The Communications Golden Hour: The Essential Guide To Public Information When Every Minute Counts

by Doug Levy

Former firefighter, award-winning journalist and communications consultant Doug Levy created The Communications Golden Hour® method to streamline communications when every minute counts. By reading this book, you will Once the importance of the first 60 minutes was recognized and trauma care was streamlined around that golden hour, survival rates after car crashes and other major injuries improved dramatically. The same systematic approach works for communications, too. The Communications Golden Hour provides a framework that streamlines planning, preparation and training for emergencies large and small, from natural disasters to major crimes and everything in-between. By separating what needs to happen in every emergency from details that are situation-specific, public information officers can focus on crafting and distributing the most effective messages when every minute counts. The book includes step-by-step guides and templates to help communicate effectively in urgent situations. This tightly written handbook provides both a ready reference and guidelines for public information officers in police, fire, and health departments, as well as anyone responsible for emergency management, disaster response, and public safety. And its principles can apply to any organization of any size.

118 pages, Paperback

Published April 13, 2018

Reviews

[Rūta Putnikienė · Rating 2 out of 5]

Iš visų mano skaitytų knygų apie krizių komunikaciją ši mažiausiai verta dėmesio, nebent visiškai nieko niekada apie krizių komunikaciją nesate girdėję

[Daria Steigman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's rare that I give a business book 5 stars, but the Communications Golden Hour is that good.

Doug Levy has written a smart, practical, and succinct guide to help communicators in the public sector understand how to prepare and respond to life-threatening emergencies. The Communications Golden Hour walks through several recent crises (Northern California Wildfires, Las Vegas mass shooting, the Hawaii false missile alert) and examines what went right — and what went wrong.

Levy not only talks about WHAT to do, he walks through the questions you should ask and the process every organization should follow to create a pro-active crisis communications plan. Because although this book is written for public sector agencies, it is really a book for all of us. Whether it’s an active shooter on campus (as happened at YouTube earlier this month) or chemical stores spewing into the community (as occurred following the 2017 flooding in Houston), you have to be prepared for the worst. This book will help you do just that.

[Haje · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a short read, but chocker-block with great advice for how to plan for and execute PR in crisis situations. Well written, clear, and backed with a lot of experience, I'd recommend this to PR professionals and marketing folks alike.