Special Blog Series: Communicating in Crisis – Crisis Messaging

Ryan Deal
Special Blog Series: Communicating in Crisis - Crisis Messaging
Predetermined crisis messaging should serve to begin your response to a crisis. Still, the messaging may require fine-tuning to be applicable to the situation confronting your organization. A message, or key message, is a thought that supports what you are saying and reinforces your point. A key message ultimately makes it clear what you’re asking people to do, how you... Read More

Special Blog Series: Communicating in Crisis – Crisis Resources and Templates

Ryan Deal
Special Blog Series: Communicating in Crisis - Crisis Resources and Templates
The time before a crisis, when your organization is conducting business as usual, should be used to build and test plans, foster increased communication within the organization, and reduce or eliminate risks that could lead to trouble - a great time to build crisis resources and templates. Building traditional and social media communications channels takes months or years of work and engagement... Read More

A PR Win: How Delta Air Lines Answered the Disruptive Storms

Ryan Deal
A PR Win: How Delta Air Lines Answered the Disruptive Storms
I've a long held affinity for Delta Air Lines. Maybe because Delta is Atlanta's hometown airline. Maybe because I fly Delta regularly. Or, quite possibly, because Delta always gets it right... or, in this case, makes it right. When storms crippled Delta's operations across the U.S. last week, leaving planes and flight crews out of position, Delta's ground-stop nightmare soon became... Read More

Top 6 Signs Your PR Firm is Failing You

Ryan Deal
Top 6 Signs Your PR Firm is Failing You
I’ve been around the ‘PR block.’ I’ve worked in a communications and public relations capacity in a variety of industries, building tremendous wealth and results: television, hi-tech, environmental, state and federal governments. With service from a junior to a SVP, I’ve hired a number of PR firms, fired a few more, worked at a couple, and operate one with great success.... Read More

Leaving Journalism: 5 Steps to Transition to a New Career

Ryan Deal
Leaving Journalism: 5 Steps to Transition to a New Career
Considering leaving journalism? I have some thoughts. It’s one of the most iconic slogans of our time – “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” First launched in 1972 by the UNCF to raise scholarship funds for African American students, it’s a mantra that’s always remained with me in my ever-present, insatiable quest to know more. So, of course, I... Read More

Three Reasons Public Relations Agencies Charge Retainer Hours

Ryan Deal
Fees for pubic relations services just might be the most examined – and complained about – part of a PR professional services agreement, especially when considering retainer hours. This reality is more prevalent in AOR, or Agency of Record, agreements. While we PR practitioners always expect to be paid, we must not forget our clients expect to know what they’re... Read More

3 Questions That Determine If You Need Crisis Communication Help

Ryan Deal
For businesses or organizations believing they're in crisis communication mode, there are just two outcomes – success or failure. And the failures seem to take on a life of their own, supported by insatiable conversation, usually involving all the wrong people. We’ve seen these communications failures time and time again: Sports franchises. Investment firms. Auto, food and CPG manufacturers. Restaurant chains. Knowing... Read More