emPOWER is APCO’s proprietary software-based crisis role-playing game that tests users’ crisis response capabilities and allows organizations to develop and refine crisis management skills. Learn more.
Crisis & Litigation Management
More than ever before, organizations are judged today by how they plan for, respond to and manage crises and risk.
Key stakeholders judge an organization not only on how it manages risk, but how it effectively recovers its reputation after an incident occurs.
Clients engage with us for three reasons:
Unrivaled value
Insights
Establish a market edge by uncovering both your hidden opportunities and reputation threats with APCO’s proprietary methodologies and innovative research.
Modeling
Seize your marketplace opportunities and mitigate your reputation threats by combining intense scenario planning with APCO’s proven risk analysis.
Preparation
Protect your reputation during a crisis and boost post-crisis recovery with scenario-specific response materials and leading-edge simulation training.
Activation
Protect your reputation during a crisis and boost post-crisis recovery with scenario-specific response materials and leading-edge simulation training.
Case studies
- Largest Furniture Recall in U.S. History
Helping a multinational furniture company develop and implement a new safety campaign to raise awareness around its products and re-earn trust among consumers.
The Challenge
A multinational furniture retail company took the initiative to help reduce the number of tip-over accidents by raising awareness of the need to secure furniture to the wall. Although the retail company had included tip-over restraints with its furniture and assembly instructions, the company felt it could do more to prevent such accidents.
The Solution
The furniture retail company worked with the CPSC on the tip-over issue due to numerous reports of injuries and even deaths related to chest of drawers. Following reports of the death a seventh child involving a dresser, the company voluntarily launched one of the largest recalls in history.
With APCO’s support, the company launched a media blitz, with media engagement efforts resulting in widespread print and digital coverage.
The company’s president appeared on numerous top tier broadcast outlets via satellite. APCO produced broadcast, print and digital ads and managed a nationwide ad campaign promoting the recall message, in additional to social media engagement, in-store signage and videos and information on the company website. The company also reached out to key stakeholders, including safety groups, regulators and Members of Congress to ensure they were aware of the company’s efforts.
In addition to the recall, the company was also being sued by several of the impacted families. Like much of APCO’s crisis-related work, APCO’s crisis response involved close coordination with the company’s outside counsel.
The Result
The communication efforts around the tip-over safety campaign and recall were enormously successful and resulted in hundreds of million media impressions, widespread social media engagements, and millions of products returned or repaired. In addition, it improved the relationship between the company and the CPSC and other stakeholders.
- Navigating State Investigations for a Major Food Manufacturing Company
Stakeholder communications was the crux of the strategy for this global brand in its efforts to reach an agreement with state officials.
The Challenge
A global food company’s Board of Directors was facing an investigation from the Office of the Attorney General in their state. The OAG was investigating claims of alleged overcompensation of Board members, term limits that exceed a decade, reimbursements for excessive travel expenses, and conflicts of interest.
The Solution
APCO was retained by the Board to serve as trusted counselors and received a full briefing by legal counsel before assisting the company.
APCO prepared a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan. The APCO team also prepared all the stakeholder communications materials such as statements, press releases, and letters to the community in anticipation for an announcement of an agreement with the OAG.
While the OAG investigation was ongoing, the company faced further issues internally and APCO’s team created a strong media plan to address these issues while the investigation was still going on.
The Result
An agreement was ultimately reached with OAG, which included changes to Board term limits, compensation, selection requirements, and the nomination process.
The agreement received top-tier media coverage including all the largest national networks.
The APCO team continues to manage communications for the Board related to bids, resignation of members, corruption charges, nominations and elections, and development issues as well as ongoing media monitoring and re-branding efforts.
- An American Athletic Association Responds to Sexual Misconduct
Faced with allegations of sexual misconduct by one of its physicians, an athletic association turned to APCO to help manage response to one of the largest sexual abuse scandals in sports history.
The Challenge
What started as a major athletic organization seeking general communications support and specific assistance around its bankruptcy filings, turned into a full-blown crisis response effort over allegations of sexual misconduct by its physicians.
The Solution
APCO initially provided media statements, internal communications materials, and media strategic advice in connection with reports of an ongoing investigation. APCO realized the discursive need in distinguishing between false narratives that filing for bankruptcy was an effort to avoid paying claims, when the reality was consolidating the claims into a single court.
APCO assisted in the movement to “change the narrative” around this organization’s particular hardships, demonstrating the changes and progress that has been made. This included enhanced safety procedures around training and a newly elected board.
APCO also assisted in effectively communicating news about the new CEO of the association.
The Result
APCO was able to provide assistance in changing the narrative to highlight areas of success. APCO highlighted the organization’s enhanced safety procedures and the roll out of a new board of directors. Recently, APCO succeeded in communicating the hire of a new CEO, who received a positive response by media and the athletic community as a whole.
Areas of expertise: Crisis preparation & response, litigation communication, issues management.
For crisis help, please contact us via:
Crisis360@apcoworldwide.com
+1.866.360.APCO (toll-free)
+1.866.483.2726 (international)
+1.202.478.3807
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