Be prepared! Survive a media crisis by influencing perceptions through the media
Accident, lawsuit, or layoff. It’s a given—some type of media crisis will hit your organization. Executives must be prepared to talk to the media. (Blurting “no comment” doesn’t count.) Kathy Kerchner will teach your key players how to confidently handle tough questions, gain control of the interview, and preserve your organization’s reputation.
Kathy offers:
- One-on-one coaching (in person or over the phone)
- Half-day workshops with small groups
- Full-day workshops for small groups that want more practice or large groups that want to split into two smaller groups (for example, 6 attendees in the morning and 6 in the afternoon)
- Keynote and breakout presentations for business and association meetings
In a relaxed workshop or coaching environment, your team will learn insider secrets to working with today’s media in a crisis, address the fear and stress of crisis communication, and practice responding on-camera to Kathy’s hard-hitting questions. With Kathy’s coaching and direct, honest feedback, your key players will learn how to take control of “crisis” interviews with confidence.
In the “Crisis Communication” workshop, your team will:
- Plan your crisis strategy—Discuss potential crisis situations, predict possible questions, and address vulnerabilities.
- Choose spokespersons—Clarify their roles and ensure they understand what they can and can’t say.
- Plan standby statements and key messages—Learn how to respond immediately (without saying “no comment”) and learn how to deliver your organization’s key messages.
- Handle tough questions—Practice your interview skills on camera with Kathy’s hard-hitting questions.
- Understand the pros and cons of news conferences—Control the media’s access to your spokespersons and the location for interviews.
- Gain control of the interview—Avoid traps when answering tough questions.
- Be confident—Learn how to be confident in front of the media, show empathy and concern, and use effective and appropriate nonverbal communication.
- Influence perceptions through the media—Both positive and negative media coverage offers your organization the opportunity to deliver your key messages and influence the perceptions of your stockholders, customers, employees, vendors, and the general public.

Kathy Kerchner, Media & Speaking Expert

