By AKCG – Public Relations Counselors This article is written for independent schools, but its crisis communications guidance applies far beyond education. Whether you lead a school, nonprofit, healthcare organization, corporation or public agency, the framework is practical: identify risks, assign responsibilities, establish communication protocols, prepare in advance and evaluate your response afterward. Independent schools […]
Ready.gov is the federal government’s comprehensive resource for emergency preparedness, disaster planning, crisis response and recovery. Created by FEMA, the site helps individuals, families, businesses and communities prepare for emergencies ranging from severe weather, fires and power outages to cyberattacks, terrorism and other major disruptions. It provides practical guidance on creating emergency plans, assembling disaster […]
In high-stakes situations, what leaders say matters — but how they say it can matter just as much. This practical guide examines how executive presence, nonverbal communication, active listening and disciplined message delivery can strengthen credibility during media interviews, board meetings, difficult conversations and crisis communications. Learn how posture, eye contact, vocal tone and preparation […]
Effective apologies are essential to leadership, crisis communications and trust repair. Experts say a meaningful apology requires taking responsibility, acknowledging harm, avoiding excuses, promising change, offering repair and allowing space for forgiveness. For CEOs and communicators, the lesson is clear: accountability and empathy can strengthen relationships, rebuild trust and protect credibility. By Jancee Dunn, writing […]
Effective crisis communications requires more than legal expertise. During a corporate crisis, legal risk and reputational risk must be managed simultaneously. The strongest crisis management strategies pair experienced legal counsel with seasoned crisis communications professionals—working as co-pilots to manage litigation exposure, media scrutiny, stakeholder trust and reputation management through one coordinated strategy. By Bruce Hennes, […]
Senior living providers can strengthen reputation management by combining strategic public relations, media relations and thought leadership. Developing distinctive viewpoints, taking meaningful positions on industry issues and generating sustained positive media coverage can differentiate senior living organizations, build trust with residents and families, counter negative perceptions and strengthen crisis communications preparedness. By Mike Gross, AKCG […]
Media monitoring is essential to effective crisis communications, public relations and reputation management. By tracking news coverage, social media, audience sentiment and emerging trends, organizations can identify potential crises early, understand public perception and respond strategically. Consistent media monitoring also helps PR professionals measure engagement, identify influencers and make better-informed crisis management and communications decisions. […]
A public attack on negative media coverage can transform a minor story into a full-blown reputation management crisis. After robotics company 1X criticized a Wired article on social media, its complaint generated millions of views—vastly amplifying the original coverage. The lesson for crisis communications, media relations and PR professionals: don’t inadvertently make bad news go […]
We are pleased to announce that Hennes Communications is now a division of AKCG – Public Relations Counselors. A Strategic Partnership AKCG, a leading strategic communications firm headquartered in the Philadelphia area with offices in D.C. — and now Cleveland — brings additional depth to our work and the services we can now offer to […]
AKCG – Public Relations Counselors Acquires Cleveland-based Hennes Communications The acquisition, bringing together two long-established national crisis communications agencies, strengthens AKCG’s reputation management footprint AKCG – Public Relations Counselors, headquartered in the Greater Philadelphia Region, today announced that it has acquired Hennes Communications, a nationally recognized crisis communications agency founded by Bruce Hennes in 1989. […]