SPECIALIST ADVICE
IMPACT, NOT NOISE
Crisis comms...
When a serious issue is unfolding, you need experienced communications advice quickly.
Polymedia provides senior PR and communications support for organisations facing a live or emerging crisis – helping establish the facts, agree clear messages and co-ordinate communications as the situation develops.
When to call a crisis PR agency?
When an issue could attract media attention, affect stakeholder confidence or cause significant reputational damage, getting specialist advice early can make a critical difference.
Potential situations might include a product recall, data breach, serious employee issue, regulatory investigation, operational incident or sudden public scrutiny. The facts may still be developing and you may not yet know whether an issue will become a wider crisis. That is often precisely when an experienced crisis communications agency can be most useful.
Our role in PR crisis management is to focus on the communications dimension of the wider response. We help you understand what is known, what remains uncertain, who needs to be informed and what should be communicated – while recognising that operational, legal and other specialist teams will have their own roles to play.
Early advice can also help avoid rushed statements, inconsistent messages or unnecessary speculation while the situation is still developing.
Our crisis management services
Our first priority is to understand what has happened. We assess the available facts, identify what is still unknown, consider the audiences most affected and assess the potential media and reputational risks.
From there, our crisis communications services can include:
- Assessing the situation and immediate communications risks
- Developing clear, agreed messages and reactive statements
- Responding to media enquiries
- Managing stakeholder communications
- Advising on social media communications and emerging issues
- Supporting and briefing spokespeople
- Monitoring media and wider public reaction
- Reviewing and adapting communications as new information emerges
The aim is to help your organisation communicate accurately and consistently while the situation evolves. That means resisting the temptation to fill gaps in the facts, keeping messages aligned across different audiences and making sure everyone involved understands what has been agreed.
Crisis management PR is rarely about producing one statement and considering the job done. An issue can develop quickly, bringing new questions, audiences and challenges. Our advice evolves with it.
GET IN TOUCH
Working with your team as the crisis develops
We work alongside senior management, internal communications and legal teams where appropriate, providing specialist communications advice as part of the broader response.
That can mean helping agree the central messages, advising on the order and timing of communications, preparing spokespeople for questions or assessing how the media and other audiences are reacting.
As the facts change, so may the communications approach. We monitor developments and help your team adapt without losing consistency or credibility.
Where required, our support can continue beyond the immediate incident, helping manage communications through the later stages of an issue and into recovery.
If you need help preparing for a future crisis rather than responding to a current one, see our crisis planning service. That page covers preparation, plans and rehearsal; this service is focused on responding when an issue is live.
CONTACT US
Polymedia recently supported us with a crisis PR strategy, and their experience, composure and expertise were invaluable. In high-pressure situations, a calm and measured approach was exactly what we needed! The team’s depth of knowledge and strategic thinking turned a challenging moment into a well-managed response.
Totsco
Why choose Polymedia for crisis management?
Crisis communications demands senior judgement. Our crisis response will typically involve at least two directors, providing senior input and allowing decisions and advice to be considered quickly.
Our experienced public relations specialists, including former journalists and news specialists, understand how stories develop, the questions journalists are likely to ask and how employees, customers, investors and other stakeholders may respond to an unfolding situation.
That experience helps us see an issue from different perspectives and give practical advice when there is little time for lengthy deliberation.
We work with your existing team, understand the sensitivities of your organisation and focus on what needs to happen next.
Sector Expertise
Some specialist sectors
WORK WITH US
FAQs
What does a crisis management agency do?
A crisis management agency provides specialist PR and communications advice when an organisation is facing a significant or potentially reputationally damaging issue. This can include assessing communications risks, developing messages, handling media enquiries, supporting spokespeople, advising on stakeholder communications and monitoring how an issue develops.
How quickly can you respond to a crisis?
If you are facing an emerging issue, call us on 01329 822 866 and we can discuss the situation and your immediate requirements. The appropriate response will depend on the circumstances, what has happened and the support you need.
Can we discuss a sensitive situation confidentially?
Yes. We understand that early conversations about a potential crisis can involve sensitive commercial, legal or reputational information. Call us for a confidential initial discussion about the situation and the support you need.
Can you help us prepare before a crisis happens?
Yes. Our crisis planning service is designed for organisations that want to prepare before an issue occurs. We can develop and review communications plans, test procedures and prepare key people. See our crisis planning page for more information.
How much does crisis management PR cost?
It depends on the nature of the situation, the level of support required and how long the response continues. We will discuss your circumstances, explain the options and agree the scope and costs with you.
Facing an issue? Talk to us about crisis management
01329 822 866
We'd love to talk with you
If your organisation is dealing with a live or emerging crisis, call 01329 822 866 for a confidential initial discussion, or complete our contact form. We will establish what is happening, understand where you need support and advise on the most appropriate next steps.
Featured News & Blog
NEWS
Food & Drink event support for Business South
Support for the Central South Food & Drink Trade EXPO
NEWS
Hard-hitting impact for energy and solar experts
Brand positioning, new website and national media coverage for renewables business.
NEWS
Launch of one of the UK’s largest Biodiversity Net Gain projects
Ongoing integrated comms for Halnaker Hill Farm, a landmark biodiversity and renaturing project.