Crisis Communications
The best way to handle a crisis is to have a plan in place before one occurs. Do you and your organization know what information needs to be communicated in the event of an emergency, who it needs to be shared with, and details need to be included? We would always prefer to be proactive, but sometimes circumstances dictate reactive crisis communications. ChiefCom can help you create a plan before the crisis occurs, and help you negotiate the turbulent times after it has happened. We have helped organizations communicate effectively with their stakeholders about a variety of crisis situations including shootings, fatal bus accidents, fires, and yes, even a pandemic.
Community Engagement
Does your organization need to be responsive to the members of your community? Do you need to hear what people have to say? Public approval and buy-in are important for many different organizations, particularly those that depend on taxpayer support of their efforts. Whether it’s a simple online survey or a series of town hall meetings, ChiefCom can help you with the planning, launch, and logistics of a wide variety of community engagement efforts. We have compiled the feedback of thousands of engaged participants for a variety of programs ranging from strategic planning efforts to ballot initiatives.
Communication Audits
Are you and your company communicating effectively with all of your different audiences? What information do your customers and employees and want, and how do they want to receive it? Are you using video and social media channels to create a more engaging conversation? Is your communication only one-way, or are you using two-way communication to help drive your organization forward? At ChiefCom, we have helped organizations communicate more effectively by taking an objective look at the current state of their communications systems and providing options that increase the amount of useful information that reaches their intended audiences.
Tax Levy/Bond Issue Campaigns
Taxing entities like school districts, fire districts, ambulance districts, sewer districts, etc. need voter approval to levy additional taxes or sell municipal bonds. Our staff at ChiefCom has a proven track record of leading successful campaigns that have raised hundreds of millions of dollars for these organizations. In 2020, CEO Matt Deichmann led the PR and marketing campaign that passed the largest bond issue in the history of Missouri schools. Proposition S passed with 80% voter approval, allowing the Francis Howell School district to sell almost a quarter billion dollars of bonds for school improvements.
Media Relations
At ChiefCom, we know what the media wants and how they work – because we used to be them! As former (Emmy winning) journalists, we know how to tell your story, and how to pitch it to share it across multiple platforms. We can help you with those friendly and not-so-friendly media inquiries. We also offer media training, to help you and other company officials perform better during interviews. We have lots of experience on both sides of the camera, so we can provide insight into what questions may be asked and why, and help you be more effective in sharing information and making the points you want to make.
Social Media
Audience demographics are changing, and we are changing the way we communicate with them. Any company or organization that does not have a comprehensive social media strategy and associated platforms is missing out on potentially millions of customers/patrons/viewers. Owned media channels like social also provide a way to communicate directly with stakeholders without depending on traditional media like TV, radio, and newspapers. And, as a two-way communication platform, social media also provides an opportunity to receive feedback directly and immediately from stakeholders.
Speech Writing
In a recent poll, Americans said their greatest fear was death – followed closely by public speaking (hopefully these people don’t have to deliver a eulogy any time soon). At ChiefCom, we can help ease those fears by creating insightful, funny, and touching copy for any speaking situation. With a brief interview to establish important talking points, we can flesh out a speech for any occasion!
Strategic Planning
For many organizations, the comprehensive strategic plan is the roadmap to success. At ChiefCom, we have facilitated this process for multiple organizations. The three biggest questions in the process are:
• What is our current reality – where are we now?
• Where do we want our organization to be, what do we want?
• How do we get there?
We can handle the logistics, communications, surveys, and community engagement that are required for a robust process that includes stakeholder feedback.
Video Production
Our Emmy winning production team can take your concept from rough idea to polished finished product, and help you tell your story more effectively. Multiple studies indicate that videos are the best way to engage audiences on your website or social media platforms. We provide the writing, production, videography, directing, and editing required to create a video that effectively communicates your message to your audience.