Crisis Communications Experts
Winuk Communications has great depth and decades of experience in supporting companies and organizations facing crisis situations and navigating challenging issues, whether internally or in the marketplace. In such cases clients count on our agency to be strategic, responsive, creative, resourceful and at-the-ready to provide round-the-clock support to senior management and boards of directors as needed and appropriate.
Agency President Jay Winuk was invited to write this article offering crisis communications counsel to organizations navigating the challenges presented by the rising COVID-19 pandemic.
While the article is geared to nonprofits, much of the content applies to any kind of organization faced with figuring out how to most effectively communicate with its constituencies during this crisis.
As examples, Winuk has provided crisis communications and issues management support to:
senior management of a legendary summer resort and educational community facing widespread criticism for plans to demolish and replace a beloved 140-year-old live performance venue
a nationally-known law firm in the wake of numerous high-profile airplane crashes in the United States and locations around the world
a world-renowned entertainment venue, faced with crises such as the last-minute cancellation of performances by one of the top performing artists in the world, ticket scalping issues and more
a team of law firms in multiple U.S. markets advocating for passage of federal legislation that would allow victims of terrorism to seek justice in the U.S. court system, and the pursuit of those cases on behalf of thousands of such victims
an association representing more than 100 member organizations facing substantial budget cuts from the state government, funding critical to the association’s service to its member organizations and the tens of thousands of elderly people those organizations serve
new management of a famous outdoor concert venue faced with negative publicity and community backlash about the institution of new policies affecting attendees of musical performances
a well-known university and its public radio station grappling with the sudden death of a prominent and beloved award-recipient, the night before the awards ceremony
a school district faced with widely publicized, damaging accounts of a racial incident involving students and spectators at a sporting event
a major school bus transportation company, whose reputation and a multi-million dollar contract renewal were in serious jeopardy when one of its union drivers was found to be driving students erratically and potentially under the influence of alcohol. The community was understandably outraged and the incident was generating substantial negative media coverage. The CEO of the bus company, which transports tens of thousands of students daily in multiple districts and otherwise had a decades-long stellar reputation, recruited Winuk Communications for strategic and media relations counsel, message development and editorial services.
a nonprofit organization’s board of directors that was forcing the removal from service a popular, long-term executive director of that organization
a longtime nonprofit organization serving a residential population of traumatized youth facing negative media coverage and misperceptions from the local community about safety, security and other issues
a well-known nonprofit animal rights and rescue organization’s executive director and board, grappling with the alleged fiscal irresponsibility and other negative activities of its founder, compromising the organization’s public reputation and potential future viability
“Winuk Communications brought an expertise to our school district, and thus our town, that we had not had before and which we desperately needed when a crisis hit. The aftershock of a bad public incident was spiraling out of control, and we were facing tough scrutiny by the media and from several other constituencies. The team stepped in and immediately helped calm the waters and provide a clear pathway to constructive action. Our community greatly benefited from Winuk’s spot-on strategic counsel, excellent media relations and writing skills, and thoughtful, creative approach. The agency is a quick study, highly accessible, and immediately and seamlessly became a trusted, integral player on our team of government officials, educators and business leaders tasked with tackling this crisis. Winuk brought an essential outside perspective to our challenges, providing both a short- and long-term vision of what needed to be done and how to do it. I would highly recommend Winuk to anyone facing a crisis communications challenge or for any kind of public relations needs.”
—Thomas J. Manko
Superintendent of Schools
Mahopac Central School District
Additional Focus Areas
-
Legal
Our Legal PR experience is diverse, extensive and award-winning. Learn more about our strategic communications, media relations and editorial support in the legal field.
-
Healthcare
Our experience includes work for hospitals, medical colleges, pharmaceuticals, private medical practices, cancer-related initiatives, mental health, healthcare technology and consumer wellness.
-
Non Profit
Winuk Communications has provided public relations support to a diverse group of nonprofit organizations and cause-related initiatives for more than 25 years.es here