Actions designed to reduce the effects of making a mistake or

perceived mistake.

Source: http://www.idiomquest.com/learn/idiom/damage-control/

Damage control and crisis management can be divided into three basic steps:

Planning› Get a clear understanding of the entire story and

relevant and related facts and put a plan in place

Management › Ensure you manage the situation (talk to

relevant parties, engage relevant personnel)

Communication› Communicate internally (i.e to employees)

and externally (to the public), media, customers, members, stakeholders etc.

Full Discloser

Get on the front footSpeak to your

core audience

Disclose relevant

details

Be Straight about

what you know

& don’t know

Keep the

message simple

and to the point

Be clear with

how you’re

going to fix the

problem

Surround yourself with the “right entourage”(Agent, Lawyer, Organisation Rep, Friends, Family)

You don’t always have to comment on every media request (always call them back, but don’t fuel the fire)

Ensure your client isn’t secluded from the community

Stephen Milne & Wife Melissa

Andrew Lovett & Lawyer, Agent & Friends

Mathew Stokes & Geelong FC CEO Brian CookRolf Harris accompanied by his wife & mother outside court

Pick the right media to talk to when you want to comment

Ensure you “Lay low”

Monitor social media activity

Ensure you are proactive (not reactive) - make the call

Ensure your are apologetic and sympathetic

Ensure your are dressed appropriately

Glenn Archer, The Footy Show (on behalf of

Jake King)

Lance Armstrong's interview with Oprah

Tiger Woods apology. Sky News

Ensure the organisation

acknowledges & responds to

the allegations

Evaluate relevant personnel

sacking or suspension

Always keep members front of

mind (what would they expect)

Former CEO Ian Robson, Chairman David

Evans, Senior Coach James Hird

Melbourne Storm stood united

The

Good

The

Bad

Sources: The Herald Sun, Channel Nine

Planning› Talk to Jake (get understanding of the entire story)

› Team put in place to work with Jake

› Put a plan in place

Management › Talk to relevant parties (including the Richmond FC,

AFL, Legal Representative and Toby Mitchell)

Communication› Glenn Archer appearance on The Footy Show

Sources: The Herald Sun, Channel Nine & Richmond Football Club

Always Plan, Manage and

Communicate your damage control

strategy

Ensure you have the right team working

on the strategy

Keep members/ general public front of

mind