Services

Crisis Response 

We are experts in crisis management response, with years of experience assisting organizations to prepare for and effectively handle events that can impact their reputation. A crisis, regardless of its size, can significantly affect an organization’s goodwill. We emphasize the importance of immediate and open communication with key audiences to set the tone of the response before the situation escalates.

Our team is skilled at managing media inquiries, providing timely and transparent responses, and training spokespeople to deliver your organization’s messages effectively and maintain control of the narrative. With a wealth of experience and a strategic mindset, we are a trusted partner to navigate organizations through challenging times and restore trust and goodwill among stakeholders.

Crisis Preparedness

While crises cannot always be prevented, they can be anticipated. Effective planning and training can go a long way toward ameliorating, or even avoiding, the potential damage to public perception a crisis can cause. A reliable crisis communication partner understands the organization’s culture, audiences, and voice, offering customized strategies to create positive outcomes among diverse audience segments. Regularly reviewing and updating crisis preparedness plans, and considering organizational changes, ensures the relevance and effectiveness of your strategy and allows your organization to be well-prepared for any potential challenges.

Our process includes an audit where we assess any current vulnerabilities, identify potential issues, and think ahead about possible crisis scenarios so that we may develop both honest and actionable plans that align with your brand’s voice and company values. 

Spokesperson Training

Our spokesperson training aims to equip executives and individuals representing organizations with practical communication skills for media interactions and public facing roles. Participants learn to understand their value, role and responsibilities within the company, gaining confidence not only in media exchanges but also in various interpersonal settings.

The sessions cover fundamentals of message delivery, media landscape, and skills required for spokespersons. Mock interviews and recorded exercises with playback and critique help prepare individuals to handle on and off-air interviews and anticipate questions from reporters and journalists. Participants also learn techniques for using body language and vocal delivery effectively. 

Lastly, this training instills confidence in spokespeople and brand representatives, enabling them to accurately represent their company’s views and beliefs during media interactions and handle unexpected situations professionally. 

Media Relations

Media relations is a powerful tool for building brand trust, increasing visibility, and achieving business objectives, making it relevant for a variety of organizations seeking to gain credibility and generate additional visibility. AKCG specializes in providing exceptional media relations services, offering forward-thinking pitches, securing meaningful media placements, and building relationships with key influencers. Our team develops targeted strategies to amplify our clients’ voices and drive brand awareness through strategic media placements across various platforms.

Working with a media relations expert like AKCG offers several benefits, including specialized knowledge of your industry, expertise in crafting compelling stories, and strong relationships with journalists and editors. 

Thought Leadership 

Thought leadership involves taking a bold stand, providing valuable content, and demonstrating expertise in a particular field to build trust and credibility with audiences. It requires strategic and consistent advocacy through various forms, such as guest columns, speaking opportunities, and content rich interviews. 

The benefits of a successful thought leadership program include bolstering your organization’s position in the market and building relationships with stakeholders. The success of a thought leadership strategy is then measured based on established goals, which may include increased visibility, brand recognition, and tangible business outcomes.

We work with clients to define their distinct industry position. Then, we build programs to amplify their position and influence attitudes and behaviors rather than simply attaining publicity for its own sake. Components of our thought leadership programs include developing forward thinking pitches, facilitating media opportunities, drafting bylined articles, tracking industry trends, and curating news releases. 

Naturally, our thought leadership programs are tailored to each client’s unique needs, with a strong focus on positioning our clients as industry experts and thought leaders to drive impactful and lasting media coverage.

Association Communications

AKCG specializes in assisting non-profit associations and other organizations that represent a wide variety of industries, professions, and charities in improving their reputations, increasing visibility, growing membership, rebranding when necessary, and raising overall revenue. We understand the unique communication challenges these organizations face, including stakeholders’ strong belief in their missions, the need to involve donors and members in communication programs, serving multiple internal and external stakeholders differently from private companies, and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

With extensive experience in this area, we have successfully tackled various challenges, such as commemorating anniversaries, communicating with stakeholders, managing certification program changes, and handling crises.