On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided mid-air with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing all 67 people on board and three soldiers.
In an article for The Drum, Audrey Kemp delves into the intricacies of communicating not only with the public, but also the victims’ families in the wake of tragedy.
“According to crisis PR experts, a statement alone isn’t enough,” writes Kemp, stressing how focusing on reputation management over genuine human connection is one of the worst mistakes.
The article discusses the importance of direct communication with the victims’ families, developing a long-term response strategy, ongoing support for families of the victims, and frequent, honest public messaging.
Read on to learn more.