it before all of its constituencies. Spokespeople need to be trained to face those constituents. Finally, good NYC pubic relations firms will help facilitate the communication of those messages by helping the company maintain an ongoing dialogue with the media. NYC Public Relations firms have learned that a company’s reputation can be restored by being completely forthright and transparent.