Media relations and crisis communications are essential skills in the public relations industry – creating a positive relationship with the media, being prepared when a crisis hits and effectively delivering messages to reporters are all a part of a well-rounded public relations toolkit.
You don’t want to miss PRSA Lookout’s Media Relations and Crisis Communications Interactive PD Workshop at the Hamilton County Emergency Operations Center on May 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Join us for a full day of career development including an interactive workshop, messages from Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management/Homeland Security public relations manager Amy Maxwell, Dallas Cowboys director of media relations and corporate communications Joe Trahan, IV, and media relations and crisis communications risk expert Dr. Joe Trahan, III, APR. Buy your ticket!
10 Concepts You’ll Learn:
- The media relations interview technique of listen, pause, think, and answer
- How to use an answer/acknowledge bridge command messaging technique with 9 to 12 second sound bites
- How to develop and deliver command messages/talking points that follow the four pillars of PR: hope, stability, compassion, and trust
- Squashing disinformation, maliformation, and AI
- How to be brief, be brilliant, and be gone in a media relations interview
- How to develop an effective crisis communications plan
- The concept of maximum disclosure and minimum delay in a crisis
- How to anticipate a crisis, coordinate, cooperate, and communicate
- Understanding the importance of a high-profile designated spokesperson
- The FEMA joint information system and how it operates in a joint information center
Bonus: You’ll be part of an interactive tabletop exercise, dealing with numerous crises in a three hour period, and you’ll walk away with an understanding of how to shape your message – and not be shaped by it.
Location: The workshop will be in the building directly to the side of the 911 Operations Center at 3404 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37406. Parking will be in the lot pictured above.
Tickets: $25 Students, $50 Members, $75 Non-Members. Tickets are limited to 70 attendees. You do not have to be a member to attend!
About the Speakers:
Amy Maxwell
Amy Maxwell is currently the Public Relations Manager for Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management/Homeland Security (HCOEM) in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Since becoming the Public Information Officer in 1999, Maxwell serves as the media liaison for Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management/Homeland Security, Field Services and EMS.
She manages the archiving, tracking and monitoring news coverage for Hamilton County. Maxwell has 24 years of experience in crisis communications. She plans, coordinates and directs a broad comprehensive public relations and communications program for HCOEM. She is responsible for developing a positive relationship with the media, writing and distributing news releases and public service announcements, generating feature ideas and coordinating photo requests, among other public relations related endeavors.
She has assisted as the main media liaison in several large relief efforts, such as, Hurricane Katrina & Gustav, several tornadoes that have struck the Hamilton County/Chattanooga area and the Chattanooga Shootings in July 2015. Mrs. Maxwell is also a photographer and videographer. She has been a national photo winner five times in the Nationwide IFSTA/Fire Protection Publication. She is a webmaster and social media coordinator for several agencies.
Part-time, Maxwell is the Communications Director for the Tennessee Fire Chief’s Association.
Amy received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1993 in Communications, Public Relations and Marketing. In March of 2000, she received her AEMT certification from Chattanooga State Technical Community College. Maxwell is a Certified Emergency Manager and a member of the Public Relations Society of America, Southeastern EMS Directors Association and Emergency Management Association of Tennessee.
Dr. Joe Trahan, III, APR
The New Orleans native has forty-two years of public relations/affairs experience in governmental, association, and educational and non-profit public relations. Additionally, Dr. Trahan is also LTC(R) Joe Trahan, United States Army Reserve (USAR), former Commander of The 314 th Public Affairs Operations Center (PAOC) (USAR) located in Birmingham, Alabama.
Dr. (LTC-USAR) Trahan has successfully operated four Joint Information Bureaus (JIBs) and one Joint Information Center (JIC) from 1991-94. Some of Dr. (LTC) Trahan’s JIB/JIC Assignments were: Joint Logistics over the Shore (JLOTS)-1992; Presidential Task Force Andrew-1992; The National Boy Scout Jamboree -1993 and The 50th Anniversary of Operation Overlord-1994. Since 1998, Dr. Joe Trahan has superbly Media Relations trained over 3,500 people yearly in: 46 US states, England, Norway, France, Belgium, Paraguay, Mexico and The Netherlands.
Dr. Joe Trahan, APR graduated from Tulane University with a BA degree in American Military History, a MA degree in Public Relations from Ball State University and a Ph.D. in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations and Advertising from The University of Southern Mississippi. Currently, Dr. Trahan is a life time Board Member of The PRSA Public Affairs & Government Section.
Finally, Dr. Joe Trahan is an accredited member of Public Relations Society of America, a former National PSA Board of Director and National PRSSA Faculty Advisor. He was inducted into The Rowan University Public Relations Hall of Fame for lifetime distinguished contributions to The Public Relations Profession in 2019.He was inducted into The Southern Public Relations Federation(SPRF) Hall of Fame for bringing distinction to The Public Relations Profession in 2016.
He was awarded The Lloyd B. Dennis Award by PRSA in 2009 for Distinguished Leadership in Public Affairs. He was awarded The U.S. Army Ancient Order of St. Gabriel in 2022 for outstanding achievements and accomplishments in the spirit, dignity and sense of sacrifice and commitment epitomized by a career that so singularly distinguishes the individual as a contributor to Public Affairs among peers. He’s also a longtime fan of The 2010 World Champion New Orleans Saints!
Joe Trahan IV
Joe Trahan is in his 18th season with the Dallas Cowboys, 19th overall in the NFL, and serves as the Director of Media Relations and Corporate Communications with the club. Along with being a member of the football communications staff, he is also the press contact/media coordinator for all major events at AT&T Stadium and The Star in Frisco.
Trahan has gained experience throughout the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the NCAA sports ranks and internationally in the final season of NFL Europe with the 2007 World Bowl Champion Hamburg Sea Devils (Germany).
Trahan owns two degrees from The University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor’s of Science (Sport Administration) and a Master’s of Arts (Public Relations).