ABERNATHY MACGREGOR GROUP
501 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
212/371-5999
Fax: 212/593-1845
www.abmac.com
James Abernathy, Chairman & CEO
Chuck Burgess, Co-President
Winnie Lerner, Co-President
Lex Suvanto, Chief Operating Officer
The Abernathy MacGregor Group is a strategic communications firm that operates in six disciplines: crisis communications, corporate restructuring and bankruptcy, investor relations, transaction communications, IPOs and corporate and financial public relations.
The firm’s crisis communications practice assists clients when unplanned circumstances threaten public perception of their organizations and businesses. We offer support to clients in all phases of crisis planning and response by advocating a crisis preparedness discipline that involves identifying areas of vulnerability, establishing procedures, training spokespeople and agreeing to broad principles of crisis conduct.
The firm’s bankruptcy and restructuring practice — which includes restructurings both within and outside of Chapter 11 protection — has advised on some of the largest and most complex restructurings in corporate history. Working with management and external legal and financial advisors, we develop and implement effective communications programs that help stabilize companies during uncertain times. Properly executed, these plans can help maximize the window of time within which management and its advisors can successfully address the issues fundamental to sustained recovery.
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Andy Getsey, Co-Founder and CEO of Atomic Public Relations. |
ATOMIC PUBLIC RELATIONS
735 Market Street, 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94013
415/593-1400
info@atomicpr.com
www.atomicpr.com
Andy Getsey, Co-Founder & CEO
James Hannon, Co-Founder & CIO
Atomic mixes top flight PR and media relations with social media, events, guerilla programs, video and search engine optimization, enhanced with the sophisticated use of custom communications analytics for strategy building, creative planning and detailed program results measurement. Many Atomic clients achieve increases of 100% or more across numerous measures of PR program impact compared to pre-Atomic baselines, often on lower budgets than before. Atomic PR has powered numerous breakthrough campaigns for progressive consumer, technology and entertainment brands from exciting start-ups like Mint.com, LivingSocial, DropBox, Fusion.io and Smule, to larger brands and leading publicly traded companies including IMAX, SONY, Verizon, Intuit, LinkedIn, Polaroid and Pioneer.
Atomic has offices in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, London and Munich. Atomic is part of Grayling, a leading global agency with 73 offices in 40 countries across the world. More information: www.atomicpr.com. Follow Atomic on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AtomicPR and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AtomicPR.
BOARDROOM COMMUNICATIONS
1776 N. Pine Island Rd., Ste. 320
Plantation, FL 33322
954/370-8999
www.boardroompr.com
Don Silver, Chief Operating Officer
Boardroom Communications is one of Florida’s top PR agencies offering statewide coverage. The firm’s experienced staff of public relations professionals and former journalists routinely handle several high-profile crisis projects and public affairs campaigns each year. Examples include: investigations; hostile takeovers; litigation; product recalls; criminal charges; safety and environmental compliance; accidental deaths; project approvals; legislative campaigns.
Whether you’re developing a crisis communications plan or responding to an urgent threat, Boardroom’s trusted and respected team will help you evaluate the situation, mitigate the risks and deal with your most important audiences, i.e. media, employees, stakeholders, customers, government and others. We immediately consult with your executives to assess the situation and develop an appropriate strategy. Our team monitors traditional media, blogs and social networking sites and handles all inquiries. Call or email us if you are faced with a “Bet-the-Ranch” situation where a capable, seasoned team can help guide you to a satisfactory resolution.
CHARLESTON | ORWIG
515 W. North Shore Drive
Hartland, WI 53029
262/563-5100
www.charlestonorwig.com
Lyle Orwig, CEO
Mark Gale, President and Partner
Amy Richards, Director, Reputation Management
Charleston|Orwig is a strategic communications consultant on reputation management, especially as it relates to sustainability, corporate social responsibility and public issues. The agency manages public, media, stakeholder and government perceptions in support of business objectives by elevating reputations, often in the face of activist, government and media pressures. Whether formulating a communications strategy around a food recall, an environmental sustainability program or a community relations initiative, Charleston|Orwig puts its public relations, reputation management and strategic planning expertise to work for clients in many categories.
While the Charleston|Orwig staff are experts in crisis management and crisis communications, the most important value offered to clients lies in developing strategies that will help prevent crisis through work that improves relationships with stakeholders and critics alike.
CONE COMMUNICATIONS
855 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
617/227-2111
www.coneinc.com
Jens Bang, CEO
Mike Lawrence, Chief Rep. Officer
Jennifer Sheehy Everett, Vice President/Crisis
Cone Communications has been managing sensitive issues for diverse clients nationwide for more than 30 years. Our deep history in issue and crisis management demonstrates that the most effective crisis management comes through preparedness. We offer clients a variety of critical crisis preparedness services, including risk assessments and scenario planning; issue monitoring, analysis and response support for traditional, online and social media; development of crisis communication plans; desktop crisis drills; spokesperson training; and Internet-based crisis counsel and tools.
When a crisis does strike, Cone is available 24/7 to help clients respond with the speed required in today’s online world. We have extensive experience developing communications strategy and positioning for clients navigating crises — always with an eye toward preserving, protecting and enhancing organization and brand reputation.
Cone Communications is flexible in the depth of service we provide crisis clients. For some clients, we serve as the communications arm of their response team. And for others, we are an experienced “sounding board,” reacting to their response plans and ongoing efforts. We’re at the ready, whatever the need.
COYNE PUBLIC RELATIONS
5 Wood Hollow Drive
Parsippany, NJ 07054
973/588-2000
www.coynepr.com
1065 Avenue of the Americas
28th Floor
New York, NY 10018
212/938-0166
Thomas F. Coyne, CEO
Rich Lukis, President
John Gogarty, Executive Vice President
Coyne Public Relations has established itself as one of the leading independent full-service public relations firms in the country representing an impressive collection of international corporations, top national brands, high-profile events and first-class organizations. No agency possesses a better combination of unbridled creativity, limitless enthusiasm, strategic approach, impeccable integrity and client service than our nationally recognized firm.
Coyne PR’s teams of PR professionals have extensive experience developing, executing and supporting crisis communication plans for clients in the following categories: Electronics, Energy, Entertainment, Executive leadership, Food and Nutrition, Healthcare, Restaurant, Toys & Juvenile, Travel.
DAVIES
Headquarters:
808 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805/963-5929
jdavies@daviespublicaffairs.com
www.DaviesPublicAffairs.com
Additional Offices:
Los Angeles: 310/395-9510
Washington, D.C.: 202/580-8930
John Davies, CEO
Robb Rice, EVP
Taylor Canfield, EVP
Lisa Palmer, SVP
Joshua Boisvert, VP
Sasha Boghosian, Director
Caitlin Bidwell, Office Manager
Davies redefines crisis. Winning today is tied directly to your ability to rapidly reach out, engage others, and do so while everyone watches. To minimize damage, we quickly reset strategy, redefine your message, and counsel your messengers. We protect your brand integrity by getting your story out quickly and concisely. Our clients confirm how important it is to share their story the right way — highlighting the benefits across all mediums and inoculating against opponents. We’ve turned more than 500 crises into non-events — often transforming them into opportunities. Many firms simply offer advice and sit on the sidelines. Davies has the audacity to act, unafraid to join the fight and win. To prevent a crisis or make it a win, we’re standing by at DaviesPublicAffairs.com.
Since 1983, Davies has consistently ranked among the top strategic communications firms and is the third largest environmental PR firm in the United States.
PR Specialties: Crisis Management, Energy, Mining, Real Estate, and Pharma/Biotech.
FINEMAN PR
330 Townsend St., Ste. 119
San Francisco, CA 94107
415/392-1000
Fax: 415/392-1099
www.finemanpr.com
Michael Fineman, President
Founded in 1988, San Francisco-based Fineman PR unites large-agency talent, small agency responsiveness and strategic planning. Practice areas include Brand PR, crisis communications, issues management, community relations, social media and multicultural outreach.
Fineman PR is nationally renowned for its expertise and high profile work in crisis communications, offering battle-tested experience and strategic skills to guide companies through contentious times.
Agency President Michael Fineman is ranked among the nation’s top crisis counselors. Given the urgent nature of crisis work, agency representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to act on any situation.
High profile crisis work has included: communications for a preeminent outdoor leadership school when its students suffered a grizzly bear attack in the Alaskan wilderness, the Avian Influenza threat for a large poultry producer, attacks against clients by animal activists, a college falsely accused in the Santa Barbara fires, community relations defense against the dissolution of a healthcare district, mitigating a book smear campaign against a spiritual organization, a school outing that resulted in multiple serious injuries and a student fatality, the 1990s Odwalla food safety incident, redemption of packaged salads accused by media of high bacterial counts, and refuting allegations against a Truckee, Calif., rental housing developer after a tragic explosion.
FINN PARTNERS
1667 K Street NW, Suite 950
Washington, DC 16006
202/974-5045
www.finnpartners.com
Twitter: @finnpartners
jessica@finnpartners.com
1875 Century Park East, Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90067
310/552-4142
shelly@finnpartners.com
Jessica Berk Ross, Senior Partner (DC)
Shelly Holmes, Senior Partner (LA)
While we live in a world — and media environment — that seems to thrive on bad news and the crisis du jour, the Finn Partners approach to crisis management blends both communications and risk management. Finn Partners takes a holistic approach to crisis communications-considering all audiences and stakeholders-from employees, to customers, to media, to regulators, influencers and the public. Our objectives are always to ensure that we defend and preserve reputation, restore trust and mitigate concerns about the future whether the crises are local, national or international in scope. We work with clients to navigate the dynamic and evolving wildcard of how social media networks can create, drive or quell a bad news story or crisis situation.
While a crisis situation is often completely unexpected, we help our clients to assess potential threats and as well as the best ways to prepare for a crisis response and manage an array of complex situations. This dramatically improves the process for dealing with threats after they have occurred, and allows for faster assessment, response to the situation, and can shorten the timeline of the arc from crisis point to the period of recovery so brand and daily operations can either maintain momentum — or renew/recalibrate faster.
GOURVITZ COMMUNICATIONS
875 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1708
New York, NY 10001
212/730-4807 Ext.11
Fax: 212/730-4811
paul@gourvitzcommunications.com
www.gourvitzcommunications.com
Paul Gourvitz, President
Broadcast Public relations was invented for crisis communications. Whether its Exxon, BP, a Wall Street firm, a product recall, everyone needs the correct image on TV. If you can’t tell your story the way you want, why should you expect the media to tell it your way? Everyone at Gourvitz comes from a news background: CBS, CNN, Comcast, NBC, ESPN. Paul Gourvitz, president of Gourvitz Communications started as a page at NBC. And at Gourvitz Communications there is no consultancy fee. You tell us your problem and we will tell you how to solve it. And if you are not satisfied, you don’t pay. We can deliver video content from the middle of the ocean, from the bottom of a trona mine or in the middle of a hurricane.
We still use the traditional tools such as B-roll, Satellite and radio media tours and integrated marketing. But we have added the Interactive Media Tour (IMT) and the digital delivery of content to TV websites and Newspapers. Its not what you do, but how you do it and who you do it with. East Coast or West Coast, all you have to do is call or email us.
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(Top): Michael Murphy Global CEO of Grayling, and (bottom): Christine Boehlke, Founder & CEO, Grayling Connecting Point. |
GRAYLING
Portland House
Bressenden Place
London SW1E 5BH
United Kingdom
0207 932 1850
michael.murphy@grayling.com
www.grayling.com
Michael Murphy, Global CEO
Insightful, decisive & practical. Our team of board level crisis & issues management specialists has unrivalled experience and expertise protecting brands and managing corporate reputations for some of the biggest names in the private and public sector.
When handling complex issues and uncertainty, crisis management in today’s world demands nothing less than razor sharp clarity.
When your business or brand has a problem, you want to know you have the best people, with live crisis experience and up-to-date contacts working on your behalf, who can help you Prepare, Respond and Recover.
From emerging issues to helping in an emergency, we have a team of experts with decades of experience in reputation management, politics and public policy, journalism, and digital available 24/7, 365 days a year. With the resources and support of one of the world’s largest network of offices, no matter where your problems are, we can quickly access local, on-the-ground, support. What’s more, our media trainers will make sure your spokespeople are on-message and confident on camera.
We don’t just handle emergency situations; our team also advises organizations when they face significant and complex regulatory, political, or social issues, which could commercially impact their ability to operate. We have also represented high profile individuals and public figures.
HENNES PAYNTER COMMUNICATIONS
3200 Terminal Tower
50 Public Square
Cleveland, OH 44113
216/321-7774
hennes@crisiscommunications.com
www.crisiscommunications.com
Bruce Hennes, Managing Partner
Barbara Paynter, APR, Partner
Nora Jacobs, APR, Vice President
Hennes Paynter Communications is one of the few agencies in the U.S. focused exclusively on crisis communications. Since 1989, the firm has served corporations, educational and health institutions, government entities, nonprofits and small businesses “on trial” in the court of public opinion. Services include media training, crisis communication plans, crisis drills and litigation communications.
Bruce Hennes is one of Ohio’s best-known crisis specialists and media trainers. He is an in-demand speaker at law firms, universities, bar and trade associations on the subject of crisis communications. He also frequently trains government, safety and education officials to communicate effectively during extreme crisis situations that threaten public safety.
Barbara Paynter has 20+ years experience helping big-name clients resolve crisis and reputational issues. She heads up the firm’s SWAT Team of battle-tested, seasoned professionals.
Nora Jacobs, a three-time Silver Anvil winner, has decades of experience with consumer and industrial products, healthcare, biotechnology, education, chemicals and plastics.
In 2010, Hennes Paynter won the Gold Award for Crisis Communications from PRSA Cleveland for its work on behalf of a community institution caught up in a scandal. In 2009, the firm won the chapter’s “Best in Show” for its work with another agency on the national peanut butter recall.
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ICR Co-Founder and CEO Tom Ryan. |
ICR
761 Main Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851
Fax: 203/682-8201
www.icrinc.com
Thomas M. Ryan, CEO, Co-Founder
Don Duffy, President
ICR combines in-depth sector knowledge with high-level capital markets, media, and corporate communications experience to help companies communicate with their core audiences. ICR brings deep experience to helping companies assess risks, plan and prepare for all contingencies and, where necessary, manage those crises. Our approach focuses on crisis planning, crisis simulation, and crisis management and support. We assist clients with crisis planning by conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments to determine potential scenarios and develop contingency plans with complete communications materials for each potentiality. We also help companies establish crisis teams and develop internal processes and protocols. We also work with clients by creating realistic scenarios and responding in turn, to identify the strengths and weaknesses in the internal systems to ensure they are sound when the real crises occur. Our crisis management teams work hand-in-hand with senior management, helping define, develop and deliver the communications that will meet the needs of all key stakeholders. Our competitive strength lies in our professional expertise, integrated approach and commitment to senior-level client service.
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Suite 10
Washington, D.C. 20036
202/452-8711
erikafalk@jhu.edu
Dr. Erika Falk, Program Director
The Master of Arts in Communication Program offers a serious, practical, and flexible degree program that can be completed online or at our Washington, D.C. Center. The program teaches applied knowledge from the perspective of social scientists who study effective communication and leading practitioners who use it. Students complete 10 classes in the cutting-edge curriculum that integrates digital technology with strategic communication and strong writing skills. Combining the study of best practices with what research shows is effective gives our graduates a competitive advantage in the workplace. The thesis requirement is the pinnacle of serious and elite master’s degree programs. Upon completion of this milestone, students in the Communication Program earn a traditional Master of Arts degree, an established and recognized credential that gives them the flexibility to excel in the workplace or further their education at the doctoral level. You can learn more about the program and apply online at communication.jhu.edu.
KAPLOW
19 West 44th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10036
212/221-1713
www.kaplowpr.com
email-liz@kaplowpr.com
Kaplow West
795 Folsom Street, 1st Floor
San Francisco, CA 94107
415/291-2937
Liz Kaplow, CEO
Evan Jacobs, CFO
Kaplow is an independent, award-winning full service agency dedicated to changing the conversation. For twenty years, Kaplow has helped best-in-class companies tell their stories in the beauty & wellness, fashion, retail, lifestyle, and emerging technologies industries. Kaplow exists for a singular reason: to emotionally connect our clients’ brand stories with consumers who matter. We create programs that integrate a mix of traditional and social media to reach and influence consumers where they live.
Kaplow is creating the communications agency of the future, redefining the PR practice in the changing media landscape. Kaplow’s digital services division, Kdrive, pushes PR beyond the edges of traditional media to build word of mouth buzz, fueling the conversations where they occur. Kstudio, Kaplow’s content creation and distribution center, uses video development to allow a brand to act as its own storyteller. Kaplow controls the media message and uses our stories to help people fall in love with our clients’ brands.
L.C. WILLIAMS & ASSOCIATES
150 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 3800
Chicago, IL 60601
312/565-3900
Fax: 312/565-1770
info@lcwa.com
www.lcwa.com
Kim Blazek Dahlborn, President and CEO
Mary Moster, Senior Vice President
Crisis communications requires speed, sensitivity and strategy.
L.C. Williams & Associates (LCWA) has successfully guided clients — from Fortune 500 companies to non-profit organizations — through some of their worst-case scenarios, including product recalls, lawsuits, Chapter 11 bankruptcies, government regulations, restructuring and reorganization initiatives, employee and labor relations challenges, workplace accidents, natural disasters, environmental crises and more.
A new area of concern for companies is how and when to respond to extremely negative chatter and vitriol expressed by bloggers and those on social media networks. LCWA counsels clients on how to best minimize the impact of such online criticism.
Our trained crisis communications professionals are available 24/7 to help prepare executives and manage communications to targeted audiences and media. We train appropriate spokespeople to handle a variety of crisis situations. We also work with clients to anticipate potential crises — a practice we call “prefense” planning — and prepare them for media interviews.
LINDEN ALScHULER & KAPLAN
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
212/575-4545
Fax: 212/575-0519
llinden@lakpr.com
salschuler@lakpr.com
lkaplan@lakpr.com
www.lakpr.com
Lisa Linden, CEO
Steven Alschuler, President
Lloyd Kaplan, Chairman
When a high profile crisis hits, the future operations of a business, the survival of venerable institutions, and the careers and reputations of leading individuals can all be on the line. Whether sparked by litigation, government investigations, financial issues, scandals involving senior executives, environmental hazards, regulatory or political scrutiny, bankruptcy or a range of other issues, the outcome of the breaking crisis can be influenced significantly by its communications strategy — as it disseminates key messages during the crisis and beyond.
LAK’s approach to each situation melds our experience in legal and business issues, media relations, targeted and internal communications, politics and community relations, and our extensive track record as strategists for companies and organizations in myriad industries. Our clients include public and private companies, national associations, prominent not-for-profit organizations, high-profile individuals, healthcare institutions, law firms and property owners, among many others.
THE MARCUS GROUP, INC.
150 Clove Road, Suite 11
Little Falls, NJ 07424
973/890-9590
www.MarcusGroup.com
Alan Marcus, President & CEO
Denise Gassner Kuhn, Executive Vice President & COO
Tom O’Neil, Executive Vice President
Since its founding more than 40 years ago, The Marcus Group has garnered a reputation as problem solvers. Its skilled crisis managers help clients before, during and after a crisis, including developing communication contingency plans for hospitals, utilities, manufacturing plants and various other companies. The Marcus Group – an award-winning boutique agency specializing in advertising, crisis management and public relations – has solved a host of communication challenges and manages the reputations of some of the most well-respected companies. We help clients with integrated, multimedia plans that leverage key mediums to effectively communicate with their audiences. In a 24/7 news cycle with constant online chatter, The Marcus Group counsels companies on how to utilize digital and social media tools for communication when a crisis strikes.
MARX LAYNE & COMPANY
31420 Northwestern Hwy., #100
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248/855-6777 Ext. 105
mlayne@marxlayne.com
www.marxlayne.com
Michael Layne, Managing Partner
Marx Layne professionals have years of experience handling crisis communications issues. We are frequently retained by leading national law firms to help them guide their clients through the media frenzy that often erupts during a company’s most trying times.
Critical issues from industrial accidents, death on the premises, food-borne illness and environmental pollution, to boycotts, strikes and corporate fraud have all been expertly handled by our senior executives.
During crisis events, Marx Layne crisis counselors are on-call 24/7/365. Our team members are experienced in working with legal advisors, police departments and municipalities while keeping company executives apprised at all times of the crisis situation as it unfolds.
We also train company spokespersons in the development of key speaking points and delivery of messaging. Using the latest media technology, our executives tap into the power of social media to monitor sentiment and provide direction on how to protect and manage the client’s brand. Additionally, we understand how to leverage social media tools as part of an arsenal to respond rapidly, whether the crisis occurs in Detroit or in any other region of the nation.
From privately held entities to Fortune 500 companies, Marx Layne has a twenty-year history of successfully developing proactive, comprehensive crisis communications plans that are in place before, during and after a crisis.
MCS HEALTHCARE PUBLIC RELATIONS
1420 State Hwy. 206, Suite 100
Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
908/234-9900
www.mcspr.com
For more than 25 years, MCS Healthcare Public Relations has prepared our healthcare industry clients to effectively communicate during a crisis. Now with the emergence of social media, events can go global in seconds as amateur reporters begin to shape the story. The timely dissemination of critical information is more vital than ever to securing the trust and confidence of regulatory authorities and all other stakeholders who can influence the future of your product and your company.
MCS has developed corporate and product crisis communication plans to support large pharmaceutical companies, biotechs and other healthcare organizations in managing a range of issues, including product recalls, manufacturing and labor issues, lawsuits, trial data controversies, management changes and corporate restructuring.
Our experts can help ensure that your company follows the new 3 Rs of crisis communication: Rapid Response Required.
For more information go to www.mcspr.com
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Scott Sobel, President of Media& Comms. Strategies, Inc. |
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIES, INC.
1020 19th Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20036
202/449-9801
Cell: 301/793-1480
ssobel@macstrategies.com
www.macstrategies.com
Scott Sobel, President
Media & Communications Strategies counsel takes into consideration the client’s business and reputation during and after a crisis — we are holistic in our approach and provide Critical Relations™ that gets compelling results for clients. We tell the best and most persuasive story for clients in the B2B to legal markets, and many more. Preparing clients through our media and communications training is crucial.
We are a founding member of the Public Relations Boutiques International (prboutiques.com) network, for constant and far-reaching support in the U.S. and internationally. High profile crisis communications is one niche talent, reputation management is our core expertise and client satisfaction is the predictable outcome.
Some client comments about MAC Strategies: “They reversed negative press and reshaped image” — “Handled most sensitive legal issues before Congress and other governmental bodies” — “I'd like to tell you about my friends at MAC Strategies.”
MONTIETH & COMPANY
711 Third Ave., 16th Floor
New York, NY 10017
212/284-7625
Montieth@montiethco.com
www.montiethco.com
Montieth M. Illingworth, President
Arthur P. Garner III, Senior Advisor
Montieth & Company is a special situations communications and management advisory consultancy. The firm’s Issues & Crisis Management and Litigation Communications practices are distinguished in the industry for providing strategic counsel and tactical solutions that help its clients prevail in the face of their most critical challenges.
Montieth & Company has advised on a wide range of matters including the Madoff Fraud, the DOJ’s insider trading investigation, and a diverse variety of legal and regulatory issues and events. The firm has also advised on business disputes, EEOC and product liability cases, class action litigation, and shareholder activism, amongst other types of matters. It works closely with the management and legal teams on integrating communications considerations into the entire course of litigation through to trial and appeal and in engaging with all core constituents.
Montieth & Company maintains relationships with news media, print and electronic, throughout the U.S. and all the world’s major capital markets. The firm is headquartered in New York, NY, and operates globally through affiliates in London, São Paulo, Berlin, Zurich, Hong Kong and Seoul.
MSLGROUP
1133 21st St. NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC, 20036
202/261-2899
Mobile: 214/669-7299
David Chamberlin, SVP, Director of Issues & Crisis Management
MSLGROUP Americas, part of MSLGROUP, Publicis Groupe’s strategic communications, public relations and events network, has more than 800 employees in 19 offices spread across the US, Canada and Latin America. MSLGROUP is one of the world’s top PR and events networks. With more than 3,000 people, its offices span 22 countries and cover virtually every discipline required for clients to engage creatively with their audiences. Adding affiliates and partners into the equation, MSLGROUP’s reach increases to 4,000 employees in 83 countries. The group offers clients strategic advice, insight-guided thinking and big, compelling ideas — followed by thorough execution. www.mslgroup.com
MWW GROUP
One Meadowlands Plaza
East Rutherford, NJ 07073
201/507-9500
Fax: 201/507-0092
www.mww.com
Michael Kempner, Pres. & CEO
Carreen Winters, Executive Vice President, Corporate Comms.
Richard Tauberman, Executive Vice President
When trouble hits, in just hours, or even minutes, reputations can be made or broken. During this critical time, a company can create a meaningful bond with its customers and stakeholders, or sustain damage that is widespread and long-lasting.
Counselors at MWW Group possess an extraordinary range and depth of crisis communications expertise — from contingency planning, crisis response training and on-site support for clients in the midst of incidents, to managing the aftermath of crises and the restoration of trust and reputations. We approach all crisis engagements with a blend of traditional reputation management best practices and digital media savvy. Using MWW Group’s proprietary Crisis Action Protocol, we thoroughly and meticulously prepare for any potential crisis, regardless of the magnitude. Our planning carefully considers the impact on all corporate stakeholders including consumers, employees, shareholders, government officials, NGO’s and community leaders. Consequently, when a crisis hits, we can react immediately with a multi-channel and multi-discipline approach that addresses the diverse needs of each of these critical audiences.
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Richard E. Nicolazzo, Managing Partner of Nicolazzo and Associates. |
NICOLAZZO & ASSOCIATES
101 Federal Street, Suite 710
Boston, MA 02110
617/951-0000
Fax: 617/439-9980
rnicolazzo@nicolazzo.com
www.nicolazzo.com
Richard E. Nicolazzo, Managing Partner
Joe M. Grillo, Partner
Linda Harvey, Client Services Dir.
Richard Adler, Kathleen Buckley, Lisa-Marie Cashman, Elizabeth Hailer, Robert Hughes, Ruth Maron, Craig Orsi, J. Peter Rizzo, Sr. Consultants
Nicolazzo & Associates is a nationally-known, award-winning strategic communications management firm that provides high-level professional counsel and services to a diverse, national, and international client base. A boutique organization founded more than three decades ago by Richard E. Nicolazzo, the firm practices a proprietary counseling model designed to leverage an organization’s core strengths to enhance brand and enterprise value. Services include crisis communications management, strategic planning and communications, investor relations, media relations and training, management consulting, merger and acquisitions communications, corporate restructurings, issues management, litigation support, labor/employee relations, community relations, market research, executive speechwriting, and branding.
The Company provides crisis and strategic communications counsel to major regional, national, and international organizations, including legal, financial/accounting, healthcare, education, retail, insurance, corporate, and other entities that encompass the professional services marketplace. Representative major clients served include: Amica Insurance, Aviva USA, Babson College, Bain Capital, Caturano and Company (now McGladrey), Children’s Hospital-Boston, Deloitte, Donoghue Barrett & Singal P.C., Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP, Ernst & Young, FleetBoston Financial Group, Foley Hoag LLP, Jackson Lewis LLP, Jordan Hospital, KPMG, Lahey Clinic, LibbyHoopes P.C., MetLife Healthcare, Nortek, Inc., Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Ropes & Gray LLP, Saints Medical Center, Sun Life of Canada, Tufts Medical Center, UGL Unicco, UniFirst Corporation, Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP, and Wentworth Institute of Technology.
OGILVY PUBLIC RELATIONS WORLDWIDE
636 11th Avenue
New York, NY 10036
212/880-5280
rachel.ufer@ogilvy.com
www.ogilvypr.com
Rachel Ufer, Vice President, Business Development & External Relations
Ogilvy Public Relations is an integrated communications leader operating in more than 80 markets around the globe. Over the past 30 years, branding — along with building and protecting reputations and our dedication to client service — has been at the heart of everything we do.
We blend proven PR methodologies with cutting edge digital innovations to craft strategic programs that give clients winning and measurable results whether marketing, public education, issues management or crisis communications.
We provide strategic public relations counsel to a variety of clients across six core practices: social marketing, public affairs, healthcare, consumer marketing, corporate and technology. Reaching across all practices and regions, Ogilvy PR has been at the forefront of pioneering ways to tap and realize the power of social media and word of mouth marketing. Through our 360° Digital Influence offering, we identify the digital channels that can most effectively reach our audiences —and then provide roadmaps to engage and influence them.
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Terry Hemeyer, crisis consultant at Pierpont Communications, Inc. |
PIERPONT COMMUNICATIONS
1800 West Loop South, Suite 800
Houston, TX 77027
713/627-2223
www.piercom.com
Phil Morabito, CEO & President
Susan Gramatges, COO
Pierpont Communications is a nationally-recognized full service communications firm, providing expertise in public relations, investor relations, public affairs and marketing to its diverse client base. Pierpont’s impressive history of success in crisis management spans more than two decades, assisting clients of all sizes in the prevention and management of brand-threatening situations.
Successful crisis management begins with prevention and preparation, not reaction. One way Pierpont ensures its clients are prepared for difficult situations is through proactive planning and expert execution. When a crisis breaks, our team of professionals works quickly to minimize reputation damage and maximize control over the situation. However, our work doesn’t stop when the crisis is resolved; one of the most critical elements of crisis response is working to leave behind a strong, positive brand reputation.
With experience managing crises involving the President, Fortune 500 companies and budding entrepreneurs, Pierpont has the unique skills to navigate any communications need.
REVIVE
915 Saint Vincent Avenue
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805/617-2832
Fax: 805/617-2850
www.revivepr.com
learnmore@revivepr.com
209 10th Ave. South,
Suite 404
Nashville, TN 37203
Brandon Edwards, Founder & President
Joanne Thornton, Founder & EVP
Kriste Goad, SVP
Matthew Bassett, SVP
Nicole Mraz, Founder & VP
Jeff Speer, VP
Amy Murphy, VP
When healthcare organizations face a crisis, there’s no time for a learning curve. The complex regulatory and legal environment, combined with a labyrinth of business relationships not found in any other industry, demands deep industry expertise and crisis experience to yield effective strategies. Revive has unparalleled Health Services crisis experience, focused on hospitals, health systems, and provider organizations.
Named “New Agency of the Year” in 2010 by The Holmes Report and “Best Agency to Work For” in 2011, Revive is among the 15 largest health care PR firms in the country. Revive has earned a special expertise in managing “life events” for Health Services contract issues, litigation support, crisis communications, union organizing and strikes, M&A, new service lines, and affiliations. With a specialized focus and expertise, Revive tackles the convergence of healthcare and wellness by working with clients who provide solutions to the issues that face healthcare providers, employers, and consumers alike.
RF | BINDER
950 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
212/994-7600
Direct: 212/994-7536
amy.binder@rfbinder.com
www.rfbinder.com
Twitter: @RFBinder
Amy Binder, CEO
RF|Binder takes a value-added approach to crisis management that comes directly out of our experience in using issues to build brand and corporate reputations. Simply stated, too often, companies approach crisis management as a zero-sum effort at best. They squander valuable reputation-building opportunities; and, by ‘playing not to lose,’ they often do.
Our approach takes a different tack. Our thinking on crisis management draws inspiration from the Chinese, whose symbol for crisis — wei-ji — is actually the combination of two words, “danger” and “opportunity.”
We have assisted companies and institutions facing a range of issues, from corporate and investor crises, to product recalls, to legal issues. We understand that speed and clarity of initial communications are essential to minimizing damage in any crisis situation. We have provided long-term litigation support over many years for the financial services industry that began in the lower state and federal courts and culminated in the U.S. Supreme Court.
RUDER FINN, INC.
301 East 57th Street
New York, NY 10022
212/593-6387
harrisl@ruderfinn.com
www.ruderfinn.com
Louise Harris, President-Global Strategy
Ruder Finn has a dedicated team of crisis and issues experts that can be rapidly deployed on a global basis across the company’s four pillars of Corporate and Public Trust, Health & Wellness, Technology and Innovation and Consumer Lifestyle Brands. Our work has covered a wide range of issues for corporations, individuals and governments around the world from class action lawsuits, product withdrawals and disease outbreaks to IP infringement, hostile takeovers and employee kidnapping. The firm has developed special expertise in crisis and issues preparedness, which includes scenario planning, strategy and crisis simulation training to prepare senior executives to communicate in the face of adversity. The crisis and issues team works closely with Ruder Finn’s award-winning digital practice, RFI Studios, to design and deploy innovative on-line and social media communications strategies and tools to understand and respond to online conversations, and to keep ahead of the rapid spread of information to protect reputation.
SARD VERBINNEN & CO.
630 Third Avenue, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10017
212/687-8080
www.sardverb.com
George Sard, Chairman & CEO
Paul Verbinnen, President
Sard Verbinnen & Co is a leading strategic corporate and financial communications firm with offices in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. We provide communications counsel and services to clients including multinational corporations, smaller public and private companies, investment firms, financial and professional service firms, and high-profile individuals.
The firm’s highly experienced senior professionals provide sound, objective advice and execution support to clients across a broad spectrum of industries. Our work encompasses corporate positioning, media relations and investor relations, transaction communications, litigation support, crisis communications, and other special situations.
We are regularly cited as one of the top M&A and crisis communications advisors in North America.
Founded in 1992, our firm is recognized for delivering candid and thoughtful strategic advice, excellent written product and tactical execution, and tireless advocacy on behalf of our clients.
Our senior professionals are actively engaged in both counsel and implementation. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise, unparalleled relationships and credibility with the media, and deep understanding of the investment community drive the firm’s ability to help our clients manage complex situations and communicate to multiple constituencies successfully.
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The Schneider Associates Leadership Team (left to right): EVP/Partner Julie Hall, President Joan Schneider, COO/Partner Phil Pennellatore. |
SCHNEIDER ASSOCIATES
Member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group
2 Oliver Street, Suite 901
Boston, MA 02109
617/536-3300
Fax: 617/536-3180
launch@schneiderpr.com
www.schneiderpr.com
Joan Schneider, President & Creative Director
Phil Pennellatore, Chief Operating Officer/Partner
Julie Hall, Executive Vice President /Partner
A staple of Schneider Associates’ 31-year history is our ability to counsel companies and individuals during a crisis situation. While we hope you never face one, we want you to know we stand ready when a major issue threatens your company’s growth or reputation. SA has been called in to handle everything from white collar crime, product recalls, fires, accidental on-the-job deaths, securities fraud, sexual harassment, legal issues and other business situations requiring a prompt response. Through the years, we have been successful in averting crises through preparation and creating solid, actionable plans before a crisis occurs. Schneider Associates is a full-service public relations and integrated marketing firm specializing in Launch Public Relations®, a proprietary method of launching products, services, companies and communities. Learn more at www.schneiderpr.com.
SINGER ASSOCIATES INC.
47 Kearny St., 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94108
Singer@SingerSF.com
www.SingerSF.Com
Sam Singer, President
One of the nation’s leading corporate reputation and crisis communications strategists, Singer Associates handles regional, national and international crises and reputation management issues.
Singer was voted to the 50 Most Powerful People in San Francisco List by San Francisco’s 7x7 magazine, which wrote: “Singer’s nickname — ‘The Fixer’ — says it all. If your reputation, fortune or political future is at stake, he’s the man you call to convince the public, the politicians or the judge that you’re in the right.”
The agency handles bankruptcies, litigation, indictments, legal matters, food safety, environmental, healthcare, construction, land development, union, corporate campaigns, and provides services to high-profile corporate, entertainment personalities and athletes.
The San Francisco Chronicle wrote: “For Singer, kicking up some dust and taking some flak are just part of what goes with the territory as one of the — if not the — premier mouthpieces and spin doctors for companies doing business.”
SLOANE & COMPANY
7 Times Square, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10036
212/486-9500
Fax: 212/486-9094
www.sloanepr.com
Elliot Sloane, CEO
Sloane & Company is an industry-leading strategic communications firm specializing in corporate and financial public relations, investor relations, transaction support, public affairs, crisis and litigation support. Differentiating us from the crowd, the key to the firm’s success is bringing a fluid and experienced capital markets orientation to all our assignments.
Over the past ten years, the firm has earned a reputation for providing strategic counsel to “C” level executives of Fortune 500 public companies, as well as large and mid-sized private businesses and associations. Our clients include leading consumer products, pharmaceutical, technology and financial companies.
Sloane & Company provides expertise to clients across a wide range of industries in crafting their communications strategies. The firm’s diverse portfolio inspires our professionals to think outside of the traditional bounds to reach clients’ key constituencies including customers, employees, investors, global and local opinion leaders, industry experts and political decision makers. Sloane’s team recognizes the dynamic relationships between these crucial audiences and knows how to best develop and generate value from them.
Our professionals understand and recognize the impact that media coverage has on a client’s valuation and reputation, particularly as it relates to key issues in national, state and local governments. Sloane & Company’s public relations programs are effective because they begin with a complete understanding of each client’s business fundamentals and future goals. Every decision is tied to these strategic objectives, helping our clients shape their core positioning in the marketplace while aggressively and creatively pushing that positioning through global, national and regional media outlets.
SOLOMON MCCOWN & COMPANY
177 Milk Street, Suite 610
Boston, MA 02109
617/695-9555
Direct: 617/933-5012
Fax: 617/695-9505
amccown@solomonmccown.com
www.solomonmccown.com
Twitter: @CrisisBostonPR
Helene Solomon, CEO
E. Ashley McCown, President
Based in Boston, Solomon McCown & Company provides strategic communications and crisis management services to mission-focused businesses and organizations. We leverage all of our assets — our strategic thinking, considerable experience, successful alliance building and commitment to results — to help clients achieve the recognition, definition and protection they need to meet their goals. We believe that at the core of advancing an organization’s mission is protecting it. Crisis management is a defining strength of our organization. Our nationally-recognized senior team of crisis managers comes from journalism and politics. We have developed crisis plans for corporations, institutions, and mission-focused organizations, and have played a key role in many sensitive and complex issues including those involving public agencies and non-profits, public health issues, labor negotiations and strikes, bankruptcies and business failures, accusations of sexual harassment and abuse, state and federal investigations, and workplace violence. We excel at working with in-house and outside legal counsel and corporate communications teams to devise communications strategies to dovetail with the legal strategy.
TIERNEY
200 South Broad Street, 9th Flr.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215/790-4100
Fax: 215/790-4410
www.tierneyagency.com
www.hellotierney.com
At Tierney, we believe in the art of conversation. But given this is a magazine, this conversation will be a bit one-sided. First, a few words about us: We are a full-service agency with skills in crisis and issues management, public relations, advertising, interactive and media. We work with clients that are large and small, public and private to help create and shape their dialogue with consumers across all channels.
Building your image and increasing sales is only part of the story. What happens when a crisis hits? Well, you can’t just stick your head in the sand. You have to participate in the conversation, direct the conversation and sometimes even play a role in ending it. Because sometimes keeping you out of the press is maybe more important than getting you in it. Learn more and join the conversation at www.hellotierney.com
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The crisis communications team at The Vandiver Group, Inc. includes (L to R): Sr. Account Executive, Shelley Lester; Account Executive, Claire Eckelkamp; Director, Andy Likes and President, Donna Vandiver. |
THE VANDIVER GROUP, INC.
510 Maryville Centre Dr., Ste. 320
St. Louis, MO 63141
314/991-4641
Fax: 314/991-4651
www.vandivergroup.com
vandivergroup.com/threat_assessment
TVG@vandivergroup.com
Twitter: @VandiverGroup
The Vandiver Group, Inc. (TVG) helps our clients protect their reputation and promote their brand. Through our offices, and our Pinnacle Worldwide offices and affiliates, we can assist clients on a global basis.
At some point, every organization faces a crisis. A fire, recall, or accident can put your business squarely in the public and media spotlight.
The Vandiver Group Inc.’s Threat Assessment is a quick and easy tool to determine your organization’s threat level. Developed by our crisis communications team, this free assessment asks a few short questions to help determine your “at risk” level. The assessment covers everything from your crisis communications plan to how well prepared your leaders and spokespeople are. Have they been media trained? Do they have their key messages prepared and are they ready to deliver them in the most appropriate way?
The assessment calculates your level of risk and suggests ways to lower your risk. It can save you time and money. During a crisis, TVG works quickly to help you organize your messages, relay accurate information to the media, and uncover potential hazards before they can create problems for you, your employees or your clients.
WALEK & ASSOCIATES
317 Madison Avenue, Suite 2300
New York, NY 10017
212/889-4113
Fax: 212/889-7174
www.walek.com
1426 Pearl Street, Suite 210
Boulder, CO 80304
720/470-3653
Fax: 212/889-7174
31/F, Entertainment Building
30 Queen’s Road
Central, Hong Kong
852/2273-5102
Fax: 852/3103-1011
Thomas Walek, President
Armel Leslie and Mary Beth Kissane, Principals
Walek & Associates is a global, independent financial and corporate public relations firm specializing in ongoing and crisis communications. With offices in New York, Hong Kong, and Boulder, Walek manages media and investor relations for clients in capital markets, traditional and alternative asset management, professional and financial technology, and public companies. Whether it is litigation, restructuring, activist shareholder support, earnings or performance shortfalls, management succession, or regulatory and enforcement actions, Walek manages crisis situations with an eye toward preserving and, ultimately, strengthening client brand and franchise. In 2011, the Walek global crisis team advised clients in some of the biggest breaking news stories as well as clients rebuilding brand and market position. In crisis communications, relationships matter.
WEBER SHANDWICK
919 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
212/445-8000
www.webershandwick.com
Micho Spring, Chair, Global Corporate practice and President, New England
617/520-7075
mspring@webershandwick.com
Peter Duda, Executive VP
212/445-8213
pduda@webershandwick.com
Lance Morgan, Chief Comms. Strategist
202/585-2785
lmorgan@webershandwick.com
Weber Shandwick helps clients promote, preserve and protect reputation and brand.
Our global crisis practice encompasses a team of senior professionals who possess an unparalleled set of experiences in the media, government, law and corporate management. Working in partnership with our clients, we understand that preserving corporate and brand reputations are the highest priorities. We ensure that all constituencies that have a stake in the outcome are addressed, and are expert in managing traditional as well as social and digital media. As such, Weber Shandwick offers the full cycle of issues and crisis management.
Our crisis practice has provided counsel to many Fortune 500 companies and we meet their needs with expertise and insight. We have successfully managed crises in a wide number of areas including environmental and safety issues, litigation, activist campaigns, political pressure at the local, regional and state level, regulatory actions, operational crises, and negative press. We have managed acts of terrorism, environmental disasters and product recalls, proxy battles, federal investigations, investigative media reports and board disputes.
In addition to strategic counsel, Weber Shandwick offers tools and training to prepare clients for a potential crisis. FireBell, our proprietary social crisis simulator, creates an authentic, real-time experience of being under attack on social media channels. Additionally, Digital Defense, a proactive approach to protect a company’s reputation online and offline, also provides tools to minimize damage and to promote reputational recovery.
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Ann Keaton, Graduate Program Enrollment Adviser at West Virginia University’s Integrated Marketing Communications online graduate program. |
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMS. PROGRAM
150 Clay Street, P.O. Box 6529
Morgantown, WV 26506
304/293-5685
Ann.Keaton@mail.wvu.edu
www.imc.wvu.edu
Ann Keaton, IMC, Graduate Program Enrollment Adviser
In today’s saturated media marketplace it is harder than ever to get the attention of distracted key audiences. Learn how to mix today’s emerging trends (like social media and mobile marketing) with traditional media to form an integrated marketing strategy, focus your message and break through the clutter. Consider a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC). West Virginia University’s online IMC program will give you the practical skills needed to build, implement and measure integrated communication programs in today’s dynamic digital environment — and it can be completed from anywhere in the world. Pick from courses such as mobile marketing, social media marketing, measurement and analysis, and digital storytelling. Don’t want to pursue a full master’s degree or already have an advanced degree? Enroll in our five-course graduate certificate program and pick and choose the courses you need to stay current with the latest trends. Learn more at http://imc.wvu.edu.
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The award-winning team at Zeppos & Associates, Inc., has helped companies across the country successfully communicate in crisis situations. |
ZEPPOS & ASSOCS., INC.
400 East Mason Street, Suite 200
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414/276-6237
Fax: 414/276-2322
www.zeppos.com
Award-winning and peer-ranked as Wisconsin’s No. 1 crisis communications firm, Zeppos & Associates has helped companies throughout the country effectively communicate about a variety of crisis situations, including construction and industrial accidents, legal threats, food recalls, environmental incidents and protests. The firm’s seasoned experts — many of them former reporters — collaborate with attorneys, operations staff and C-level executives to develop and implement sound crisis communication strategy. Zeppos & Associates also helps clients before a crisis to design communications plans and train staff to work with mainstream media, social media and other key publics should the unexpected occur. |
