crisis management

At its core, crisis management is control.

Control is the difference between survival and collapse. In a crisis, the wrong word, the wrong silence, or the wrong move can wipe out shareholder value, destroy years of brand equity, and end a career.

Executives, litigators, and public figures already face relentless pressure from stakeholders, investors, competitors, regulators, and the media. Add the speed of digital platforms and the volatility of public opinion, and even a single accusation or misstep can become unrecoverable.

Merrell Strategy exists to eliminate that risk. We turn uncertainty into clarity, fear into strategy, and chaos into controlled outcomes.

Corporate Brands

Brands are under constant attack. Market reputation is now shaped as much by perception as by performance. A poorly aged statement, a product recall, an executive scandal, or a digital smear campaign can erode consumer trust and investor confidence overnight.

Crisis Pain Points

  • Poorly timed or poorly aged marketing campaigns that trigger backlash

  • Executive or staff misconduct spilling into headlines and social media

  • Product recalls or service failures amplified by digital platforms

  • False or exaggerated claims weaponized by competitors or activists

  • Investigations, regulatory scrutiny, or shareholder litigation attracting media attention

  • Viral outrage campaigns fueled by disgruntled employees, former partners, or advocacy groups

Our Response

  • Anticipate vulnerabilities before they are exploited through proprietary risk analysis

  • Deploy rapid-response strategies that stabilize reputation and market confidence

  • Safeguard shareholder value by controlling narrative and limiting reputational contagion

  • Coordinate communications across media, digital platforms, regulators, and stakeholders to contain fallout and prepare for reentry

Celebrities and Personalities

Public figures live in a constant state of exposure. A single accusation, leak, or viral post can ignite a firestorm that destroys reputation, sponsorships, and future opportunities. Careers are not lost because of one mistake but because the narrative is allowed to spiral out of control.

Crisis Pain Points

  • Accusations of misconduct, harassment, or decades-old impropriety resurfacing online

  • Extortion attempts from former partners, staff, or associates with access to private information

  • Sponsors, agencies, or managers cutting ties during scandal, leaving temporary gaps in support

  • Viral videos, deepfakes, and resurfaced posts used as “evidence” in the court of public opinion

  • Lawsuits, arrests, or messy personal disputes dragged into headlines

  • Paparazzi harassment, stalking, or doxing that endangers families and homes

  • Cultural or political backlash triggered by ill-judged comments, endorsements, or affiliations

Our Response

  • Intercept and neutralize online mobs before they dominate the narrative

  • Prevent accusations and digital attacks from being accepted as fact

  • Contain fallout with sponsors, agencies, and studios to preserve contracts and opportunities

  • Develop and deliver controlled narratives that restore credibility and prepare for reentry