--- title: Three golden rules for how to effectively engage with media in a crisis description: Three golden rules for how to effectively engage with media in a crisis image: https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/hs-fs/file-3403287894-jpg/blog-files/bigstock-protect-from-crisis-61232255.jpg --- [![Bluechip_Logo](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/325503/Bluechip%20Assets/Images/Bluechip_Logo.svg "Bluechip_Logo")](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/) ![Search-9](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/hubfs/BlueChip%20website/Bluechip%20Assets/Images/Search-9.svg "Search-9") ![Close Icon (3)-1](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/hubfs/Bluechip%20Assets/Images/Close%20Icon%20(3)-1.svg "Close Icon (3)-1") This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ** ![Close Icon (3)](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/325503/Bluechip%20Assets/Images/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg "Close Icon (3)") ##### Knowledge Shared # Insights ##### All Articles ![](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/hubfs/BlueChip%20website/Bluechip%20Assets/Images/down-filled-triangular-arrow.png) - [Financial Services (168)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/financial-services) - [Public Relations (133)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/public-relations) - [Marketing (111)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/marketing) - [Social Media (101)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/social-media) - [Integrated Marketing (87)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/integrated-marketing) - [Reputation Management (79)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/reputation-management) - [Crisis Management (61)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/crisis-management) - [Growth (46)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/growth) - [Profile (41)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/profile) - [COVID-19 (40)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/covid-19) - [Protect (14)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/protect) - [BC Team (9)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/bc-team) - [Blog (7)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/blog) - [Leadership communication (6)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/leadership-communication) - [Cyber Security (3)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/cyber-security) - [Client In The News (2)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/client-in-the-news) [Client In The News](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/client-in-the-news) ### [Melos Sulicich shares SME success tips on Money News’ “Let’s Talk Business”](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/melos-sulicich-shares-sme-success-tips-on-money-news-lets-talk-business) Melos Sulicich, CEO of Bank of Sydney was interviewed by 2GB’s Money News "Let's Talk Business" segment with Scott Haywood. He shared tips for family-run businesses to make sure ev... [Client In The News](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/client-in-the-news) ### [Target hostile countries, not us, drug giant CSL tells Trump](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/target-hostile-countries-not-us-drug-giant-csl-tells-trump) This is an extract from an article written by Michael Smith and Jessica Gardner in The Australian Financial Review. Published on the 10th July 2025. “It is weighing on the share pr... - ##### [Public Relations](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/public-relations) - ##### [Crisis Management](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/crisis-management) ## [Three golden rules for how to effectively engage with media in a crisis](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/keep-calm-and-call-a-pr-conference-how-to-effectively-engage-with-media-in-a-crisis/) ###### By Carden Calder ###### 06 Mar 2014 [Social Media](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/social-media) [Financial Services](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/financial-services) [Growth](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/growth) ##### [Reaching High Net Worth Individuals Through Social Media Marketing in 2025](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/how-target-high-net-worth-individuals-social-media) [Public Relations](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/public-relations) [Reputation Management](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/reputation-management) [Crisis Management](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/crisis-management) ##### [The Science of Crisis Communication: Proactive and Reactive Strategies](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/proactive-and-reactive-crisis-communication-strategies) [Profile](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/profile) ##### [Affluence. Effluence. Influence. Do you know the difference?](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/affluence-effluence-influence-do-you-know-the-difference/) [Public Relations](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/public-relations) [Reputation Management](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/reputation-management) [Crisis Management](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/crisis-management) ##### [Introduction to Crisis Communication](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/introduction-to-crisis-communication) # Insights. [Back to all articles](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog) - Share - [![](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/hubfs/Bluechip%20Assets/Images/facebook.svg) ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bluechipcommunication.com.au%2Fblog%2Fkeep-calm-and-call-a-pr-conference-how-to-effectively-engage-with-media-in-a-crisis%2F) - [![](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/hubfs/Bluechip%20Assets/Images/linked%20in.svg) ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/keep-calm-and-call-a-pr-conference-how-to-effectively-engage-with-media-in-a-crisis/) - [![](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/hubfs/Bluechip%20Assets/Images/twitter-1.svg) ](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bluechipcommunication.com.au%2Fblog%2Fkeep-calm-and-call-a-pr-conference-how-to-effectively-engage-with-media-in-a-crisis%2F) [![Protect From Crisis](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/hs-fs/file-3403287894-jpg/blog-files/bigstock-protect-from-crisis-61232255.jpg?width=740&height=634&name=bigstock-protect-from-crisis-61232255.jpg)](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/hs-fs/file-3403287894-jpg/blog-files/bigstock-protect-from-crisis-61232255.jpg) When a crisis hits a company, proactivity is the key. If handled well, a crisis can serve as an opportunity to show the world that your company is responsible and human rather than disorganised and uncaring. In today’s networked world, the necessity for open, honest and ongoing communication is paramount to maintaining a strong profile amongst customers and stakeholders and consequently a strong and stable business performance. In the financial services industry, where information security, trust and credibility are more important than ever, chances are you will need some form of crisis communication. The response of a company’s spokespeople during a crisis can either make or break a company’s reputation, and as we’ve seen with Alan Joyce’s Qantas journey, how well a company’s CEO comes across in the media strongly reflects a company’s perception in the public eye. For companies in the areas of the healthcare, hi-tech, banking or aerospace industries, it’s less about *if* you will have a crisis and more about *when*. So here are three key tenets for facing the media when a crisis occurs: 1. Be prepared. Have a predefined crisis communication plan in place that clearly outlines guiding principles for messaging, communication protocols and designated spokespeople. 2. Be responsive. In a crisis, time is of the essence so acknowledging the problem immediately and disclosing the issue and potential risks to customers or stakeholders can be the difference between mitigating extensive brand reputation damage and ruining it! Constant and transparent communication is the key. 3. Care and capability. Don’t be indifferent. The public must perceive that the organisation’s leadership team is capable of solving the problem, and most importantly, wants to solve it for the greater good of its stakeholders. This presents a key challenge for spokesperson/spokespeople to exude competence in the media spotlight. The best way for spokespeople to gain credibility is to concede, rather than defend, which means acknowledging the problem and demonstrating confidence and commitment to solving the problem quickly. [![New call-to-action](https://hubspot-no-cache-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/537730/431002e3-250a-4808-8e24-851fccc589ac.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/537730/431002e3-250a-4808-8e24-851fccc589ac) [![how to drive your fame agenda](https://hubspot-no-cache-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/537730/353fa2e0-53b3-407b-b7b3-d03aa771c86d.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-ap1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/537730/353fa2e0-53b3-407b-b7b3-d03aa771c86d) ## Related Posts [Public Relations](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/public-relations) [Reputation Management](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/reputation-management) [Crisis Management](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/crisis-management) ###### 14 May 2024 #### [The Science of Crisis Communication: Proactive and Reactive Strategies](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/proactive-and-reactive-crisis-communication-strategies) [Public Relations](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/public-relations) [Reputation Management](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/reputation-management) [Financial Services](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/financial-services) [Protect](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/protect) ###### 10 April 2024 #### [Navigating Regulatory Waters: Friend or Food? How To Stay Ahead in Financial Services](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/navigating-regulatory-changes-financial-services) [Public Relations](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/public-relations) [Financial Services](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/financial-services) ###### 27 March 2024 #### [Maximise your PR Partnership: 5 Tips for Successful Collaboration](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/maximising-your-pr-partnership) [Public Relations](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/public-relations) [Reputation Management](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/reputation-management) [Crisis Management](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/crisis-management) ###### 07 March 2024 #### [Introduction to Crisis Communication](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/introduction-to-crisis-communication) [Public Relations](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/public-relations) [Crisis Management](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/crisis-management) [Profile](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/profile) [Leadership communication](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/leadership-communication) ###### 21 February 2024 #### [Talking to the media? Sean Aylmer shares his top 5 tips](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/talking-to-the-media-5-tips) [Public Relations](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/public-relations) [Profile](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/profile) [Leadership communication](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/topic/leadership-communication) ###### 03 August 2023 #### [Sonder and Leadership: Realising We're All in This Together](https://www.bluechipcommunication.com.au/blog/sonder-and-leadership) ## Stay up to date ### Marketing insights you’ll want to read. Sign up for our newsletter ## Stay up to date ### Marketing insights you’ll want to read. 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