What is Spotlight?
Spotlight is a crisis management simulation that allows businesses to practise handling a sudden reputational attack and test their response and strategic communication under pressure.
How does it work?
The simulation is tailored to your business, incorporating relevant facts or specific obstacles to give you a realistic, immersive experience of a trigger event escalating in real time. The attack could be a viral campaign on social media, allegations aired by a whistle-blower, or a threat to release confidential information. It will be a scenario which, unless swiftly contained and managed, will quickly spiral.
As the crisis unfolds, typically on social media channels, and is then picked up by further national and international media, you will have to deal with the actions and reactions of our experienced team, posing as customers, competitors, journalists, activists and other key players. Simulations can be hosted over one or more sites, or conducted entirely virtually, allowing participation from your team wherever they are.
What are the benefits?
Spotlight allows you to see first-hand how latent reputational risks can play out across multiple media, and the potentially lasting negative impact. It highlights the ripple effects of acute disruption and tests a business's overall resilience: is it prepared for operational interruptions; are employee grievance procedures fair, robust and transparent; is there a media handling protocol? Spotlight allows you to experiment – in a safe environment – with how and when to engage, including with employees, key stakeholders and the public. Attendees leave the session armed with practical and legal tools, as well as the experience and confidence to manage a reputational and operational crisis in real life.
Our specialist reputation and crisis lawyers work with you at every stage, from creating a bespoke exercise to providing you with an in-depth follow-up report with specific feedback and advice on changes you can make to your existing systems and processes to reduce the risk and likely impact of a future crisis. Our experience dealing with reputational crises allows us to anticipate the likely risks and – crucially – help you mitigate them before they happen.
For more information, please contact Emma Woollcott.