Calm heads when it matters most
When the unexpected happens, every decision, every action and every word counts.
A crisis can bring everything your organisation has worked hard to build into question. Reputation, relationships and trust can be damaged quickly, particularly when events are moving fast and your organisation finds itself under intense scrutiny.
Effective crisis communications helps you take control of the situation. It means establishing the facts, understanding who needs to know what and communicating clearly and confidently before uncertainty and speculation take hold.
Cannon PR provides experienced crisis communications support, helping you assess the situation, make informed communications decisions and respond effectively to the needs of your employees, customers, stakeholders and the media.
Expect the unexpected
A crisis can take many different forms, and situations can escalate quickly. What begins as a minor misstep, a negative review or social media backlash can rapidly develop into a much greater reputational challenge.
You may not be able to predict when a crisis will happen, but you can prepare for one. Having the right plans, processes and people in place means your organisation is better equipped to respond quickly and confidently when the unexpected happens.
Effective crisis planning considers the situations your organisation could face, who needs to be involved and how information and decisions will flow when time is at a premium. Cannon PR can develop tailored crisis communication plans, covering everything from stakeholder mapping and scenario planning to response protocols, key messages and media training.
We can also put those plans to the test. Crisis simulations create realistic scenarios that allow your team to practise its response, identify any gaps and fine-tune your crisis management plan before it is needed for real.
Shaping the narrative
Crises rarely unfold in a predictable way. New information emerges, circumstances change and decisions often need to be made quickly as the situation evolves. At the same time, employees, customers, stakeholders and journalists may all be looking to your organisation for information.
In fast-moving situations, clear communications leadership is critical. Cannon PR works alongside your team, bringing structure and clarity to your response and ensuring the right information reaches the right people at the right time.
From preparing holding statements and responding to media enquiries to internal communications briefings and supporting senior leaders, we help you manage the communications demands of a developing crisis, giving your organisation the space to focus on managing the situation.
When every response matters
Every crisis presents its own unique challenges. The support you need will depend on what has happened, who is affected and how the situation develops. Cannon PR provides flexible crisis communications support, bringing together the right skills and resources to help you respond effectively at every stage.
Crisis communications planning
Developing practical plans, protocols and response procedures to ensure your organisation is ready and prepared for challenges it may face.
Media management
Managing journalist enquiries, preparing statements and coordinating your response to increased media attention and scrutiny.
Internal communications
Helping you keep employees informed, providing clarity and maintaining confidence across your organisation during uncertain situations.
Monitoring & intelligence
Monitoring media coverage, public reaction and emerging developments to help inform your communications response as the situation evolves.
Crisis response
Experienced communications advice and hands-on support to help you respond quickly and effectively as situations develop.
Stakeholder communications
Keeping customers, partners, communities and other key stakeholders informed with clear, timely and appropriate communications.
Media training
Preparing senior leaders and spokespeople for interviews, difficult questions and other situations where they need to represent your organisation publicly.
Post-crisis evaluation
Reviewing your communications response, identifying lessons learned and strengthening your preparedness for the future.
Everyone expects answers
During a crisis, attention can quickly focus on what is being said publicly, but the media is only one part of the picture. Employees, customers, suppliers, partners, communities and other stakeholders will have their own questions and concerns. Social media can add further pressure, allowing news, speculation and misinformation to spread rapidly and giving organisations little time to respond.
Different audiences need different information, often at different stages of the response. Keeping people informed helps reduce uncertainty, maintain confidence and ensure they hear important information directly from your organisation rather than through speculation or third parties.
Cannon PR helps you identify who needs to know what, when they need to know it and how best to reach them, ensuring communications remain clear and consistent throughout the crisis.
Rebuilding trust and restoring confidence
A crisis or challenging situation doesn’t have to define your organisation. In many cases, organisations that respond effectively can emerge with greater trust and confidence as a result of the actions they take.
What happens next can be just as important as the immediate response. Acknowledging what went wrong, demonstrating what has changed and following through on the commitments you make can help rebuild relationships and restore confidence in your organisation.
Communications has an important role to play in that process. Cannon PR can help you communicate the actions you have taken, address outstanding concerns and rebuild your reputation with the people whose trust and confidence matter to your organisation.
Experience where it counts
Cannon PR has experience of supporting organisations through a wide range of challenging and potentially damaging situations. Examples have included product recalls, whistleblowing, allegations of misconduct, serious incidents, operational disruption and adverse media attention.
We have provided crisis communications support across sectors including healthcare, food and drink, hospitality, education, professional services, logistics and construction. This breadth of experience enables us to quickly understand the circumstances facing your organisation and provide practical communications advice when it is needed.
We understand the sensitive nature of crisis communications. Every situation is handled with discretion and confidentiality, giving you the confidence to discuss difficult or sensitive issues openly with us.
Crises rarely happen during office hours
When a situation is developing quickly, waiting until tomorrow may not be an option. Cannon PR can provide crisis communications support outside normal working hours when required.
Clients can also be provided with a dedicated emergency contact number, giving them access to support at any time should an urgent situation arise.
Whether you are dealing with an emerging situation or an immediate crisis, we can help you assess what is happening, determine your communications priorities and decide what needs to happen next.