Crisis & Issues Management
Advance crisis planning clearly and concisely is critical for managing issues strategically before they become a crisis.
Advance crisis planning clearly and concisely is critical for managing issues strategically before they become a crisis. Worldcom’s agencies are experts at understanding and developing proper communications through the right channels to protect your company’s reputation.
From issues identification, on-site crisis management support, crisis assessment and mitigation, to litigation communications and constituency relations, we partner with you to triumph through any issues and crises that arise. Our crisis management and PR issue crisis services help organizations anticipate, contain and respond effectively. Contact us today to learn more about our crisis PR services.
Success Story
PR Response to the BP Oil Spill
When the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, the Louisiana Office of Tourism employed Deveney Communication to create and implement its response campaign to the massive oil spill—the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history—and preserve the image of an industry that employs more than 200,000. The firm was charged with responding to the whirlwind around the media crisis, promoting the facts–despite powerful imagery propagating misperceptions—and proactively preserving the Pelican State’s $9.4 billion tourism industry.
Partner: DEVENEY
The Task
On April 20, 2010 an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon led to a gushing oil leak that threatened the coastal region and Louisiana’s vital tourism industry. By July 15, the leak was capped, but the polluted perceptions were projected to cost the coastal region between $7.6 and $22.7 billion over the next three years. Louisiana Office of Tourism commissioned Deveney Communication to forge an aggressive campaign that would immediately respond to the media whirlwind and preserve the Pelican State’s $9.4 billion tourism industry.
The Strategy
Information collected during the exhaustive research phase laid foundation for the crisis communications strategy. Deveney crafted a campaign capable of resonating within different populations by incorporating Louisiana tourism messages into all tactics. With an understanding that all coverage of Louisiana impacts potential tourists’ perceptions of the state, the quantity of media coverage surrounding the oil spill encouraged us to aspire for media relations opportunities beyond tourism topics.
The campaign applied a 360-degree immersive approach to address interests outside of tourism, orchestrating a diverse network of experts to banner our messaging in interviews. These experts secured targeted interviews, and then presented their insights in a context promoting visiting Louisiana.
The Result
- Exceeded the most successful previous annual campaign return on investment for the LOT
- Garnered positive media coverage conveying tourism assets were readily available in Louisiana
- A 1,097-to-1 return on Investment (3,127% over objective)
- More than 667.3 million impressions (1,026% over objective) Some $658.5 million in targeted publicity value (2,743% over objective)
- Established a Strategic Partner Network, including more than 1,100 industry partners and stakeholders
- Created and leveraged an Experts Bureau of some 86 top spokespeople for Louisiana’s tourism industry
- False perceptions about Louisiana seafood have improved
- Tourism numbers are trending up and are projected to surpass pre-Katrina numbers in both number of visitors and visitor spending by 2013
