TASC Group

PR 101: What Is PR and Why Is It Important?

Public relations (PR) stands as a pivotal component of reputation management, employing various communication strategies to nurture trust and foster positive relationships. It crafts compelling narratives, engages stakeholders, and upholds transparency within today’s interconnected environment. For organizations and companies, embracing PR is imperative as it not only safeguards against crises but also amplifies the showcase of core values and leadership. Prioritizing PR empowers entities to shape public perceptions, instill trust, and fortify their foothold in a dynamic and competitive marketplace.

The Basics  

Dictionary.com defines public relations as “the professional maintenance of a favorable public image by a company or other organization or a famous person.” There are several factors that go into cultivating a favorable image and maintaining a positive reputation for your client. Communicating effectively and efficiently with your client(s), colleagues and the media prevents mixed messaging. 

What Does PR Entail 

Storytelling 

Storytelling is the backbone of public relations. In PR, professionals create compelling narratives and craft messaging that most effectively communicates the client’s mission. Through these narratives, clients are introduced to the media with the aim of securing coverage in various publications. The goal is to establish strong relationships between PR professionals and members of the media, so that the client’s story can continuously be told whenever relevant. 

Crisis Communications 

The need for a crisis communications consultant can stem from various sources: legal disclosures, involvement in public scandals, or the circulation of damaging misinformation. During such instances, a proficient PR team becomes crucial. They navigate these crises by: 

  • Crafting press releases and statements to clarify any misconceptions about the company. 
  • Creating a comprehensive Q&A guide to assist company spokespeople in addressing tough questions from the media. 
  • Engaging with all relevant stakeholders, including investors, often within a legal context. 

Why Is PR important? 

There is an endless list of why PR is important for a company or individual.  

  1. Establishing a Shield of Protection

PR is the bulwark that shields companies and individuals from potential crises. It creates a robust defense mechanism, preserving reputation and credibility even in challenging times. 

  1. Dedicated Advocacy

Having a PR team means having a consistent advocate. They constantly look out for your best interests, offering guidance and support to navigate through various situations effectively. 

  1. Strategic Partnership

PR professionals are more than advisors; they’re strategic partners. They collaborate closely, offering insights and expertise to refine ideas and shape effective strategies tailored to specific goals. 

  1. Mastering the Art of Storytelling

A core competency of PR lies in crafting compelling narratives. They possess the knack for storytelling, ensuring your brand’s message resonates powerfully with the intended audience and garners successful media attention. 

  1. Campaign and Event Execution

When specific events or campaigns play a role in your strategy, PR professionals excel in planning and execution. They orchestrate events flawlessly, ensuring that they align seamlessly with your brand’s objectives, further enhancing visibility and engagement. 

Interested in Diving Into the World of PR? 

PR is the cornerstone for success, serving as a multi-faceted tool that provides protection, advocacy, strategic guidance, impactful storytelling, and event management. These elements collectively contribute to building and maintaining a strong and favorable public image to maximize an organization’s reach.  TASC uses these PR strategies to help organizations generate institutional and community support. By establishing thought leadership and attracting media attention both nationally and locally, our agency helps elevate your mission and reach target audiences. Explore our comprehensive range of PR and Communications services to discover how we can assist in amplifying your organization’s mission.

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When You Should Call Your Lawyer and When You Should Call Your PR Firm

Who should you call – your lawyer or your PR firm?  

PR and legal teams typically have a symbiotic relationship with each other, often working together to support a client when there is a pending issue that involves both aspects, such as a corporate merger deal with investor relations impacts or a civil trial that has caught the public eye.  

At times, PR firms and law firms will even recommend each other to clients when there is a pressing need for their respective services. 

That said, at the very start of a crisis or even just a development that involves both legal and PR aspects, it can be tricky for clients to determine who they should contact for which matters and why and in what order.  

The Most Important Rule: If You’re in Legal Trouble or About to Be, Call Your Lawyer First

If you are arrested, about to be or even feel you may be about to/have crossed a legal boundary, please connect with your lawyer before talking to anybody else.  

The most important reason is that, unlike your relationship with a PR professional (normally), communication between you and your lawyer is protected and completely confidential under attorney-client privilege. This is right in line with the fact that you have a 5th Amendment right to be silent and not engage in self-incrimination. Your constitutional privileges are precious and valuable, so take advantage of them!  

If you speak to your PR professional before an attorney, your correspondence with them will not be confidential under the law, which could be damaging to your case, and your PR team may encounter their own legal liability. 

How Can You Still Talk to Your PR Team Freely If You Are in Legal Trouble? 

Fortunately, there is a way for your PR team to be involved if you face legal issues. Your designated legal team should be able to formally ‘hire’ your PR team on your behalf and incorporate their cost/retainer into your regular legal bill.  

Through this, your conversations with your PR team will fall under attorney-client privilege and your chosen teams should be able to work together to balance and harmonize the PR strategy with the legal strategy.    

When the PR team is formally hired by your lawyer, you should check with your lawyer on which types of correspondences (such as email, phone, text) fall under privilege and what conditions need to be applied (such as counsel being cc’d on each email to your PR counsel and vice versa). 

Don’t Know The Right Lawyer to Talk to? Try Your PR team!  

While you should be careful how specifically you describe your prospective legal dilemma to a PR professional who is not currently under attorney-client privilege, savvy PR firms well versed in crisis communications like The TASC Group often work hand-in-hand with law firms to connect clients with both PR and legal counsel.  

A quality firm should be able to point you in the direction of or, even better, formally introduce you to proper counsel for the legal matter you are dealing with. 

To learn more about The TASC Group’s work, see our PR and Communication services.

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When Bad Things Happen to Good Brands

When Warren Beatty misread the Academy Award for Best Picture winner as La La Land at the 2017 Academy Awards (the winner was actually Moonlight) the gaffe quickly became one of the hottest topics in the public relations and media worlds. It led the front pages of the New York Daily News and New York Post and was covered ferociously by media outlets from TMZ to The Hollywood Reporter. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the renowned accounting firm that for 83 years had managed voting for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was responsible for the evening’s historic mix-up, faced a major PR crisis for its brand and public reputation. For an institution built on a reputation of accuracy and integrity, the La La Land gaffe compromised both assets to a global audience of 32.9M viewers.  

In our crisis management experience for a variety of clients, there are several clear steps companies must take to come out on the other side of a crisis like this one.    

A Crisis PR Playbook

Step One: Immediately Take Responsibility for The Error 

PwC’s response to the crisis was swift – the most critical factor in handling crisis situations. They immediately released a statement taking full responsibility for the error and assuring the public that the Academy, presenters and host were not at fault for the mistake. This not only helped cap the bleeding, so to speak, but also served to preserve the reputation of the Academy and its brand – and ultimately PwC’s relationship with them, which the firm was invested in maintaining.  

Step Two: Distance The Brand from The Mistake 

PwC’s well-crafted statement after the gaffe attached the blame to one accountant, Brian Cullinan, and singled him out for not following the firm’s established protocols – illustrating that they held their employees and their work to the highest standards. This deliberate wording served to separate the larger brand of the firm from the error. In subsequent interviews with the media, PwC representatives called the mistake a result of “human error,” reinforcing that this mistake was made by one individual and affirming that PwC’s reputation for accuracy has not been compromised as a whole.  

Additionally, PwC prevented the accountant responsible for the error from speaking publicly. This allowed them to both control the message and reiterate that the accountant at fault did not speak for or represent the brand.  

Step Three: Keep on Keeping on

One of the key steps to repairing a brand’s public image is to draw from the depth of the company’s reputation and affirm it through the next steps they take as a company. After a company in crisis has taken responsibility and worked to smooth over brand issues, the next step is to get back to business. Rather than lingering on the obvious crisis, PwC shifted back to their day-to-day efforts and refocused the public narrative on the issues best associated with the firm – financial services, banking, capital markets and investments.  

Return to Regularly Scheduled Programming

By shifting back to their “regularly scheduled programming,” PwC effectively avoided further scrutiny and quietly restored their image as a firm that could be trusted with the Academy’s votes. By following the steps outlined above, the firm maintained its reputation for accuracy and integrity long after #EnvelopeGate passed.  

Over twenty years representing some of the nation’s most celebrated social changemakers, nonprofit organizations and social movements, The TASC Group has navigated a plethora of wide-ranging and highly publicized crises. By following these simple steps, individuals can ensure that their brand survives a public crisis and can seamlessly return to ”regularly scheduled programming.”

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Walk the Talk: Advance Your CSR Initiatives With an ESG PR Strategy

Committing to thoughtful and relevant corporate social responsibility (CSR) programming is no longer enough. In fact, promoting your CSR promises without measurable metrics and transparency may come off as hollow and disingenuous, fomenting controversy that can, at times, harm your company, employees and the communities you are trying to serve. Make your programming more impactful, equitable, sustainable and accountable by integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in your PR strategy. 

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Right now, more than ever before, implementing a meaningful and impactful CSR plan with an ESG strategy is not just good for business – it is essential to the well-being of your company, your employees and your community.  

In 2015, Cone Communications Millennial research found that 72% of Americans say they feel it is more important than ever that the companies they buy from reflect their values, and 76% say supporting companies that are addressing social and environmental issues helps them feel they are doing their part. Nearly nine out of ten consumers say they’re likely to purchase from purpose-driven companies.

Today, Gen-Z has become an influential group of consumers, leading social causes and change through their buying power in the last few years. According to research by Fuse Marketing, “85% of Gen-Z believe companies have an obligation to help solve social problems.” A substantial 23% of Gen-Z also reported to have boycotted an activity or company.

Therefore, identifying your values and putting them into action thoughtfully and impactfully is crucial to reaching your target audience and giving back to your community. Start by examining your company values and the interests of your stakeholders to identify the need you are uniquely positioned to fill, and then build out a plan to channel resources into that space. 

CSR and ESG Initiatives Require Sincere Commitment

There are lessons to be learned from Bud Light’s partnership with social media influencer, Dylan Mulvaney, last April. At a time when the transgender community was being stripped of their rights by right-wing legislators and even life by transphobic individuals, Bud Light had a responsibility to stand with Dylan when hateful bullying and backlash arose from their collaboration. Instead, Bud Light turned its back on Dylan and the entire LGBTQ community. It led to massive boycotts on both sides. The TASC Group Founder and Chairman Larry Kopp puts it best: “They’ve damaged their relationship with their main customer base and the LGBTQ+ community.”

Implement a Realistic ESG Strategy to Advance Your CSR Goals

Utilizing PR can raise awareness of your CSR initiatives, build interest in the causes you care about and attract other donors and partners, big and small, to support your efforts. Weighing in on pressing issues can feel overwhelming, especially in the current news cycle, so it’s important to employ PR in a thoughtful way, focusing on your cause, not your company. 

  1. Evaluate how your brand and initiatives align with your demographics and their social advocacy.
  2. Craft the right messaging around your CSR goals and ESG initiatives, focusing your work and objectives on today’s most pressing issues. 
  3. Create a step-by-step ESG plan to advance social causes, address issues impacting communities you want to reach and invite others to get involved. 
  4. Set measurable goals to track your progress and create transparency for your initiatives

The Road Ahead

Be creative with your CSR and ESG initiatives. Finding unique ways to leverage your company’s position or events will drive media interest, which in turn will help you build support for your cause and goodwill for your company. 

Creating relevant, inventive CSR initiatives that tangibly address the needs of your community and then thoughtfully communicating them to your stakeholders is crucial for our collective revitalization efforts and also for the success of your business. Engaging in CSR and ESG will best prepare your company to build trust with consumers whose values are guiding the future. 


Need an ESG PR strategy? The TASC Group offers comprehensive services that can set your thought leadership and advocacy efforts stand out, including public relations, crisis and issues management, cause-related marketing, storytelling and messaging and more.

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Three Steps to Maximize SEO Through PR

As the world becomes an increasingly digital place, potential clients, partners, donors and other key audiences are more and more likely to discover a brand or organization online. PR firms therefore must prioritize SEO and a client’s standing in search in their PR and communications strategies.

What Is SEO?

SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of improving an organization’s standing in online search tools, ensuring that it shows up at the top of search results for its name, relevant terms and for its services or offerings. According to Google, SEO is about helping search engines understand and present content. Doing it well requires an understanding of how search engines work and employing tactics across owned and external links to improve the ranking of an organization. 

SEO & PR

Part of SEO belongs with SEO experts and web developers, for example optimizing site maps, URLS, etc., but public relations can play a pivotal role in SEO as by developing content for an organization’s website, supporting internal teams to develop the right language and links to employ across social media and most importantly, securing references and backlinks to the organizations on high-quality sites. This can include media hits that mention clients and link to their site or social media and also press releases that get picked up by hundreds of news sites throughout the country. 

Employing PR for SEO

There are three key roles PR can play in improving SEO for an organization. They are:

  1. Keyword Optimization 

Take a look at almost any website, and you may quickly find that it is not fully taking advantage of proper keyword use. Search engines need to be able to understand what websites are about so that they can index and rank them accordingly. This doesn’t mean you should stuff a handful of keywords anywhere you can – this can actually lower your ranking as it can be read as spam. It means doing a little research and looking at the variety of ways people search for what you offer. For example, if someone is looking for a law firm to represent them after a car accident, they may search for “car accident law firm,” “car accident attorney,” “car accident lawyer,” “auto accident attorney,” and the list goes on.

Using simple keyword research tools can help you identify opportunities and ensure you capture the most popular terms. A good PR firm will use a variety of tools to make decisions on which keywords should be targeted. Once you’ve identified the proper keywords, integrate them into the places search engines weigh most heavily, such as your title tags, meta description tags, h1 tags and body copy.  
 

  1. Link Building

Let’s be honest. Good link building is hard work. It can take a lot of time and be tedious to manage. This is precisely why most are not doing it. But the SEO community is united in the consensus that the number and quality of inbound links to a website is one of the most important factors when Google determines how highly that website should rank. What’s one of the best ways to get a large number of natural inbound links to your website from credible websites with high domain authority? Earning press coverage!  

A good PR firm will assist in getting online placements on authoritative news and informational websites. Some more advanced and contemporary link building activity includes using brand monitoring tools to find mentions of your company, product or service online and then manually reaching out to the website to provide a link. Regardless of how you decide to build links to your website, link building should be an ongoing effort. In the world of link building, slow and steady wins the race.  

  1. Content Production 

If you truly want to garner a lot of traffic from those performing searches online, you will need a lot of content. Content adds to an organization’s online brand awareness, expertise and authority and  is how Google determines what your website is about and what phrases it should rank for. Make sure you use the keyword optimization information above when posting each article. Once your content production engine is running, find creative ways to repurpose that content for social posts, newsletter content, podcasts, guest blog posting, and so on. Your PR partner can work with you to offer suggestions to implement the right keywords across owned channels. 

Why You Should Consider An SEO Strategy

Great SEO is a team sport – it requires cooperation from an internal team, an SEO expert, content writers, web developers and a PR firm. With all working in coordination toward a shared goal, you too can be first in your audience’s search results. As a PR firm for nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, we work thoughtfully with your team to develop an SEO, media relations and content strategy to elevate you in the ranks of Google and other search engines.

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Elevate Your Business with Effective Public Relations Strategies

While a solid marketing strategy can deliver short-term gains, long-term brand growth often hinges on a well-executed public relations (PR) approach. PR has the power to shape your brand’s image and foster sustained recognition in the eyes of your audience. In this article, we’ll explore the fundamentals of PR and how it can benefit your business.  

The Foundations of a PR Strategy

1. Crafting Compelling Stories

The basis of any good public relations campaign is a clear, strong message, and at the core of every such message is a compelling story. Your brand possesses a unique story and passion that sets it apart. Effectively describing your mission and why it matters is crucial to resonating with the public. According to Forbes, being backed by trustworthy news sources can also help your business growth by boosting its brand awareness. 

2. Boosting Visibility

Visibility is a cornerstone of connecting with consumers and building brand awareness. To begin, conduct thorough research to pinpoint your target audience. Understand their behavior, interests, and preferences. This data serves as the foundation for tailoring your PR strategy. 

3. Engaging Your Audience

Once your target audience is identified, develop a PR plan that generates content to engage them effectively. Determine their preferred sources of information, whether it’s newspapers, magazines, blogs, or social media. Knowing where your audience gets their news requires an effective media list and informs the content you create to align with their interests. This is key to capturing and retaining their attention. 

4. Diverse Goals

While increasing visibility and engaging your target audience are primary PR goals, public relations can help achieve a variety of other goals. Whether you aim to boost product sales, attract event attendees, shift public perceptions, or raise funds for a cause, a well-crafted PR campaign can be tailored to address these diverse goals. Examples of campaign objectives include:  

  • reaching a new audience 
  • ensuring a business becomes known for a particular product, service, program, mission, etc. 
  • increasing sales of or engagement with a particular product, service, event, etc. 
  • improving the image of a company with the general public 
  • counteracting negative press about a company 

When to Seek Professional Help

Creating and executing an effective PR campaign can be challenging, especially for those without prior experience. If you’re unsure where to begin or lack the expertise, hiring a PR professional is a wise choice. These experts understand the intricacies of building successful campaigns and conveying your message to the right audience. 

Benefits of a PR Strategy

When executed adeptly, PR can yield numerous benefits. It can elevate conversion rates with customers, establish your brand as an authoritative figure in your niche, influence public opinion and policymakers, secure vital funding, and attract new followers and program participants.

A well-crafted PR strategy is a valuable asset for your business, enabling long-term growth and recognition. By incorporating effective PR into your marketing efforts, you can shape your brand’s image, engage your audience, and achieve a range of strategic goals.   

How The TASC Group Can Help

If you’re considering professional assistance for your PR needs, reach out to The TASC Group today. Our team has provided counsel to the nation’s most effective nonprofits, social changemakers and cause-driven organizations. We can help you create a PR strategy that amplifies your message to community members, captures your team’s unique voice and reaches millions with your impactful work.

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Crafting an Effective Media List for Nonprofits and Mission-Driven PR Campaigns

When you have a story to share, reaching a wider audience starts with creating a comprehensive media list. Getting your content seen by potential consumers starts with creating a media list of outlets and contacts from those outlets which cater to your target market. 

Six Steps for Creating a Great Media List

  1. Define Your PR Pitch 

Start by clearly defining your PR pitch. Whether it’s an executive interview or a product announcement for your non-profit, articulate what you’re offering to the media and why it matters. A well-defined pitch is essential for capturing the attention of journalists and gaining media coverage. Pitch writing consists of persuasion, creative thinking and storytelling. If what you’re sharing is relevant to the journalist, fewer than 200 words and highly readable — think short sentences, bullet points and subheads. 

  1. Develop Multiple Angles

Consider multiple angles for your pitch that align with your target media outlets and their audiences. Figure out which approach best aligns with your goals and with those of the journalists. 

  1. Choose the Right Timing 

Timing is a critical aspect of successful PR outreach. Determine when you want your content to be seen by your target audience. Quick-turnaround outlets like online platforms, daily newspapers, television, and radio are ideal for immediate exposure. For evergreen content, consider pitching to magazine publications. Evaluate your options and choose the timing that best suits your story.  

  1. Thoroughly Research Contacts & Outlets 

Utilize databases and search engines to identify potential media outlets. Start with broad search terms and narrow down your list as you progress. Pay attention to journalists’ beats, cadence of publication and whether they receive pitches or not. Seek assistance from a PR agency if necessary to define your media list effectively. 

  1. Understand Media Roles 

Consider the roles of potential contacts within media outlets. Editors-in-chief may focus more on the business aspects of the outlet, while staff writers or assignment editors are often looking for unique stories. Include multiple contacts from one outlet to ensure comprehensive coverage. 

  1. Review and Supplement Your List 

After compiling your initial list, review it for any missing outlets or contacts. Use online resources like Google or ChatGPT to identify any overlooked opportunities. Continuously refine your list to ensure it’s comprehensive and up-to-date. 

Build Your Media List Today!

By following these six steps, you can create a robust media list that will enhance your public relations campaign’s success. A carefully curated media list ensures that your content reaches the right audience, increasing your chances of securing valuable media coverage. 

For more insights and expert guidance on PR strategy and media outreach, explore relevant news articles, such as those from A Good Cause and Glue Up.If you have further questions or need assistance with your PR campaign, feel free to reach out to The TASC Group today! Learn more about how The TASC Group’s award winning expertise can help you to strengthen, support and highlight your mission within the communities you serve.

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Survival Guide for Deepfakes and AI From a PR Perspective

Every couple of months a new AI feature goes viral. From image generators, personal assistants, note taking and audio transcription services to work out plan generators, the options were ever growing in 2023.  

With these tools and applications designed to make our lives easier, there come a few side effects to watch out for when incorporating them into our everyday lives. One of them is our diminishing ability to distinguish between what information is real and what’s false. 

AI’s Contribution to Disinformation

AI tools have become some of the main contributors to deepfakes and the spread of false news and misinformation. Merriam-Webster defines deepfake as “an image or recording that has been convincingly altered and manipulated to misrepresent someone as doing or saying something that was not actually done or said.” We’ve seen deepfakes overtake social media, especially when the world is watching major news or political events unfold. 

Likewise, AI chatbots have raised concerns as they have the tendency to give users misleading information. The main issue is that AI chatbots can’t clearly distinguish between fact and fiction. They’re simply aggregators of information available online – and as we all know, information online is not always reputable. This causes users to run into trouble when they’re fully trusting and relying on these chatbots as sources of information. 

So what can we do to avoid falling for misinformation? 

How to Manage the Rise of AI-Generated Content

  1. Review the quality of the video or image 

AI still has kinks and quirks that prevent it from being able to seamlessly create a video or image that looks 100% real. However, AI platforms are working to improve image generation, and we might not be able to tell what’s real versus fake soon. In the meantime, look for some key giveaways, including: 

  1. No-to-little blinking in videos of people
  2. Patchy skin tones
  3. Extra fingers or teeth on people or animals
  4. Poor lip-synchronization with audio
  5. Strange lighting effects with light coming from multiple directions

2. Approach information on social media with a critical eye 

Not everything you see on the internet is true. Going beyond believing what you see on the internet and backing up the information consumed on social platforms with research of your own from notable news sources and journals is how we can avoid falling victim to the spread of false and misleading information. Remember, we’re living in the age of disinformation, and social media is at the forefront of inflamed sentiment around the world. If you read something inflammatory on social media, whether or not it may be AI-generated, always double-check that it’s real before you disseminate it. 

  1. Double check information chatbots provide 

When using AI chatbots for research, it’s important to ask the chatbot where it sourced the information it’s providing you with. This allows you to double check to see if the source is reliable and can provide you with a sense of security. 

When you make a query, and if you’re content with the response provided, ask the chatbot “What source did you get this information from?” The chatbot will return the name of the source since it cannot pull direct links. You can then independently vet that information. 

  1. Protect your data

Remember that while AI can be a powerful tool, many privacy and security issues stem from broader online practices. Being mindful of your digital footprint and adopting good cybersecurity habits can go a long way in protecting your data from various threats, including potential misuse by AI.  

  1. Read privacy policies before engaging with AI technology to understand how your data will be stored and used.
  2. Avoid sharing private or personal information. If possible, use generic or anonymous information instead of providing personally identifiable details. This can help maintain a level of privacy while still allowing you to interact with the chatbot.
  3. Ensure that the platform hosting the AI chatbot uses secure and encrypted connections (look for “https” in the URL). This helps protect your data during transmission.
  4. Consider using the incognito or private browsing mode of your web browser when interacting with chatbots. This mode often limits tracking and data storage.
  5. Be aware of suspicious activity. If the chatbot is asking for personal information that is unrelated to its services make sure to verify the legitimacy of the platform. 

Ultimately, Remain Vigilant

As AI technology advances, the AI giveaways could be resolved in the near future, making deepfake media more believable and therefore a bigger threat. The only true way of avoiding falling victim to AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes is to do your own research and ensure the information you’re given is coming from a reliable source. In the current age of digital media, you can never be too careful. 

Using PR Tactics to Navigate Your Holiday Dinners

PR skills come in handy in every aspect of our lives. Planning a surprise party for your roommate? That requires organizational skills, logistics management and discretion. Tailoring your resume to fit the 50+ jobs you’re applying for? You’ll need research, focus and proofreading skills. Writing a memoir about your successful career as a CEO? You’ll want to ensure that you’ve got writing, messaging and top-notch storytelling skills. 

And difficult holiday dinners with that uncle you try your best to only see once a year? Well, we have some PR skills for that too. 

5 Tips and Tricks for Family Dinners

  1. Define Your Talking Points – and Stick to Them 

In most interview situations, we tend to think that the interviewer will direct the conversation and there won’t be room for the interviewee to make any additional points. But keep in mind that you don’t always have to take the lead from the person questioning you – you can (within reason) discuss and direct answers to your own areas of focus. 

The question to ask yourself is this: No matter how many questions you get about your political views, what message is it that you want to get across this holiday season? Is it that you are thankful to be spending time with your children? That you’ve progressed dramatically in your career and finally landed that promotion? That you’ve made a new really good friend?  

Write out (or mentally map out) the three main things you want to share and focus on in your conversations with your friends and family during your holiday dinner – and stick to them! 

  1. Know Your Audience  

When communicating a particular message, it’s critical to know your audience. Who are you trying to reach with this message? Your customers? Your donors? Your 6-year old niece? And what is your goal with these conversations?  

Depending on your intended audience and what you want to accomplish, you should be tailoring how you communicate your core messages for maximum impact. 

  1. Deflect and Redirect 

No matter how much you try to change the conversation, sometimes people want to hammer a point home and you can’t easily escape it. What you can do, however, is to do your best to deflect and redirect the conversation.  

“Uncle Jim, as much as I’d love to talk about my bad breakup this year, what I really want to do is show you the new car I just bought.”  

Never answer a question you don’t want to answer – just ensure you’re using the right language to deflect and move on to other topics.  

  1. Talk Less, Listen More 

This may be more a Life Pro Tip than a PR tip, but a key characteristic of successful dialogue is respectful listening. Listen to what your cousin Mary is saying before formulating a response in your head. This will allow for more organic conversation and for all parties to feel heard.  

You will also appear to be (and actually be) thoughtful in your conversations.  

  1. Manage the Crisis 

So, what happens when you’re the one who ends up putting their foot in their mouth? Own it. Apologize – and mean it. Communicate to the offended party that you’ve learned your lesson and plan to actively do better. The best defense in any crisis is learning and growing from mistakes, and by openly admitting your wrongdoing you display a level of emotional maturity that your family will respect and be proud of. 

Overall, Public Relations Helps in All Areas 

In all seriousness, public relations is a skilled trade that can benefit everyone, from the individual to an entire nonprofit organization to the CEO of a Fortune 500 corporation.  

The most important thing to remember is that keeping your broader goals in mind will help you keep perspective, keep your cool and let you focus on what is really important during any holiday – friends, family, food and fun.

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Ohio Train Derailment: Public Relations in Holding Institutions Accountable

On February 3, 2023, the freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio resulted in alarming amounts of toxic chemicals released into the atmosphere and subsequent evacuation orders. In a town where residents were already facing socioeconomic obstacles, this disaster exacerbated safety and quality of life concerns.

Nearly a year has passed, and residents continue to face disarray. Many are residing in motels due to legitimate concerns, either fearing to return or facing official prohibitions during the ongoing cleanup. Even those who have returned express significant apprehension about the quality of air, water, and soil. Some have reported worsened health problems, going so far as to describe living there as similar to being in an apocalyptic movie.

Property value reduction, long-term health ailments and mental health issues are just a few causes of distress for residents. This incident sickened and displaced many in the community. It catalyzed previous conversations about safety precautions and the location of such railroads which are disproportionately placed in lower-income, often Indigenous, communities of color.

Part of a Larger Issue

While derailments have decreased by more than three quarters since the 1970’s according to federal data, large freight railroads have seen an increase in derailments in five of the last seven years. Large freight railroad companies began introducing precision-scheduled railroading in 2016 to enhance efficiency by running fewer trains on tighter schedules. Intending to cut expenses, trains tend to be longer and heavier to transport as much cargo as possible. Tighter scheduling to cut costs could arguably be the cause of increased human error, equipment and track failure.

Despite historic activist outcry regarding train route placement in marginalized communities, industry leaders say that most derailments occur within the confines of rail yards and make public statements focusing on train safety in comparison to other modes of transportation such as driving. This deliberate disregard for ostracized community concerns is unfortunately common practice by many corporations and public officials.

The Biden Administration made a statement committing to visit East Palestine but has not followed through and has continued to defend its response to this toxic freight train derailment, even as local leaders demand increased efforts and clarity around the long-term effects of the disaster.

The Value of PR in Crisis

When disasters happen as a result of corporations’ carelessness, public relations is often thought of only in terms of damage control for the company responsible. But PR practitioners are also responsible for utilizing their expertise to aid the communities impacted by such tragedies.

PR professionals play a significant role in crisis communications, especially concerning the initial and long-term response to such events. During the initial phases of a crisis, PR professionals must work with journalists and their clients to galvanize public awareness and financial contributions. Long-term responses involve recognizing the reality that our world today is afflicted by a plethora of problems that deserve attention and require resources and thus doing our part to ensure that those affected are not forgotten.

In the case of the train derailment in East Palestine where the long-term health implications of this event are largely unknown, pushing for thorough monitoring of the water and air quality is critical. Long-term coverage, media attention and connecting media to those on the ground who can tell their stories is paramount to holding Norfolk Southern Corporation accountable. We must put pressure on government officials to enact better safety regulations and to address the socioeconomic implications. A primary responsibility in this response must also be to encourage continued research into health hazards associated with spilled chemicals such as vinyl chloride and phosgene.

The issue of train derailments has been a historic point of contention, often affecting communities already facing additional deprivation and disparity. PR for situations intertwined with oppression such as this involves amplifying community voices, extending our resources, connecting with our audiences to encourage additional assistance and monitoring media and social platforms for the vocalized needs of those impacted.

The Power of Intentional PR 

As we move forward, we must keep those affected a priority by encouraging our clients to contribute when appropriate. All the while, no initiative should merely be intended for press opportunities. As with the PR tactics surrounding any tragedy, the intention must be to benefit those impacted by raising awareness and resources, magnifying the needs of the affected community and educating the public on ways to prevent similar events.To learn more about how TASC can help advise your organization on intentional and purposeful messaging during a conflict, check out our PR and Communications services.

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