In the last year, we’ve witnessed some of the biggest PR and communications crises, ranging from Equifax’s massive 145.5 million-person data breach to the devastation of Hurricane Harvey and other natural disasters. Organizations from many sectors responded in answer to these widespread crises, but some struggled more than others to get the right message and information out to the public. How can communicators plan for such internal and external disasters? What is the right way to address the public and stakeholders? Who’s involved in the planning and execution of a crisis communications strategy?
Join PRSA Austin for these answers to these questions, and learn best practices for responding in times of your own or external crises, developing and executing on crisis communications strategy, and how to appropriately work with media to make sure your publics have the accurate information they need, when they need it.
We’ve lined up a panel of local crisis PR experts with both corporate and non-profit backgrounds, as well as a local broadcast news reporter to offer perspective from all sides of a crisis. Led by our moderator and PRSA Austin President, Caitlin New of INK Communications Co., experts will analyze recent crises as examples of what to do and what not to do, offer advice on priority considerations for your organization’s crisis communications plans, and discuss the most appropriate and respectful forms of engagement with media and your publics in times of crisis.
Panelists include:
Stef Manisero, Broadcast Reporter, Spectrum News
Stef Manisero joined the Spectrum (formerly Time Warner Cable) News team in October 2015, formerly from New York and Michigan. Before heading South, Stef spent a year in Duluth, Minnesota as a reporter for FOX 21. Working for Spectrum News here in Austin, she has been on the front lines of crises in the media today. She and her cameraman were wading through the floods to cover Hurricane Harvey. She was at the Dallas PD shooting last summer, and most recently as the news of the mass shooting in Las Vegas unfolded, she was co-anchoring the Spectrum News morning show. She also covered the confederate monuments coming down at UT campus. When it comes to breaking news, Stef has seen it all.
Kari Hernandez, President & Co-Founder, INK Communications Co.
Kari Hernandez is the co-founder and president of INK Communications Co., a communications company that builds PR, content, social and creative programs for national brands in the tech, clean energy, corporate, and consumer goods industries. INK Communications Co. is headquartered in Austin, with an office in Denver and new office in New York City.
Jan Gunter, Deputy Development Director, The Salvation Army – Austin Area Command
Jan Gunter is the Deputy Development Director for The Salvation Army Austin Area Command. In this role, she oversees her entire department and serves as the Public Information Officer in times of disaster. Formerly, she served as the communications and community relations director. During her years of service with The Salvation Army Austin, she has forged strong media relationships in our community and brought the Austin Area Command national recognition for her work to help bring refuge to those experiencing homelessness in Austin and the surrounding area. Most recently, Jan led the charge handling communications in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. By directing PR efforts both on social media and with traditional media (KXAN and CBS Austin), Jan and her team were hard at work to facilitate proceeds going to the right place. In total, the Salvation Army of Austin provided approximately $1.2 million to Harvey relief so far.
Register online now to hear from Austin’s most knowledgeable crisis PR pros!**
