pr forum presentation us embassies crisis communications
TRANSCRIPT
Digital Diplomacy 2.0Communications in a Crisis
Digital Diplomacy?People increasingly turn to social media for news
Websites are no longer enoughThey are great repositories of informationGood spot for official information
The internet is changing the way our leaders actSome leaders begin to think about what they will
Tweet or what will be on Facebook
Decentralization
Communications in a CrisisYou cannot create mechanisms in the middle of a crisis
How does an embassy communicate internally?Telephone TreesSMS systemLine phonesMobile phonesRadiosVOIP (Skype etc.)Social mediaWhat’s App
Practice, practice, practice
Communications in a CrisisHow does an embassy communicate
externally?WebpageFacebookTwitterSMS systemWarden SystemRadio announcementsPartner organizations
Practice, practice, practice
2010 Haiti EarthquakeOne of the first major disasters where
social media played a role
Red Cross used social media to collect SMS donations as low as $5
Embassy learned new ways to keep up traditional media webpages, twitter social media
5 years later: Nepal Earthquake
Social media is helping to find missing people
Social media carried updates on how and where help was arrivingFedEx aircraft lands in Nepal with 100,000 lbs (CONVERT TO KGs) of emergency aid from DirectRelief, Heart to Hear and Watermissions
SMS messaging remains important… but now they carry photosAn UN infographic describing what donations will buy
Traditional media remains the most importantA Nepalese-American Airman speaks to reporters about relief efforts
Our bosses say…Make me a viral video:
Only videos with good content go viral
I want a Twitter presence:Not if it is three days late
I want more fans:If your content is interesting, relevant and
timely
Our bosses say…Social media is free:
Social media is free like a puppy – it requires feeding, attention and love
This is perfect for social media:Actually, that is boring and is better on the website
or maybe not at all…
We already have a website, why do we need social media?Our website is great for official information but the
usage statistics show it has low penetration rates
Lessons for PR practitionersBuilding the network ahead of time is
crucial for success when the crisis arrives
PR teams must be empowered to act with limited guidance
Information will never be complete--timely information matters more than ever
Old vs. the Young
Younger employees want to make a name for themselves and are willing to take more risk (risk tolerant)
Established leaders want to preserve their good name (risk averse)
Old vs. the Young (continued)Senior diplomats know digital engagement
is important but they don’t know why …and they don’t know what to do about it
There is often very little shared experience and priorities between these two groups
Bridging the gap between these groups is essential
Bridging the gapJust as back-channel conversations happen at
conferences like the Almaty PR Forum, younger employees must explain to leaders that similar conversations are happening online
Senior diplomats must be educated by younger diplomats: what platforms are good for what purposes
“Social media helps see the future” (learn what is on people’s minds before it is in the news)
Bridging the gap (continued)
Facebook is for people who think they used to know you
Twitter is to meet people you would like to know
Senior diplomats need to understand that a younger generation is trying to connect with them
Mistakes will happen…
Undersecretary of State Richard Stengel, (Chief of Public Diplomacy) uses incorrect hashtag
OOPS!!
Steps for successGive junior diplomats the permission to try
Unless there is a rule against it, you can do it
Headquarters can not approve everything. Devolve responsibility. Train and trust!
Mistakes will be made, and leaders must be prepared to forgive
Discussion
PHOTO OF A PUPPY
Social media is free like a puppy