Expertise
All our engagements are founded on one principle: long-term business success is built on the strength of relationships with key stakeholders.
Effective communication goes beyond merely placing stories in the press. It involves engaging in discreet discussions that inform and educate journalists and influencers, giving them the context they need to properly approach issues.
Drawing upon our extensive knowledge of reporters and news outlets, we tailor our approach to align with their preferences, helping your story become their story. We provide comprehensive media training to equip your team with the skills and confidence needed to navigate press engagements and to help them stay on message, even in the toughest circumstances. With a proven track record of placing over 2,650 positive stories in influential media outlets, both domestically and internationally, we have successfully shaped the narrative and driven global business growth.
We excel at identifying and engaging influential third parties who can help carry your message to the right audiences. Whether it’s engaging with think tanks or trusted organizations or helping you identify and interact with the most respected voices in your industry, we can help you build relationships with the people whose voices get heard.
Through our strategic stakeholder engagement approach, we deftly navigate the communications landscape, optimize media opportunities, and harness the influence of off-the-record conversations to drive your business success. Partnering with us means building meaningful connections, amplifying your brand's presence, and ultimately achieving your business goals.
Related capabilities:
Media Relations
Media Engagement
Media Training
Thought Leadership
Influencer Relations
Influencer Engagement
Third Parties
Who
A $2B Strategic Business Unit of a Fortune 100 Aerospace and Defense Company
The Challenge
Motivated by interagency budgetary politics, a career civil servant at a government agency decided against exercising an option on an annual contract for a critical military system. This decision, if implemented, would have led to the closure of a vital production line, and cost the company I worked for at the time a significant amount of revenue. It also would have caused significant delays to a program critical for the success of operational military units.
The Opportunity
After being instructed by government gatekeepers not to approach the head of the agency directly, we recognized an opportunity to influence the decision-making process through strategic press engagements. Leveraging our understanding of the agency’s communication channels, we targeted respected publications that we knew the head of the agency would read. Our aim was to educate the agency head through the press about the consequences of the government's decision while preserving the relationship with the civil servant.
The Plan
We crafted subtle messaging that effectively communicated the gravity of the situation and maintained a respectful and non-accusatory tone. We strategically engaged with a handful of carefully selected journalists that met three important criteria: they worked for publications well-respected inside the government organization, they were known for being open-minded, and they had a reputation for telling complex and nuanced stories.
The Outcome
The resulting press coverage accurately conveyed the seriousness of the situation in a respectful, nonconfrontational manner. Crucially, the head of the agency read the article and promptly contacted the president of the business unit for additional details. After their conversation, the agency head directed staff to exercise the contract option. This decision prevented significant program delays and ensured the success of both the government organization and our client's business. Importantly, the relationship with the civil servant who initially made the decision remained intact.
We’ll start with a free initial consultation. During the consultation, we’ll have a conversation about what you’re trying to achieve. If we can help you, we’ll let you know. And if we can’t, we’ll be transparent about it.
Your information will always remain confidential, as required by the Public Relations Society of America’s code of ethics. Should you have a highly sensitive matter, we are open to entering into a nondisclosure agreement.
If we're a good fit, we’ll create a concise written proposal detailing our collaborative approach to address your organization’s challenges. This proposal will outline rough timelines, recommend specific actions and deliverables, and provide general cost estimates. You and your team will have the opportunity to review the proposal; if necessary, we will revise the proposal’s scope based on your feedback. Once everything meets your expectations, we’ll finalize the contract and formalize our partnership.
Every project starts with a question: What are your business objectives?
From there, and in close partnership with you and your team, we’ll dive into the issues and challenges. We’ll combine what we’ve learned with additional research and our decades of expertise to develop a tailored solution that solves your business problem.
After you approve the solution, we’ll put it into action. We’ll evaluate progress based on metrics that make sense for you and your organization. And, as the situation evolves, we’ll adjust our approach.
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