managing media relations: after disaster strikes
TRANSCRIPT
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
