Tackling Scandal: An Interview with Hennes Communications’ Stephanie York

Scandals come in many flavors and are often tinged with sexual misconduct, fiscal mismanagement, and/or nefarious lapses in moral and ethical judgment. American City & County, the voice of state and local government since 1909, interviewed Hennes Communications VP Stephanie York about scandal and how to neutralize it with proactive communications. Here’s an excerpt:

York says there are three scenarios in scandal management.

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“Before any scandal happens, you can do what’s called a vulnerability audit,” York says. By taking account of all potential risk factors, “you can create a crisis plan for any one of these scandals that could possibly happen.” This plan should include what will be communicated, who will be communicating, and who they will be communicating with, both internally and externally. When scandal hits, no time will be wasted organizing a strategy. Unfortunately, this type of preparation is rare, York says. Most organizations don’t start planning until they are mired in scandal. 

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York’s perspective is unique, in that these principles were learned from the governmental side. The lessons she learned managing scandals in Akron she applies to her clients today.

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It’s not the act itself that’s damning, York adds, it’s what you do after the act that determines your legacy.

How should you prep for scandal? Read all three scenarios  at AmericanCityandCounty.com.

Photo Credit:  FreeImages.com & Kenn Kiser