Here at CommCore Consulting, we’d always wondered how the reporters who typically put our clients through the ringer on television, in print and on social media would fare with a media crisis of their own.
So on a rainy day in November, we sat down with New York Times reporters to administer the same tests we put our clients through.
Why create a P.R. crisis on purpose? The NYT wanted to experience CommCore’s new breed of crisis simulations, including our proprietary “Pressure Test.” Today’s corporate crises unfold more quickly than ever, with companies suddenly finding themselves engulfed in criticism and on the defensive. “As these moments ricochet around the web like never before, companies are realizing they don’t have the luxury of calmly sitting back, assessing the situation and then deciding on a solution,” says Sapna Maheshwari, the Times reporter who partook in our simulation alongside her editor Connor Ennis. “They need to be ready before it happens.”
Given the speed and cacophony of today’s environment, tossing participants into “a virtual pressure cooker of online outrage and escalating press attention” is a crucial exercise. The Times reported that crisis simulations are nothing new, but ours was exemplary of a “newer breed.” The article underscored the importance of having a crisis communication plan in place, especially in today’s era of digital communications and social media, and in looking to top crisis communications firms like CommCore for best practices.
“The NYT is Going Under!”
The simulation we ran for the Times blended fact and fiction to make their crisis communication scenarios feel realistic, including articles, social media posts, phone calls from angry constituents and pre-recorded videos. “The setup is a bit like ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ for corporate America, where the adventure is in fact a social-media-driven nightmare,” reports the Times. Read the full New York Times article here.
Crisis Communication Training Courses
You can’t prevent crisis from happening, but you can shorten the duration and lessen the impact by doing better preparation. Our clients typically involve a variety of departments in our crisis communication training courses, such as legal, information technology and investor relations.
As a Crisis Communications consulting firm, we counsel on proactive media interviews as well as sensitive issues in responding to a crisis. Our proprietary PressureTest™ Simulation Training
combines instruction on the basics with on-camera exercises, media training videos, advanced instruction and critique. Whether you’re in the middle of a crisis, see trouble coming, or want to be prepared, CommCore enables your team to understand the process better, so you can respond, contain and control any potential fallout from a media crisis.
Learn More About Our Crisis Communications Services
- NYT Reporters Get Pressure Tested
- Crisis Communications Case Study: CommCore Advises J&J During Tylenol Tampering Crisis
- Industry Focus: Discover CommCore’s Expertise in Your Vertical
To schedule a PressureTest™ Crisis Communications Training Demo please contact our firm today.