Leading national and international corporations with operations in Australia look to Edelman for Issues and Crisis Management, counsel and 24-hour-a-day support to effectively address critical business issues before and when they arise. Whether it’s an internal program affecting employees, an external effort to protect or defend a company’s reputation or a regional response to something like SARS or the threat of Avian influenza (bird flu), Edelman brings a strong strategic perspective founded on local and international experience, perspective, understanding and insight.
Edelman helps organisations anticipate, assess, respond to and manage an array of complex situations ranging from litigation to product recalls to environmental concerns. Edelman has counseled large listed corporations, mid-sized companies and not-for-profit organisations on how to respond to a range of communications and business challenges including:
- Product recalls and product failures
- Natural disasters and workplace accidents
- Environmental crises and issues
- Employee actions, including corporate campaigns
- Company or product boycotts
- Strategic planning for crisis management and response planning, training and simulations
- Restructurings and reduction-in-force initiatives
- Challenges presented by NGO’s and activist groups
Edelman also works in concert with leading law firms and their clients to develop communications strategies for high-profile litigation and sensitive issues requiring discreet investigations and counseling.
Edelman's Approach
To help organisations properly manage issues before they emerge or escalate into crises, we first conduct risk assessments to identify and prioritise areas of greatest vulnerability. Public perception, emerging trends and business practices with the potential to affect the organisation are studied. We develop management and communications plans to anticipate likely issues; optimise management actions; ensure coordination between operational and communications procedures, craft core messages and materials in issues management databases; establish third-party alliances; conduct crisis media trainings and simulations; and put in place monitoring systems to track emerging issues. Once a crisis has passed, we work with organisations to restore confidence in their reputation and begin the rehabilitative process for companies, brands or management teams.
Should a crisis occur, rapid response is vital. Edelman’s issues and crisis management team are on call 24 hours a day to work with a client’s senior management throughout the crisis arc to provide guidance, develop strategic plans, defend reputation and implement recovery initiatives. We partner with our clients to develop the most effective responses to crises using our national and international network of strategic counselors, quickly assessing the situation and its content and then charting a course to minimise reputational and business damage to the client, its brands and operations.
The Edelman Difference
Our Issues and Crisis Management practice is comprised of senior management and communications counselors, and political and corporate strategists, dedicated to helping organisations plan for and respond to complex issues and crises. Edelman has a deep understanding of the intricacies of negotiation, business, regulatory matters and politics, and brings them to bear on each situation.
The diverse backgrounds across myriad industries provide an understanding of a full range of audiences, as well as familiarity in dealing with regulatory agencies, government officials, political leaders, community leaders and advocacy organisations. Our team also has solid experience in strategic planning, message development, crisis media relations and stakeholder communications.
Engaging the Team
Edelman crisis counselors are on call 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year. Should you be faced with an impending crisis or emerging issue, contact Edelman’s Crisis Response Team at the following numbers:
Nicola McAlpine +61 432 528 066 nicola.mcalpine@edelman.com
Amanda Little +61 411 193 684 amanda.little@edelman.com
David McCarthy +61 417 389 675 david.mccarthy@edelman.com
Nic Jarvis +61 414 414 484 nic.jarvis@edelman.com
