Pandemic Flu Communications

Applying Lessons Learned from the Swine Flu Outbreak to Your Communications Strategy

On-Demand

Whether the 2009 H1N1 Influenza A virus (aka Swine Flu) situation sickens large numbers of people this fall and winter or remains a relatively minor outbreak, the lessons learned today can help prepare for improved public information tomorrow. The U.S. public health apparatus has been in high gear keeping government leaders, health professionals and the public informed to reduce the potential spread of the disease, as well as misinformation and panic. However, many have found that their agencies or organizations are not adequately prepared. They are learning that their crisis plans need updating in light of the success of some organizations, and failures of others to adequately meet public information demands. 

Our two experts will discuss:

•  What are some organizations doing to keep their publics informed about the current pandemic.
• What are the challenges and appropriate strategies for addressing large scale, fast moving and ongoing situations.
• How to strike the right tone between appropriate precaution while avoiding panic.
• How to communicate quickly in a world dominated by tweets, social media, and blogs.
• How to coordinate between different agencies and organizations critical to an effective response.
• How to keep up a constant flow of updates when websites crash under the load and when IT restrictions slow your efforts.
• How to monitor for rumors, misinformation and how you can respond quickly when these are identified.
• How this ?crisis? differs from other types and what it means for communicators and front line responders And if the worst happens, how you can do your work while maintaining social distance.

Instructor

Gerald Baron is the founder and CEO of PIER Systems, the leading provider of crisis communication management technology. Previously, Baron was a regional magazine publisher, co-founder of a successful vertical market software company and a university professor. He is the founder and president of Baron & Company, a marketing and PR firm serving the Pacific Northwest. Mr. Baron served as the spokesperson during the early stages of the 1999 Olympic Pipeline explosion in Bellingham, Washington. As a result of this, and other crisis events, Baron designed a crisis communication technology, intended for immediate dissemination of the right information to interested stakeholders. This technology is currently being used by the US Coast Guard, many leading oil companies, academic institutions across the United States, and industry leaders such as Boeing and Allstate, and state and regional Departments of Emergency Management. Baron has written several books, including the completely revised and updated “Now Is Too Late2”, and has maintained an actively followed crisis management and communications blog –Crisisblogger.com

Stephen L. Davidow, president, Davidow Communications, Inc., has more than 20 years experience in health care communications.  Stephen is an expert on hospital crisis communications preparation.  He headed up communications preparations for Loyola University Medical Center’s involvement in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s $16 billion TOPOFF2 international disaster exercise.  He also has worked with several clients over the years prepare for and respond to a variety of natural and organizational crises.  Stephen is a former board member of PRSA’s Health Academy and has led several sessions on crisis communications for PRSA’s Health Academy, including Mega-Disasters: Lessons from Katrina and Rita.

Playback registration available.

Pre-recorded on:
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Member $150 / Non-Member $150

Health Academy Section Member $85

APR Accreditation Maintenance Credits Approved: 1.0

Participants earn 1.0 APR Accreditation Maintenance Credits for a teleseminar. For more information on APR Accreditation Maintenance Credits, visit http://www.prsa.org/Learning/Accreditation.

HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THE ON-DEMAND PLAYBACK
Only one registration per site is required. The Play-Back for this event starts at midnight October 27, 2009 and runs through February 22, 2009. Your registration entitles you to one telephone connection. Invite as many people as you wish to listen on your speakerphone. Your purchase confirmation, sent via e-mail, includes one-time access to the Play-Back teleseminar and handouts.

Your confirmation will state that the access information is for the Play-Back only. There are no registration refunds available for the Play-Back registration once you've received your confirmation. Please be advised: The registrant only will receive an e-mail confirmation that gives instructions for joining the call. If you do not receive your confirmation within 5 days, please call 800-350-0111.