Fail to Plan...Plan to Fail

Just returned from a very interesting North Central NAMA program in Minneapolis. Representatives from Padilla Spear Beardsley and Weber Shandwick discussed the need for a Crisis Communications Plan. They cited two very interesting examples. One was a case history of a client who had a very detailed crisis communications plan in place, and had practiced it several times to perfect it. The other was a client who didn't see the need for the time and expense to develop such a plan. Both clients had crisis incidents--one a contaminant spill, the other a fire, both of which presented potential environmental impact. The client with the formal crisis communication plan in place was able to carefully manage the news surrounding the incident, while the client without a plan couldn't contain the story, which eventually spun out of control significantly damaging the reputation of the company. Does your organization have a formal crisis communications plan in place? Like a good insurance policy it will provide valuable protection during an emergency. Let me know if you'd like to visit with Bryan Bjerke, our Public Relations Director here at Paulsen to discuss a Crisis Communications plan for your company.

Also had the opportunity to visit with our friends at Bock and Associates, a media rep firm in Eden Prairie, MN. We spent some time discussing the ag economic outlook and the trend for today's media plans to include digital strategies as a key component of almost all ag media plans. I know it's a topic that's getting a great deal of time and attention at our agency as well.

Thankfully, we have some very knowledgeable people here that understand the value and importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and the role of Social Media in an overall marketing plan. I would never have believed how much the Internet would impact and change the advertising agency business. Most certainly, it's a whole new ball game.  

Maybe they CAN teach an old dog, new tricks--at least they're trying!

More news from "On the Road" next week as we meet with our good friends at Integra Seeds in Ames, IA.