This sometimes neglected area of public relations can pay major dividends; neglecting it can generate or exacerbate problems. Community relations can be important in terms of:
- Overall press relations.
- Reputation management (particularly on the web).
- Recruitment.
- Industrial relations.
- Supply chain management (local suppliers).
- Local political issues.
- Planning consents.
It can also be increasingly important in terms of international PR and reputation management.
Why? Because negative press coverage is easily found on the web simply by entering your company name into a search engine (which potential customers, employees and other business contacts are likely to do).
Some competitors may be keen to ensure that negative local press coverage has a wide audience. They will focus particular attention on redundancies and industrial relations problems.
We have also acted for US, UK and European clients who are seeking contested planning consents in circumstances which are extremely challenging, and yet which are critical for the survival of their companies.