There Are Some Things Crisis PR Teams Can’t Fix
By Jennifer R. Farmer
When celebrities run afoul of the law, are accused of wrongdoing or make decisions that adversely impact their reputation, they will sometimes hire crisis communications or crisis PR teams. For instance, when Felicity Huffman was entangled in the college admissions scandal, she allegedly hired a crisis communications team. When Ellen DeGeneres was accused of having a toxic workplace culture, and contemplating the end of her show, she allegedly hired a crisis PR firm. Scores of entertainers and leaders have sought PR help in the midst of a crisis. However, there are limits to what crisis communications team can do.
Accountability
Crisis communications teams can help celebrities or high-profile leaders navigate a crisis but they cannot absolve them of accountability. They can help celebrities and others think through strategies for going from the defense to the offense. But they cannot exonerate a celebrity when they are accused of crimes.
When a person has been accused of a major crime such as murder, sexual abuse, abuse of a child, or grave exploitation, the public rightly demands justice. Most of believe that those who harm others should be penalized. This is human nature.
Strategic Partner
A crisis team can come up with strategies to control the narrative but they cannot usurp legal proceedings. If you are navigating a crisis, keep in mind that human nature demands and seeks justice. Most people want those who make mistakes to be accountable for wrongdoing and make amends for mistakes. When public figures are resistant to doing so, they lose credibility and favorability.
The bottom line is a crisis communications team cannot make the public feel good about a person who has clearly run afoul of the law, or a person who behaves abhorrently. For this reason, we should all be mindful of how we manage our personal and professional brands. PR cannot fix everything; nor should it have to.
When To Hire Crisis PR Help.
- Hire crisis PR help if you have been wrongly accused and if you want help articulating your perspective.
- Hire a crisis PR firm if you want assistance thinking through how to neutralize public opinion.
- Hire a crisis PR firm when you are navigating a situation which you are ill-equipped to handle and a situation that could adversely impact your brand and work.
For more information, or to schedule a crisis communications consultation call, visit our website.
Jennifer R. Farmer is the principal of Spotlight PR LLC. You may also check out our other blogs and subscribe for regular communications updates.