What is crisis communications and why is it important for businesses?

Crisis communications is the strategic management of messaging and stakeholder engagement during emergencies or negative events that threaten a company's reputation or operations. It's crucial because how a business responds to a crisis can determine whether it recovers its reputation and stakeholders' trust or suffers long-term damage.

How can Third Hemisphere help my organisation with crisis management?

Third Hemisphere is a Sydney-based PR and communications agency that specialises in helping organisations navigate crisis situations by developing strategic response plans, managing media relations, and crafting clear messaging to stakeholders. Their expertise enables businesses to control narratives and transform potentially damaging situations into opportunities to demonstrate strong leadership and values.

What are the first steps to take when a crisis hits your business?

The immediate priorities are to assess the situation objectively, activate your crisis management team, and develop a clear communication plan before speaking publicly. Responding quickly and honestly, whilst showing empathy for those affected, helps contain damage and demonstrates that your organisation is taking the issue seriously.

How can Third Hemisphere turn a crisis into a positive outcome for my brand?

Third Hemisphere helps organisations craft authentic, values-aligned responses that address stakeholder concerns whilst demonstrating accountability and commitment to change. By managing communications strategically across all channels, they can help shift the narrative from one of failure to one of responsible leadership and genuine effort to resolve issues.

What stakeholders should be prioritised in a crisis communications strategy?

Priority stakeholders typically include employees, customers, investors, media, regulators, and the broader community, depending on the nature of the crisis. Each group requires tailored messaging that acknowledges their specific concerns and interests whilst maintaining consistent core messages across all communications.

Why is speed important in crisis communications?

In today's digital landscape, misinformation spreads rapidly on social media and news platforms, so organisations must respond quickly to provide accurate information and prevent false narratives from taking hold. Delayed responses can be interpreted as evasiveness or lack of concern, further damaging trust and reputation.

Crisis Comms: Turn a runaway fire into a hero moment