Today’s information highway resembles the German Autobahn in terms of speed. The 24-hour cable news organizations and the online services are ravenous monsters seeking to fill space.
Social media can take a rumor and spread it globally in seconds. These conditions present an ideal environment to foster a communication crisis.
Learn why having a process in place, which is routinely reviewed and practiced, often prevents a situation from becoming a crisis.
At the May 9 Professional Development Luncheon, Mary Ann McCauley, ABC, president of Minnesota-based Catalyst Communications, will guide us through a crisis communication process that will help you:
- Identify potential triggering events for your organization and industry.
- Build the business case for a crisis team to be in place and prepared to manage a sensitive issue or adverse event.
- Assess any situation before launching tactics to react to what appears to be a crisis.
- Triage any situation and quickly formulate strategies to manage communication during an adverse event.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Maggiano’s Banquet Room
516 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60654
Mary Ann McCauley, ABC, president and principal of Catalyst Communications, located in the Twin Cities, provides strategic communication counsel to broad spectrum of businesses and nonprofits. She has counseled her peers and their management teams on issues including embezzlements, restructurings, acquisitions, personnel issues surrounding sensitive terminations, murder/suicides, accidental deaths, accidents and disappearances of vulnerable adults, fires and other physical plant disasters.
In addition to her crisis and issues management counsel, her experience involves working closely with senior management to develop and implement strategic corporate communication plans. Prior to founding her consultancy in 1987, MaryAnn held several management positions in large U.S. corporations including First Union Bancorpation, Hallmark Cards, Inc. and United Technologies Communications Company. She is active in the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), having served on the international executive board, IABC Pacific Plains Region board, the boards of the St. Louis and Minnesota chapters, chaired the accreditation council, Gold Quill, Communicators for Literacy and the former U.S. district four. She has chaired the boards of local organizations including Opportunity Partners, Minnesota Literacy Council, Cricket Theatre and the Glacier Lakes Chapter of the Audi Club of North America. Mary Ann is accredited by the International Association of Business Communicators.