MM 430 - Crisis Communication

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Crises are a fact of life for organizations. Crisis management is the process by which an organization deals with major unpredictable events that threaten harm to the organization, its stakeholders, or the general public. This course follows the crisis communication management process through the stages of pre-crisis, crisis, and post-crisis. This course will examine the variables involved in crisis planning, communication, and management considering the organization’s vulnerabilities, the environment in which it thrives, the stakeholders who can influence its operation, and the strategies best suited to maintaining or enhancing its reputation. As technology and the proliferation of news outlets instantly inform the public about organizational missteps, organizations need to be aware of and manage their reputations before, during and after a crisis. We will consider how the media acts as a catalyst as well as intermediary in this process.