Estilo Communications

Crisis Communication: Minimizing the Risk of a PR Meltdown

By: Philip Jones, Public Relations Coordinator

Being prepared for an unexpected crisis can help you minimize or prevent damage to your hard earned reputation.

While you cannot always foresee what crisis you will face (and how they might affect your image,) there are many steps you can take to react as effectively as possible and contain the damage. As with most emergency situations, preparation is the key. Here are some suggestions on how to have a crisis communications plan in place:

• Designate a crisis communication manager: This person will be the point of contact with the media and keep the flow of information accurate and under control.
• Be transparent: Be forthright with the media, and provide the information that is pertinent. It’s essential to be out ahead of the story, lest it grow into something far worse than it what it began as.
• Minimize the impact: The less you are caught of guard, and the more up front you are with the media, the less likely there will be prolonged negative coverage.
• Know your contacts: Having appropriate contacts within in the media and being able to get the right information to them quickly will help you keep some handles on the story.
• Anticipate problems: The more you can predict and prepare for potential problems, the less you have to react to when the pressure is on and time is of the essence. Preparation will allow you to maintain poise and confidence in a tense situation.

The preparation and anticipation of crisis communication can help you maintain your hard fought image in the face of adversity. These suggestions will help you get started, but if you would like help developing a complete crisis communication plan, feel free to contact Marion at marion@estilopr.com or call her at 512.477.1018.

Local Elections Provide Austin Voices

By Marion Sanchez

It’s hard to believe that we are back on the campaign wagon with Austin City Council elections on May 10, 2008. Elections are an exciting time for me. Growing up in Venezuela, we took our campaigns very seriously -with a twist of fun and danger.

I remember driving to downtown Caracas and meeting other supporters of our party making long lines of cars with flags, maracas, and confetti, just to find the opposition party at the end of the road and creating the same chaos only possible in the unplanned urban sprawl of a South American metropolis. Of course music, dancing and name calling was part of the festivity; but we always needed to be careful as the celebrations could become discussions and discussions could end in heated fist-fights.

I come from a family that has always been involved and proud to participate in politics. When my daughter, Vanessa turned 18 this year, having her registered to vote was the first item on our agenda.

Austin also has a very distinct and fun flavor to its celebration of politics, choice, and elections. We host coffees with the candidates, open forums and networking opportunities. One big positive difference between the politics in Caracas and Austin is that in Austin, and probably all over the United States, we the people have many opportunities to meet the candidates up close and personal. This distinction provides us the opportunity to ask specific questions, get a feel of the candidates and make up our own mind based on the information received.

With that in mind I encourage all of you to take the time to learn about the issues, participate in the process and bring others along with you to vote. Politics is a subject that can be close to your heart or as far away as your worst enemy. But in the end, your vote counts. Only when you take action can you make a change.

Here is an easy way to get started: the following is the list of the candidates running for City Council on May 10, 2008:

Place 1

· Lee Leffingwell (incumbent)

· Allen Demling

· Jason Meeker

Place 3

· Jennifer Kim (incumbent)

· Randi Shade

· Ken Weiss

· Trevor Titman

Place 4

Seeking to replace the seat being vacated by Mayor Pro Tem Betty Dunkerley:

· Robin Cravey

· Cid Galindo

· Laura Morrison

· Sam Osemene

For more information logon to http://austin.about.com/od/politics/tp/Austin_City_Council_Race.htm