1st Edition

The Four Stages of Highly Effective Crisis Management How to Manage the Media in the Digital Age

By Jane Jordan Copyright 2011
    320 Pages 22 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    From the Japanese tsunami and the Egyptian revolution to the Haitian earthquake and the Australian floods, social media has proven its power to unite, coalesce, support, champion, and save lives. Presenting cutting-edge media communication solutions, The Four Stages of Highly Effective Crisis Management explains how to choose the appropriate language and media outlet to properly convey your message during and after a crisis.

    Unveiling the secrets of how to manage the media in a crisis, the book examines how rapidly evolving social media and Web 2.0 technologies have changed the crisis management landscape. It illustrates the four distinct stages of media reporting during a crisis and details the information that must be provided. The author provides readers with a wealth of helpful tips and tools—including guidelines, checklists, and case studies that illustrate best practices in crisis media management. Divided into five sections, the book:

    • Examines how the kingdom of news has changed and considers the new hybrid model that is emerging
    • Identifies the four distinct stages in which both old and new media report a crisis
    • Addresses the use of spokespeople according to the four stages, as well as when to use the chief executive officer
    • Discusses media interviews, including how to handle news conferences, bloggers, and the importance of media training
    • Considers the communication aspects of crisis management—including how to harness the power of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Digg, Wikipedia, Flickr, and social media releases

    The book’s resource-rich appendices include a checklist for briefing a spokesperson, sample media release, a step-by-step flowchart for creating a crisis communication plan, and social media policy guidelines. Complete with a detailed guide on what tools to use and when to use them, this book provides the techniques and understanding required to communicate effectively and avoid any potential bad press and embarrassment that could result from information mismanagement.

    Jane Jordan-Meier was interviewed about leadership in a crisis and the stages of a crisis in the wake of the Murdoch phone-hacking scandal. She also discusses crisis management planning in The Sydney Morning Herald and in Daily Ovation. She was interviewed in August 2011 by Globe and Mail.

    Discover more about the book, including a video of the author explaining how to turn media questions into gold and visit smallbusinessadvocate.com for a series of recent interviews.

    Jane Jordan-Meier appeared in a video interview with Crisis Manager Melissa Agnes on July 3, 2012.

    Section I Media, Crisis, and New Reporting Tools
    What Is a Crisis?
    Unfolding Crisis
    Crisis is triggered
    A Crisis Stops the Show
    Case in Point: Virginia Tech
    The Role of Media in a Crisis
    Social, Interactive, and Everywhere All the Time
    Today’s News from Multiple Platforms
    Old Media Play a Role in the Social Media Revolution: Social or Leave
    Power to the People: The Rise of Hyperlocal News
    Mainstream Media Are Still a Factor
    Social Media’s Role in Crisis
    Media Ethics? What Drives Traditional Media Behavior
    Twitter: Is It a Fad or the "8 Bazillion Pound Gorilla"?
    Overview
    Background
    Pointless Babble: A Critic’s Take
    Saving Lives, Saving Reputations
    Breaking News: Twitter and the Media
    The Power of 140 Characters
    Rules of Engagement
    Section I Summary
    Section II Stages of a Crisis
    Stage One—Fact-Finding Stage
    Stage One Characteristics
    Beware the ST Factor; Remember the Context
    Remember the Context
    Stage Two—The Unfolding Drama
    Stage Two Characteristics
    Stage Three—Finger-Pointing Stage = Blame Game
    Stage Three Characteristics
    Stage Four—Resolution and Fallout
    Stage Four Characteristics
    Section II Summary
    Section III Spokespeople—Speed Matters
    and Perception Is Everything
    Who?
    Golden rules
    Communication style
    To Chief Executive Officer or Not?
    To CEO or Not?
    CEO s and Social Media
    Spokespeople and Social Media
    Head and Heart
    Role of the Frontline
    Guidelines Please!
    Training Please!
    Summary
    Policy Guidelines for Social Media
    Can you Facebook at work? Policy first defense against risk
    Guide—don’t stop—social media use
    Section summary
    Section IV Media Interviews—Rules of
    Engagement in a Crisis
    Understanding Journalists’ Questions
    Techniques to Get Your Message Across
    Bridging Technique
    When You Do Not Know the Answer
    Getting behind the Question
    Question the Questioner
    Give-and-Take in an Interview
    Dealing with Difficult Questions
    Q = Hypothetical
    Q = Loaded
    Q = Leading
    Q = Either/Or
    Q = Closed
    Q = Multiple
    Q = Guarantee
    Q = Question from Hell
    Handling Silence
    Handling Interruptions
    Never Repeat the Poison; Avoid Negative Language
    How the New Media Are Changing the Rules for Interviews
    Crowdsourcing
    Limiting Direct Access to Mainstream Media
    E-mail and Blogs
    Lights, Camera, Action—The Interview
    Before the Interview
    Know Your Audience
    Know Your Key Message
    Practice Your Message
    Know Your Media
    Know Your Dress
    During the interview
    After the interview
    Television interviews
    Dress for the Part
    Face-to-Face Interviews
    Animation and Gestures
    Sound Good
    Speak in Stand-Alone, Whole Sentences
    Phone Interviews
    Radio Interviews
    Print Interviews
    E-mail and Twitter Interviews
    Dealing with Bloggers
    News Conference
    Managing a News Conference
    Media Training
    Who Should Be Media Trained?
    Stage One
    Stage Two
    Stage Three
    Stage Four
    Group or Individual Training?
    How Often, How Much?
    Section IV Summary
    Section V Communication—Rules and Tools
    Why Communicate in a Crisis?
    Key questions
    What to Communicate?
    Standby statement
    To Apologize or Not—The Role of the Apology in a Crisis
    Language in a Crisis—Fall in Love with
    We; No Toxic Language,
    Please
    Positive Language, Please!
    How to Get Your Message Across
    Where? New Media Tools
    Overview
    Web Messages: Content Brutal and to the Point
    Twitter
    Media Relations
    Protect Your Brand
    Hash Tags (#)
    Facebook
    Facebook Dark Groups
    Facebook: The Future
    Univision: An Alternative to Facebook—Useful for the U.S. Army
    Video (Including YouTube)
    Blogging
    Blogs Are a Must-Have in Your Crisis Media Toolkit
    LinkedIn
    Digg
    Flickr
    Wikipedia
    Social Media Release
    Social Media Newsroom
    Social Media War Room
    What Tool to Choose When?
    Integrate Social Media into Planning
    Monitoring: Your Best Defense in a Crisis
    Section V Summary
    Appendix A: Guidelines for Briefing Spokespeople
    Appendix B: Sample Media Contact Information Log
    Appendix C: Sample News Release
    Appendix D
    Appendix E: Useful Resources
    Appendix F: Social Media Policy Resources
    Appendix G: Social Media Resources for Crisis Communicators
    Appendix H: Things You Should Not Share on Social Media
    Appendix I: Wordpress Statement
    Appendix J: Social Media Embracing the Opportunities, Averting the Risks
    Index

    Biography

    A former journalist, Jane Jordan-Meier has been at the forefront of media training for 15 years, developing unique and powerful methodologies in crisis media management. From her base in the United States, she works with corporations, government departments, and non-profit agencies in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. She is recognized as one of the world’s top media and crisis management experts.

    Throughout her career, Jane has worked at the highest level of strategic planning and communication, including the Australian bi-centennial celebrations and the Sydney Olympic Games. Her clients range from experienced CEOs of global corporations to those doing their first media interviews. She works with organizations in crisis as well as those wanting to raise their profile with positive media interviews. Many of her programs and training have won awards from her peers in the public relations and communication professions.

    In the 1990s, recognizing the need for executives to be highly skilled in handling the media, Jane co-established Media Skills, a media training consultancy. With former journalist Susan Templeman, she created a suite of methods for developing and delivering strategic media messages. This led to the development of a unique approach to managing crisis communication. The methodology has been licensed and used by a network of trainers around the globe.

    Jane is a frequent guest speaker on crisis communication and media management at conferences in Australia, New Zealand, and North America. A licensed and accredited media trainer and coach, she holds a master’s degree in communication management. She has also taught communication, at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels in Australia’s top communication schools, as well as several professional development courses in Australia, New Zealand, and North America.

    "Jane Jordan-Meier’s insights into crisis communication are based on her experiences over many years at the coalface, guiding CEOs and organizations through the toughest of times. Her book is a must-read for any communication professional seeking an understanding of the power of social media and how the media report a crisis."
    —Robyn Sefiani, Managing Director, Sefiani Communications Group, Australia

    "… in the highly interactive and networked world we live in, all communication professionals need to understand how to effectively work with the media during and after crises. This book is an essential resource for doing so. Written by a highly experienced media relations consultant and savvy social media expert, this book provides practical, accessible advice and easy-to-use and apply tools and guides—all brought to life through real-world case studies."
    —Michaela Hayes, Past President, San Francisco Chapter, International Association of Business Communicators

    "As a full-time media and crisis trainer, I read about a dozen new books on public relations each year. Few produce the number of true "a ha" moments that Jane Jordan-Meier’s The Four Stages of Highly Effective Crisis Management did. ... the book is packed with hidden gems that even the most seasoned public relations professionals can learn from. ... it’s well worth the investment. I highly recommend it."
    —Brad Phillips, Author, Mr. Media Training Blog

    "The Four Stages of Highly Effective Crisis Management: How to Manage the Media in the Digital Age is a full-blown training course in a book. Author Jane Jordan-Meier has used her vast experience in the media, PR and media-management to craft a resource that will be invaluable to all who face, or may have to face, a crisis. … I've no doubt that every good communication professional will read and gain from this book. So should every good CEO. For as Jordan-Meier points out, the "credibility factor for CEOs (2010 Edelman Trust Barometer) was 40%" only slightly above politicians at 35%, so surely a ready-made market. Highly recommended."
    —Bob Selden, What To Do When You Become The Boss: How New Managers Become Successful Managers

    "This book ticks all the boxes - it's well grounded in crisis communication theory, it's written with a clear understanding of adult learning, and it's incredibly practical and actionable, making it an easy book to get a lot of actionable stuff out of to help you be better prepared for your next crisis - before it comes. … I was impressed!"
    —Public Affairs Manager, Pharmaceutical Industry

    "This book is a must read for owners, officers, managers and key employees of any public or private business. Emergencies happen. Unplanned consequences of natural or man-made disasters can bring a business to its knees. I have been there. This book provides an outstanding, comprehensive plan that will keep you and your business focused on what is important during any emergency."
    —Gloria E. Collins, Business Executive, California

    "I use this excellent book in my course called 'Media in the Business World,' a course designed for graduate students who pursue careers as business leaders. In the course, the students study the rules of the media game as seen from three perspectives: the media professionals, the business world and the academia.

    "With regards to the perspective of the business world, The Four Stages of Highly Effective Crisis Management is the most up-dated and substantiated book on the market. Some reasons:

    1. The author understands how the social media work and how important they are for information sharing. She keeps reminding the readers that the old rules of the game from the time of the "old media" are still valuable, but that companies need to consider social media just as important. She also describes the difference – the old media might set the agenda and are driven by concern for democracy, while the new media are fast and autonomous.
    2. The author has a background from professional journalism as well as a background from media training with companies. One of the values of the book is that it is based on an understanding of professional journalism. Here are no superficial suggestions on how to "spin", but quite the contrary with an emphasis on key concepts like trustworthy, transparent, timely, accessible, responsible, humility, respect, experience, passion; and lots of tools for business leaders who will not only survive but strive to become master players in the game. As an example the author writes about the investigative reporters asking critical questions: "questions are gifts, but not all are attractive. And they need to be grasped with both hands – in this case, with one’s mouth!" The message is that since you cannot change the rules of the game; play them to your advantage.
    3. The book contains many case studies, and these are of major crisis in the last 10 years – again updated information about the lessons that other companies learned the hard way.

    "Having been a professional journalist and journalism teacher for 35 years myself, I appreciate that Jane Jordan-Meier explains the rules of the game to business people. To some extent, it makes life easier for journalists when all the players know the rules, even though it may also make it harder for journalists to get the "good story." However, if journalists’ feelings about media training might be mixed, my business students have everything to gain from reading the book."
    —Kirsten Mogensen, Associate Professor, Roskilde University

    "I would highly recommend reading the book and passing it on. It may well start the most important conversation your organization will have in 2012."
    Chris Syme, Strategic Communications Expert, Principal of CKSyme.org in Bozeman, Montana

    "The book addresses all aspects of planning for and managing the media in a crisis situation … [and] provides proven methods and tips for managing the information flow, including harnessing the power of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Wikipedia, and other social media releases. Jordan-Meier brings to bear her unique experience in media training and crisis communication principles. A worthwhile resource for anyone responsible for dealing with the media in a crisis situation. 4 stars."
    —ASIS International

    "One of the best and the most thorough books on crisis management in the digital age that I have ever read … a must-read."
    —Crisis Manager Melissa Agnes

    "Jordan-Meier brings to bear her unique experience in media training and crisis communication principles. The case studies help to illuminate the issues. This book reflects best thinking and current practices in crisis media management. It would be a worthwhile resource for anyone responsible for dealing with the media in a crisis situation."
    —David P. Sayer, in Security Management