managing media relations: after disaster strikes

Managing Media Relations: After Disaster Strikes

Madelia

On February 3, 2016, at 2:29 AM, an explosion occurred in the 10 block of West Main Street in Madelia, MN. One of the property owners, living in an upstairs apartment in a building near the blast, reported being thrown out of his bed from the initial explosion.

Madelia Police Department

US HWY 169 Flood Mitigation Project

The Free Press

GIPHY.com

8 Fire Departments 100 Firefighters

35-40 Impacted Workers

8 Private Sector Businesses Destroyed106 combined years of service

$3,000,000 in combined sales volume$400,000 - $1,300,000 lost in wages &

benefits

THE CALL FOR HELP

WCCO

Press Conference Featuring Minnesota’s Governor and Community

Leaders

7 Television Interviews – State and Local6 Radio Interviews

Designed and distributed weekly updates to area partners and media

(171 recipients per week)

Key TakeawaysConsistency in messaging

Identify your spokesperson

Plan a transition for roles

Provide the same information to all media outlets

Remember: You control the story – not the media

Coordinated Visits of State Officials to Madelia

WCCO

U.S. Senator Klobuchar Visits Madelia

Held a panel discussion and brought area leaders to the room

Nicole Griensewic Mickelson,

Executive Directornicole@rndc.org