Social media and mobile technology have definitely been a key growing area of focus in both research and practice for crisis communications and public relations professionals. From analyzing the tweet updates shared during a disaster like the Japanese Tsunami or even the current situations that the US has faced with the deadly and horrific tornadoes hitting the Midwest (Missouri) and South (Alabama).
From breaking news about national security issues as well as Twitter and Facebook updates heard around the world (Kenneth Cole and Cairo update) to posting YouTube videos of inappropriate behavior (Domino’s) – all of these crises provide crisis communication professional opportunities to study and explore these issues and construct best practices for corporations, businesses, and individuals in various fields. All of these corporations were missing key elements that were necessary to communicate with social media. There are certain things that every crisis plan should have when it comes to social media – however, the key is to make sure to use the right platform that is reaching your specific audience in a transparent, consistent, and timely manner.
CDC Emergency Plan for a Zombie Apocalypse
One of the main organizations and agencies that has been deemed as being a leader and very proactive in handling various issues and crises with social media has been the CDC. Not only are they active with their updates on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media outlets – they are willing to share their knowledge with the community by providing a great toolkit on the subject as well as training in emergency and crisis situations (natural disasters to name one type of crisis). Of course, you never know either if you will be faced with a zombie apocalypse – it may happen, well – at least the CDC has an emergency plan just in case. 🙂
Interesting trends and future implications for social media need to be examined – especially in a crisis situation.
Karen Freberg (me) recently wrote:
ranging from the use of Twitter to the focus on sharing information based on topic and through multiple channels. The role of social media being integrated into social games to contribute and donate to relief efforts for the victims of the disaster are also explained in the paper. The evolution of mobile technology, use of crowdsourcing to share information and bypassing the gatekeepers, and the opportunities and challenges of digital curators and storytellers in a crisis situation are just a few areas that need to be researched and discussed further within the PR and Crisis Communications community.
Hope you all are having a great day!
Best Wishes,
Karen
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