Top Crisis Communications Firms
For related services, check out our global list of corporate communications firms or public relations companies.
-
Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Scottsdale, AZServices provided
Focus Areas
See all 27 projects10 to 1 Public Relations is a Public Relations agency with expertise in media relations, brand reputation, and corporate communications. They are praised for their thoroughness, timeliness, and effective communication, with 100% of reviewers noting their positive impact on media coverage and brand awareness. Clients consistently commend their project management skills and flexibility, with no substantial areas for improvement noted.
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Sarasota, FLServices provided
Focus Areas
See all 53 projectsNet Reputation is a public relations firm specializing in online reputation management, brand reputation, and media coverage suppression. The company consistently receives high ratings for its exceptional service, with 100% of reviewers highlighting its professionalism and effective communication. Positive feedback emphasizes their results-driven approach and commitment to customer satisfaction, with exemplary project management and responsiveness cited by 90% of clients.
$5,000+$200 - $300 / hr2 - 9Sewickley, PAServices provided
Focus Areas
See all 22 projectsAtlas Marketing is a communications firm specializing in PR, crisis management, and media relations. With a 100% positive feedback rate, clients commend their strategic focus and responsiveness, particularly in crisis communications and media training. Approximately 75% of reviewers highlight their ability to align with client values and address complex public affairs needs.
-
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Campbell River, Canada
Services provided
Focus Areas
Harris Greenaway Communications Ltd. Is a public relations company. They are based in Campbell River, Canada and have small team. Their services include Public Relations and Advertising.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Chicago, IL
Services provided
Focus Areas
Stomping Ground Strategies is a Digital Strategy company. They offer Digital Strategy and Social Media Marketing and were founded in 2020. The company is based in Chicago, Illinois.
Read more -
Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$1,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49San Francisco, CAServices provided
Focus Areas
See all 8 projectsReputation Defense Network is a specialized Public Relations firm focusing on brand reputation management and suppression of negative content across various industries. With consistently positive feedback from clients, they are commended for their swift action, effective strategies, and seamless communication. Approximately 100% of reviews highlight their expertise in managing online presence and reputation, particularly in media relations and public communications.
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Tel Aviv-Yafo, IsraelServices provided
Focus Areas
See all 18 projectsPercepto is a Public Relations agency specializing in reputation management, media relations, and corporate communications. The company receives high praise for its adaptive problem-solving and professional project management, with 100% of reviews highlighting their timely delivery and effective communication. Clients appreciate Percepto's personalized approach, with 80% noting their strategic and innovative solutions tailored to individual business needs.
-
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Chamblee, GA
Services provided
Focus Areas
Premier Agency is a public relations company. Their small team is based in Chamblee, Georgia. Their services include Public Relations and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosedFreelancer
Services provided
Focus Areas
See all 1 projectsKorrelation Communications-Pamela Singh is positioned as a Public Relations and Communications firm specializing in media relations and corporate communications. However, according to client feedback, there appears to be a significant disconnect between the promised services and actual deliverables. The sole review indicates dissatisfaction due to poor communication, missed deadlines, and unfulfilled commitments, citing no tangible results or media coverage achieved during the engagement.
-
UndisclosedUndisclosedFreelancerNewport, RI
Services provided
Focus Areas
Established in 2010, Mind The Gap Public Relations LLC is a small Newport, Rhode Island-based PR agency. Their services include Public Relations and Cybersecurity.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosedFreelancerDuluth, MN
Services provided
Focus Areas
Greenfield Communications is an Advertising company. The Duluth, Minnesota-based company was established in 2005. Their team offers Advertising and Public Relations.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Las Condes, Chile
Services provided
Focus Areas
E-press, a branding agency, was established in 1999. They specializes in Branding and Marketing Strategy.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosedFreelancer
Services provided
Focus Areas
Holly M Communications is a PR company. They are based in Lakewood, Ohio and have small team. They offer Public Relations and Event Marketing.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosedFreelancer
Services provided
Focus Areas
Public relations firm Pretty Creative by Emily Myers Duke is in Poca, West Virginia. They provide Public Relations and Advertising and were launched in 2018.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosedFreelancer
Services provided
Focus Areas
Maidstone Public Relations, a public relations agency, was launched in 2022. Located in Marshfield, Vermont, the team focuses on Public Relations and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosedFreelancerEast Northport, NY
Services provided
Focus Areas
Thomas Public Relations, Inc., a public relations firm, offers Public Relations and Event Marketing. The agency is located in East Northport, New York.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Columbia, SC
Services provided
Focus Areas
Carter Todd Associates, an Advertising company, was founded in 1998. The company offers Advertising and Public Relations, and is small.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Myrtle Beach, SC
Services provided
Focus Areas
LHWH Advertising & PR is an Advertising company. The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina-based firm was launched in 1987. Their services include Advertising and Public Relations.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Lake Forest, CA
Services provided
Focus Areas
DMI Direct is a Digital Strategy company. They were established in 2001, and their services include Digital Strategy and Media Planning & Buying.
Read more -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Glasgow, Scotland
Services provided
Focus Areas
Founded in 1997, Headline PR is a small Glasgow, Scotland-based PR agency. Their services include Public Relations and Video Production.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Muncie, IN
Services provided
Focus Areas
Circle Three Branding is a Market Research company. In Muncie, Indiana, the firm was established in 2017. Their team specializes in Market Research and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9
Services provided
Focus Areas
AMS Press is a branding firm. They were founded in 2017 and specialize in Branding and Market Research.
Read more -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249Nashville, TN
Services provided
Focus Areas
DVL Seigenthaler is an Advertising company. The Nashville, Tennessee-based firm specializes in Advertising and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Greenville, SC
Services provided
Focus Areas
Located in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson Marketing, Motorsports & Events is an Event Marketing company. The team specializes in Event Marketing and Media Planning & Buying.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Ciudad de México, Mexico
Services provided
Focus Areas
Eureka&Co. Is a Digital Strategy company. Their midsize team is in Ciudad de México, Mexico. Their services include Digital Strategy and Marketing Strategy.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Atlanta, GA
Services provided
Focus Areas
Marketing Eye is a graphic design agency. They offer Graphic Design and Marketing Strategy and were founded in 2004.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Wanchai, Hong Kong
Services provided
Focus Areas
Branding firm Grebstad Hicks Public Relations Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Was launched in 1997. The company provides Branding and Public Relations, and is midsize.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Paris, France
Services provided
Focus Areas
Wellcom, a midsize Advertising company, is based in Paris, France. Their services include Advertising and Branding.
Read more -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Bath, England
Services provided
Focus Areas
Highlight PR is a social media marketing agency. Launched in 1999, the team offers Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization. The firm is located in Bath, England.
Read more -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Huddersfield, England
Services provided
Focus Areas
Hellomint Ltd is a social media marketing agency in Huddersfield, England. The team offers Social Media Marketing and Web Design.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Sydney, Canada
Services provided
Focus Areas
Anchored Ideas Ltd. Is a branding company. The Sydney, Canada-based firm was established in 2017. Their services include Branding and Print Design.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Lexington, KY
Services provided
Focus Areas
Launched in 2012, Wiser Strategies is a Marketing Strategy company. The team specializes in Marketing Strategy and Advertising.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Lafayette, LA
Services provided
Focus Areas
In Lafayette, Louisiana, Calzone & Associates, Inc is a media planning and buying agency. Launched in 2009, the team focuses on Media Planning & Buying and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Baton Rouge, LA
Services provided
Focus Areas
Launched in 2016, Feigley Communications is a small Advertising company based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Their team provides Advertising and Graphic Design.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Columbus, OH
Services provided
Focus Areas
FrazierHeiby is a public relations agency. Established in 1983, the team specializes in Public Relations and Advertising.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Charleston, WV
Services provided
Focus Areas
Branding company AUGE+GRAY Collective Works, LLC was founded in 2010. The small team specializes in Branding and Market Research.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Charleston, WV
Services provided
Focus Areas
Image Associates is a Marketing Strategy company. Established in 1996, the firm is in Charleston, West Virginia. Their services include Marketing Strategy and Media Planning & Buying.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Newburyport, MA
Services provided
Focus Areas
McDougall + Duval Advertising is an Advertising company. They provide Advertising and Media Planning & Buying and were founded in 1995.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9
Services provided
Focus Areas
Come Correct Corp. Is a branding firm. They provide Branding and Graphic Design and are headquartered in New Mexico.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9
Services provided
Focus Areas
Luminaria Media Experts is a PR firm. Launched in 2017, the firm focuses on Public Relations and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Chula Vista, CA
Services provided
Focus Areas
Marketing To Mexico is a small Market Research company located in Chula Vista, California. Their services include Market Research and Public Relations.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Barcelona, Spain
Services provided
Focus Areas
JPC comunicación, a small PR agency, is located in Barcelona, Spain. Their services include Public Relations and Graphic Design.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Services provided
Focus Areas
ACERTA | Strategic Communication is an Advertising company. Their team is located in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and offers Advertising and Public Relations.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9București, Romania
Services provided
Focus Areas
Centrade | Cheil is a Digital Strategy company launched in 2017. The small team focuses on Digital Strategy and Mobile App Development.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Alexandria, VA
Services provided
Focus Areas
Meraki Communications Group, LLC is a branding firm. They provide Branding and Social Media Marketing and are located in Alexandria, Virginia.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Wheaton, IL
Services provided
Focus Areas
March Marketing, Inc. Is a Wheaton, Illinois-based public relations agency. They specialize in Public Relations and Advertising and were founded in 2011.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Miami Beach, FL
Services provided
Focus Areas
Freelance N’ Freedom is a Business Consulting company. They provide Business Consulting and Public Relations and are located in Miami Beach, Florida.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Atlanta, GA
Services provided
Focus Areas
Babs Wanderful is a small public relations agency. Founded in 2019, the team specializes in Public Relations and Corporate Photography.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Monroe, UT
Services provided
Focus Areas
Thirsty Minds: Keynotes & Seminars is a Business Consulting company. The firm is located in Monroe, Utah. Their services include Business Consulting and Public Relations.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Oviedo, FL
Services provided
Focus Areas
Established in 2006, Capital Communications & Consulting, a small PR firm, is located in Oviedo, Florida. Their services include Public Relations and Advertising.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Services provided
Focus Areas
Established in 2009, Together - Strategy | Communications is a media planning & buying agency. The agency provides Media Planning & Buying and Event Marketing, and is small.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Pawtucket, RI
Services provided
Focus Areas
Newberry Public Relations and Marketing, Inc. Is an Advertising company. They provide Advertising and Branding and were established in 1997.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9De Pere, WI
Services provided
Focus Areas
Founded in 2012, O'Connor Connective, LLC is a PR company. The team specializes in Public Relations and Marketing Strategy.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Poissy, France
Services provided
Focus Areas
Event Marketing company Open Your Com is in Poissy, France. Their services include Event Marketing and Content Writing Services.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9West Palm Beach, FL
Services provided
Focus Areas
Andria Mitsakos Public Relations is a small branding firm founded in 2003. Their services include Branding and Public Relations.
Read more
Share your project goals, and we’ll connect you with verified partners who fit your budget and timeline.
Get My Matches
Tell us what you need — we’ll match you with top agencies in minutes.
Get My MatchesWhy Trust Clutch
At Clutch, we believe trust is the foundation of every business relationship. Our mission is to help buyers make confident, data-backed decisions informed by real client experiences.
Every review on Clutch undergoes a rigorous, human-led verification process to make sure it’s valid. Our team of specialists confirms the identity of each reviewer, ensures the project is legitimate, and only publishes reviews that meet our strict criteria.
Verification doesn’t stop at the point of publication. Our Trust & Safety team routinely audits older reviews against our guidelines. When reviews fall short of our standards, we remove them.
We evaluate service providers using a structured methodology that combines:
- In-depth client interviews and ratings
- Comprehensive project details
- Market presence
- Portfolio examples and industry recognition
This data powers tools like the Leaders Matrix, which helps you compare agencies directly. Our research team curates rankings by weighing verified reviews most heavily, so the most trusted and experienced providers rise to the top.
Using this unique combination of verified client feedback and provider-supplied insights, Clutch distills the most important details into clear, digestible summaries so you have everything you need to make confident, informed decisions quickly.
We take fraud seriously. Providers who violate our guidelines may face lower rankings, restricted visibility, or removal from the platform altogether.
Clutch’s commitment to transparency is ongoing. We’re constantly refining our systems to protect the integrity of reviews and support you in finding the right agency.
List of the Top 15 Crisis Management Firms
-
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49St. Petersburg, FL
Ability to deliver
39.2/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Public Relations25% Crisis communications -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr250 - 999New York, NY
Ability to deliver
36.2/40.018.2/20 Reviews8.1/10 Clients & Experience10/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Public Relations25% Crisis communications40% Other -
$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
38/40.020/20 Reviews8.4/10 Clients & Experience9.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Public Relations20% Crisis communications -
$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Scottsdale, AZ
Ability to deliver
37.3/40.018.2/20 Reviews9.7/10 Clients & Experience9.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
80% Public Relations28% Crisis communications20% Other -
$10,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Fort Lauderdale, FL
Ability to deliver
36.3/40.017.2/20 Reviews9.2/10 Clients & Experience9.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
70% Public Relations40% Crisis communications30% Other -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Lewisville, TX
Ability to deliver
38.7/40.018.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
70% Public Relations10% Crisis communications30% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Sarasota, FL
Ability to deliver
38/40.018.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
65% Public Relations10% Crisis communications35% Other -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Leeds, England
Ability to deliver
36/40.016.4/20 Reviews9.7/10 Clients & Experience9.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
40% Public Relations45% Crisis communications60% Other -
$5,000+$200 - $300 / hr2 - 9Sewickley, PA
Ability to deliver
36/40.017/20 Reviews9.9/10 Clients & Experience9.1/10 Market PresenceService focus
25% Public Relations75% Crisis communications75% Other -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Burlington, Canada
Ability to deliver
36.5/40.017.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
30% Public Relations43% Crisis communications70% Other -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Amsterdam, Netherlands
Ability to deliver
36.7/40.017/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Public Relations10% Crisis communications -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49New York, NY
Ability to deliver
36.4/40.017.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Public Relations11% Crisis communications40% Other -
$10,000+$200 - $300 / hr10 - 49
Ability to deliver
36.5/40.019/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience7.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
45% Public Relations20% Crisis communications55% Other -
$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
34.3/40.016.2/20 Reviews9.2/10 Clients & Experience8.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
55% Public Relations50% Crisis communications45% Other -
$25,000+$200 - $300 / hr10 - 49New York, NY
Ability to deliver
35.4/40.016.2/20 Reviews9.8/10 Clients & Experience9.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
40% Public Relations33% Crisis communications60% Other -
$10,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Houston, TX
Ability to deliver
35.2/40.016.6/20 Reviews9.8/10 Clients & Experience8.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
55% Public Relations19% Crisis communications45% Other -
$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Las Vegas, NV
Ability to deliver
35.1/40.016.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
50% Public Relations33% Crisis communications50% Other -
$1,000+< $25 / hr50 - 249
Ability to deliver
33.8/40.019.8/20 Reviews5.3/10 Clients & Experience8.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
90% Public Relations20% Crisis communications10% Other -
Undisclosed$200 - $300 / hr10 - 49Spring Hill, Australia
Ability to deliver
33.2/40.016.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience6.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
65% Public Relations30% Crisis communications35% Other -
$10,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Denver, CO
Ability to deliver
34.4/40.016.2/20 Reviews9.2/10 Clients & Experience9.1/10 Market PresenceService focus
55% Public Relations20% Crisis communications45% Other -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249Reading , England
Ability to deliver
34.2/40.018.2/20 Reviews9.2/10 Clients & Experience6.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
50% Public Relations15% Crisis communications50% Other -
$50,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Boston, MA
Ability to deliver
35.4/40.015.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
25% Public Relations27% Crisis communications75% Other -
$25,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9London, England
Ability to deliver
32.7/40.016.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience6.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Public Relations50% Crisis communications40% Other -
$50,000+Undisclosed2 - 9New York, NY
Ability to deliver
32/40.016.2/20 Reviews9.1/10 Clients & Experience6.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Public Relations50% Crisis communications -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Boston, MA
Ability to deliver
32.7/40.016.2/20 Reviews8.8/10 Clients & Experience7.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Public Relations33% Crisis communications -
$10,000+$200 - $300 / hr2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
35.5/40.016/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
50% Public Relations20% Crisis communications50% Other -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249Atlanta, GA
Ability to deliver
35/40.016.2/20 Reviews9.5/10 Clients & Experience9.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
25% Public Relations29% Crisis communications75% Other -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Redondo Beach, CA
Ability to deliver
36.4/40.016.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
35% Public Relations13% Crisis communications65% Other -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49New York, NY
Ability to deliver
33.7/40.017/20 Reviews9.1/10 Clients & Experience7.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Public Relations20% Crisis communications40% Other -
$1,000+$300+ / hr10 - 49Agios Athanasios, Cyprus
Ability to deliver
33.9/40.019.2/20 Reviews9.3/10 Clients & Experience5.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
80% Public Relations17% Crisis communications20% Other
Latest Crisis Communications Articles
See all articles
Moment Marketing: How Brands Can Advertise During a Big Cultural Event
A cultural tentpole gives brands a massive but distracted audience. See how moment marketing earns attention during major cultural moments — and where it...
Crisis Communications Firm FAQs
Looking for a crisis communications firm but not sure where to start? We've put together answers to the most common questions businesses ask when searching for a trusted partner. This FAQ covers what you need to know before hiring a crisis communications firm, from pricing and services to results and red flags.
A crisis communications firm helps organizations plan for, respond to, and recover from events that could harm brand reputation or stakeholder trust. When an incident occurs, such as a data breach, product recall, executive misconduct, or social media backlash, the agency acts as your rapid-response team. They assess the situation, craft key messages, coordinate with internal leaders and legal counsel, handle media inquiries, and monitor public sentiment in real time. After the initial response, they guide long-term reputation repair through stakeholder outreach, transparent reporting, and strategic storytelling.
Based on a robust evaluation of reputation management and rapid response, Clutch identifies leading firms. The top crisis communications agencies for 2026 include:
A crisis communication agency typically offers:
- Risk audits and crisis-readiness playbooks
- 24/7 on-call media relations and spokesperson training
- Message development and press statement drafting
- Social listening and sentiment analysis
- Stakeholder and influencer outreach
- Internal comms coordination (employees, partners, investors)
- Post-crisis reputation rebuilding and thought-leadership campaigns
- Simulation workshops to test plans before an incident arises
Budgets vary widely based on risk profile and response time. On Clutch, small companies typically spend $5,000–$15,000 per month for monitoring and light support. High-stakes, round-the-clock retainers for enterprises can run $20,000–$50,000+ per month. One-off crisis projects often start around $15,000 for a two-to-four-week engagement. Location, seniority of consultants, and the need for multilingual or industry-specific expertise will also influence pricing.
Start by confirming the agency has handled situations similar to yours, data privacy, healthcare compliance, financial fraud, etc. Review case studies and ask for measurable outcomes (e.g., time to neutral coverage, share-of-voice regained). Ensure the firm offers senior-level counsel 24/7 and can integrate with your legal, HR, and marketing teams. Finally, evaluate chemistry and transparency: you’ll be collaborating under intense pressure, so clear communication and mutual trust are critical.
These are some red flags you should watch for when hiring a crisis communications company:
- Guaranteed media “fixes” or promises to erase online content
- Vague pricing or undisclosed subcontractors
- Lack of a written crisis plan or refusal to run simulations
- Limited access to senior strategists once the contract is signed
- No verifiable case studies or client references in your sector
Utilize these sample questions to help your hiring process:
- Have you managed crises similar to ours? What were the outcomes?
- Who will be on our account, and what is their availability?
- How do you coordinate with legal counsel to balance transparency and liability?
- What monitoring tools and metrics do you use to track sentiment and ROI?
- How will you train our executives and staff for media interactions?
- What is your fee structure for retainers versus emergency engagements?
Most full-service PR agencies handle brand building and media relations during normal operations. Crisis communications firms specialize in high-pressure, high-stakes situations that require rapid response, legal sensitivity, and 24/7 monitoring. While some large PR networks have crisis divisions, a dedicated crisis specialist often brings deeper experience with litigation support, regulatory bodies, and reputation recovery metrics.
These are some of the examples of how a crisis communications firm measures ROI:
- Reduction in negative media coverage over time
- Improvements in sentiment score across social platforms
- Stabilization of stock price or donor contributions
- Surveyed stakeholder trust post-incident
- Speed of returning to normal share-of-voice levels compared with competitors
Choosing KPIs upfront ensures both you and the agency stay aligned on outcomes beyond simple press hits.