Crisis Never Takes a Holiday

What Communicators Need to Know 
About Being Prepared

The news media does not let the facts get in the way of a “juicy” story, as crisis pros Joan Cear and Debra Berliner of Kellen Communications have found in their many years of crisis communication experience. When Dr. Oz aired a segment recently about arsenic in apple juice, and Consumer Reports ran subsequent articles, Juice Products Association’s communications team at Kellen had to respond.

Learn from two of New York's finest crisis pros on the key steps that can be taken to help you prepare for, respond to, and recover from a crisis situation.  They will explore case studies and the critical role of effective communications, including using social media, to turn around the court of public opinion.

About the presenters

Joan Cear, vice president, Kellen Communications – With more than two decades of public relations experience, this former journalist-turned-PR pro has helped a wide range of companies and business sectors navigate through crises: electric and gas utilities, hospitality, consumer products and non-profits – to name a few.  Expect the unexpected, is her motto. You may not know what crisis will hit or when it will strike, but that does not mean an organization cannot anticipate that one could happen. Recent incidents include helping the juice industry manage communications related to news about arsenic in apple juice and fungicide in orange juice. Joan manages the New York City media relations group for Atlanta-based Kellen Communications.

Debra Berliner, director, Kellen Communications Atlanta – A recent transplant from New York, Debra is an ROI-focused communications and media strategist, who has successfully navigated diverse crisis situations in agency and corporate settings. She is a recognized expert with proven abilities to create compelling strategic messaging, deliver millions of dollars in "earned media" annually, and build collaborative, high-energy teams. Since joining Kellen earlier this year, she has been helping the infant formula industry manage a range of issues, from concerns regarding various ingredients in infant formula to the effort to eliminate hospital discharge bags.  She is the author of “Not Ready for Prime Time: The Rule of Threes for Media Training in a Crisis,” to be published in PR News’ upcoming Crisis Management Guidebook.

Cost

Member: $32 ($42 after 6/22)

Non-Members: $47 ($57 after 5/22)

Students: $15