Consultation, crisis response for crude oil pipeline spill that impacted 6 land miles and 19 miles of river. A multi-agency Incident Command Center provided communication support and daily media alerts to provide accurate information and minimize speculation regarding the amounts of oil released, cause of the leak and environmental damage. Provided support in advance of potential class action lawsuits.

Consultation and crisis response for a plant that renders waste from chicken processing facilities into proteins used in pet foods. After years of dealing with the state Department of Environmental Quality on wastewater issues, and coming to an agreement on fines, the Environmental Protection Agency stepped in with indictments of the company as well as individual board members alleging environmental crimes. Objective: Affirm cooperation with regulatory authorities and that there was no long-term impact. Provide one voice for the facility, its’ shareholder companies and individuals indicted and in a manner which supports legal strategy.

Media relations and event planning for a major initiative backed by a corporate sponsor to reduce the number of dropouts among state high school students.

Media relations with CNBC in New York on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina to garner coverage for a large coastal banking system that not only weathered the storm, but thrived in its wake. Objective: Convey positive company news to analyst and investor community.

Community affairs, media relations and government relations for a leading forest products company relating to lawsuits, trials and regulatory problems resulting from dioxin in wastewater discharge. Ongoing communications support from initial fishing advisory and bans, through lawsuits, trials, the appeal process and final resolution in favor of the company. Objective: Protect and rebuild a damaged company image by positioning the company as concerned about the environment and as a major economic asset and creator of jobs, and by challenging unfounded “junk science.”

Coordinated logistics and event planning, along with media relations for announcement of state’s first automotive manufacturing facility, and generator of 4,000 jobs.

Community affairs, media relations and government relations for a technology firm seeking a permit to build and operate a hazardous waste treatment facility. Objective: Support efforts to obtain a permit to construct a facility by building community, regulatory and industry support.

Community relations for one of the world's largest waste management companies to assist in the permitting process for waste disposal facilities, including medical waste incineration and solid waste landfill projects. Objective: Support permitting efforts through community relations.

Communications consultation, support and regional assessment for major pulp and paper company seeking revision in water quality standards for dissolved oxygen in major river in Louisiana and Arkansas. Objective: Provide communications platform for revision process to explain rationale for change and alleviate concerns of state regulators, environmental groups and community residents.

A local real estate investment trust received accolades when it was named among the top-performing companies in the United States, a hefty honor for a relatively small company located in a mid-sized city. Media relations efforts yielded an article in the Wall Street Journal.

Public relations counsel and community relations support for major petro-chemical company and pipeline company relating to contamination in a rural area. Objective: Avoid undue concern and attention by providing accurate information to affected property owners and community leaders about the long-term assessment of the site, reinforcing close oversight and differentiating this issue from a similar site located nearby.

Community assessment (research into local concerns, business opportunities, political climate, etc.) for a hazardous waste recycling company. Objective: To make strategic plans concerning the future potential problems of a transfer station located in former industrial area rapidly changing into a retail business district.

Media relations, event planning and site logistics for the International Ballet Competition, held annually and attended by dancers from countries throughout the world.

Communication and media relations consultation with legal counsel and senior management of major chemical company related to a nitrogen tetroxide release from an overloaded rail car at a customer’s plant site, resulting in a 3-day evacuation of a town. Objectives: Protect and rebuild company image as manufacturer of the product, communicate accurate information to differentiate the chemical company’s limited involvement and authority in emergency response from the actions and inactions of the customer.

Community and media relations support communications for a forest products company after a major fish kill in a river due to release of oxygen-depleting materials from a holding pond. Objective: Rebuild the company image by demonstrating company concern at the highest levels and a commitment to protect the environment.

Media relations and a public education advertising campaign, focusing on home fire safety and responsible practices of natural gas (sponsored by a major utility).

Community and media relations for a cement manufacturer to assist in the permitting process for the use of hazardous waste derived fuel in a cement plant. Objective: Support permitting efforts by creating community support and alleviating health concerns.

Consultation to assist a medical waste company when falsely cited by a pro-life organization for accepting and improperly disposing aborted fetuses. Objective: Correct erroneous information and minimize negative reaction.

Statewide public education program for Mississippi Manufacturers Association on the need for hazardous waste disposal facilities in Mississippi. Objective: Educate targeted publics to precondition them to accept (or at least not fight) legislation to allow applications for the siting of hazardous waste facilities in the state needed by industry to protect jobs and the environment.

Consultation and communication support for a large banking system acquiring two banks from a holding company and entering into a highly competitive market. Upon regulatory and shareholder approval of the acquisition, one of the acquired banks will become a part of the larger organization, while the other will retain its identity as a community bank. Objective: Instill employee confidence and retain depositors while positively positioning the acquisition among analysts.

Consultation to assist a large bank with media and employee relations during the acquisition of another banking system. Objective: Instill customer confidence and retain depositors.

Issues management and support consultation for a bank holding company involving the forced resignation/termination of a long-time community bank president. Objective: Allay employee concerns, assist in announcement of new president and retain depositors.

Strategic planning, consultation and integrated (media relations, advertising, direct mail, personal briefings and website) communication support to employees, investors, dealers/distributions and customers related to the reorganization and restructuring of a major publicly traded agribusiness. Communication of the consolidation of three brands under one unified corporate banner and layoffs related to closure of certain facilities and change in sales structure. Objectives: Protect shareholder value by directly communicating accurate information across various audiences, conduct sensitive employee communications for those exiting and staying with the company, allay concerns about availability of product among customers, dealers and distributors. Position the reorganization as providing the company with a competitive advantage and minimize speculation.

Develop a response to a lawsuit against a large banking system over collateral protection insurance, which resulted initially in a very large judgment against the bank. Consultation and planning in response to Wall Street Journal coverage and 60 Minutes coverage. Objective: Protect shareholder value by preventing loss of consumer confidence and minimize impact on marketing efforts by positioning the bank as a responsible corporation.

Crisis response and issues management for a bank during a 9-hour hostage situation at a downtown branch where a gunman held 13 employees and customers. Objectives: Assure accurate communication, assistance in notification of next of kin, coordination with law enforcement and establishment of ‘family room’ and counselors for employees and victims’ families. Position the organization as cooperative and the situation as an isolated incident with a positive outcome. Protect the confidentiality and privacy of victims.

Consultation, strategic response planning, development of messages and media training for major company facing race discrimination lawsuit and publicity generated by plaintiff attorney. Objective: Serve as counsel and coordinator to assure cohesive response among facility, legal counsel, regional office and company headquarters in an effort to address employee concerns, contain media coverage to the local area and prepare in the event of national media interest.

Consultation and communication support to announce the sudden resignation of the chief executive officer/executive director of a major medical center. Objective: Reassure employees, physicians and staff there was no wrongdoing and avoid negative publicity/accusations.

Consultation and communication support to announce the resignation of the chief executive officer of a publicly traded financial services company due to illness. Objective: Reassure employees, analysts and shareholders of the experience and capability of the remaining management team.

Communications planning and execution for an insurance company whose reputation was jeopardized after initially being named in a federal investigation of a competitor. Objective: Reassure stockholders and policyholders of financial stability of the company; communicate to the media and other key audiences the facts about the investigation.

Strategic planning, coalition building, message development and media relations for communications campaign to defeat a proposed term limits initiative. Objective: Drive dialogue across the state to allow full discussion/disclosure regarding concerns and questions about potential devastating impact of the proposed amendment as written.

In conjunction with legal counsel, developed a communications plan and key messages for use by a major Mississippi college after the forced resignation and investigation of the long-term college president on allegations of embezzlement and misuse of college funds. Objective: Protect the institutional image by focusing attention on positive activities of the board and new administration.

Consultation and assistance to Mayor’s Office and city officials in response to a workplace violence incident at a fire department resulting in four fatalities, five wounded and public outcry by local union. Objective: Serve as third party counsel to aid in message development and city activities in the wake of the tragedy, prepare to respond to possible national media attention and make announcements regarding resignations of surviving top fire department managers.

PR counsel to assist a large non-profit economic development agency in publicly defending actions that were criticized by the media and the state legislature. Objective: Help organization rebuild damaged reputation to restore effectiveness.

Develop and implement within four days a strategic communications plan for the internal and external announcement of planned sale of a private, not-for-profit hospital in a local city. Objective: Positively position the sale to a for-profit hospital corporation among key internal and external audiences, including community leaders.

Crisis response for hospital subsidiary after a gunman entered the workplace and began shooting, hitting one employee, and then leaving. Objective: Avoid linkage of the event to hospital’s main campus while providing measured response and support to victims and families, employee debriefing and media relations.