Crisis Communications: Bringing Calm to the Chaos
Julie Thannum, APR
Effective crisis communications involves more than reputation management; it’s crucial for establishing and maintaining trust while ensuring organizational resilience. Join Julie Thannum, APR, and Justin Dearing, APR, as we explore best practices and strategic approaches to crisis communications planning and response. This webinar will cover key elements of an effective crisis communication plan, how to anticipate potential crises, proactive strategies to focus on before, during and after a crisis, the importance of clear messaging and timely communication and leveraging social media and digital platforms during a crisis. Participants will learn to navigate through turbulent times with confidence by transforming chaos into clarity with the goal of emerging from the storm stronger than ever.
Julie Thannum, APR, has more than 30 years of experience working as a strategic problem-solver and communications advisor. She believes truth and transparency, over time, build trust. Prior to joining CESO Communications in 2021, Julie served as the assistant superintendent for board and community relations for a high-performing K-12 public school district in the Dallas-Fort Worth (TX) area. Her work includes launching the inaugural communication programs in two successful Texas districts. Julie successfully shaped a struggling marketing program at her district into a stable, yet profitable, revenue stream and found creative solutions to school budget stress by first strengthening employee relations and then engaging all staff in the budget reduction process. She specializes in mentoring and coaching school leaders to effectively incorporate sound communication strategies into their everyday work. Julie has extensive experience in crisis communications and school safety, as well as community engagement and policy development. She is skilled in conflict resolution and helps guide school leadership teams through problem-solving while building stronger, more meaningful relationships. Having served as president of both the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) in 2016-2017 and the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) from 2000-2001, Julie remains active in both organizations. In July 2022, Julie was honored with NSPRA’s Presidents’ Award. She is a frequent presenter at local, state and national conferences on the topics of ethics in educational leadership, school safety and strategic communications through research, planning, implementation and evaluation.
