Face the music and dance

Emma Russell Senior Officer Advocacy, Arts Council England

Case Study: Investment decisions

2008
Guardian
The answer to Arts Council cuts? Cut the Arts Council: Ossified, demoralised, opaque: the Arts Council should go - Michael Billington Britain's acting community yesterday declared it had no confidence in the Arts Council Mark Brown The Stage Biggest PR disaster the arts has ever seen - Alistair Smith, The Stage, 2008

2011
Cultural cuts are not welcome but they have been skilfully undertaken leader Guardian What the Arts Council has done seems quite smart Richard Eyre

they appear to have made a pretty good fist of things and the sector seems to have recognised this fact. Crucially, they have been able to manage expectations. - Alistair Smith

How to prevent and handle a media crisis

1. Plan
plan its your insurance policy crisis doesnt necessarily mean big known when to act - only negative tweets/posts which threaten your reputation need action prepare to respond quickly and concisely when issues arise make time for planning and convince your line-manager of the value think like a journalist

2. Make friends
tee-up key spokespeople outside your organisation don't wait till things go wrong get them to speak publicly on your behalf

3. Put your head above the parapet

pre-empt journalists always offer a comment respond to everyone and make your response visible

4. Breathe
Twitter and rolling news make a quick response essential but allow yourself time to think let journalists know you will give them a statement imminently Two heads are better than one

5. Hold your line

dont get drawn in - stick to what you want to say and just keep repeating yourself

6. Rehearse
media train spokespeople role play possible scenarios write reactive lines

7. Honesty is the best policy

take the hit in the short-term - if you have made a mistake, put your hands up Talk about what you have learnt and how the mistake will make you improve

Acknowledge other perspectives

8. Be social
monitor social media react immediately to key stakeholders posts avert the story before it even starts

9. Don't lose your sense of humour

use humour - with caution - to take the heat out of an emerging crisis acknowledge the situation and keep things in perspective

avoid sarcasm

10. Enjoy it!

often the most exciting time in a press office strong relationships are forged

End