civilian crisis communication and strategy
Our clients have suffered a public tragedy.
In PR parlance, a “civilian” is a person who has not sought out fame, but has found him, her, or their self the focus of (often unwanted) attention by the media and/or the general public.
This often happens after a tragedy. The survivors and family members of victims of scandals, mass casualty events, or highly-publicized acts of violence or murder often become a target of zealous news organizations, desperate to get not only the story, but an exclusive “scoop.”
But increasingly, civilians also find themselves the obsession of “armchair detectives” eager to solve a crime, bloggers and “citizen journalists” hoping to make a name for themselves, conspiracy theorists and hoaxers, “key board warriors” and “cancelers” who want to play morality police (often for profit), and those who use the internet to re-victimize and inflict additional pain on the grieving or vulnerable, for sport.
Our clients have a story to tell.
People who have experienced the fantastical, the unbelievable, and sometimes the horrific often have exceptional stories to tell that inspire, excite, and inform. At Merrell Strategy we help people tell their stories. Whether this is through introduction to authors, editors, and publishers, speakers bureaus and speaking coaches, or television producers, feature film and documentary film makers, our network of entertainment professionals help ensure that people with extraordinary experiences can tell their stories in engaging and empowering ways.
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our approach
At Merrell Strategy, we have a multi-disciplinary approach to crisis management for high-profile civilians. Whether we are retained by attorneys or by the civilians themselves, our goal is to protect and then empower our clients.
Our process begins with insulating civilians so that they no longer have to engage with the media and others directly, giving them space to breathe and if necessary, grieve.
We then evaluate both offline and online threats, compile digital forensics, and if required, report and remove online defamation, harassment, and abuse. We can provide recommendations for legal counsel or work with existing counsel providing a catalog of abuse for legal process.
When our clients are ready, we work together to create a post-crisis strategy. This often includes creating a cohesive message, selecting appropriate members of the reputable media with which to interact, and either act as a spokesperson for, or provide guidance and training to, the client so that their message can be effectively delivered.