MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
Our marketing communications services can help your organization effectively convey who you are, what you do, and, most importantly, why someone should care. We work with companies to develop strategic marketing plans and implementation tactics that identify and leverage unique value propositions, build brands, and consistently deliver key messages in ways that resonate deeply with target audiences.

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PLANNING
Strategic communications planning is critical to an organization’s ability to meet ongoing internal and external communications challenges. Our team can provide communications training and support, conduct a communications audit, provide general media support for news releases and media contacts, and develop communications procedures. We also act as a third-party serving as a subtle buffer between the media and the organization and, when appropriate, by using Harris Beach attorneys as the media contact and spokesperson.

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT
While, by definition, crisis response is reactive in nature, organizations who take a proactive approach to communications policies are best positioned to mitigate negative publicity when situations arise. Our team can help you identify potential risks and develop, implement, and maintain a response plan to facilitate crisis avoidance and management. We provide a full range of crisis preparedness services and training to limit risk, positively position the organization among internal and external audiences, and enhance the potential for successfully preserving the organization’s position.

The risks resulting from unexpected, controversial or crisis situations can expose an organization and its stakeholders to significant public and media attention with potentially damaging consequences to its image, brand, and internal morale. Successful resolution of these situations is the result of the organization’s ability to manage the situation and deal with the issues as quickly and fully as possible.

During a crisis or highly controversial situation, our team works with the client and their Harris Beach attorney to craft an effective communications strategy consistent with the mission and image of the organization, and mindful of any legal implications. Harris Beach legal clients working with the HB Solutions Communications team also enjoy the discretion of client/attorney privilege which extends to our strategic communications solutions.

STRATEGIC MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
The HB Solutions Communications team can assist clients with strategic marketing and communications planning and tactical support. Our services include:

Strategic Marketing Plans
The Communications team will conduct a marketing audit to assess a company’s marketing and communications tools and resources and develop a strategic plan for strengthening the brand. Strategic marketing plans address a company’s brand identity (current and desired), value proposition, logo development, and graphic identity standards.

Marketing Communications Tactical Plans
A tactical plan brings the marketing strategy to life by effectively communicating an organization’s message and personality to its target market(s). Marketing tactics may include sales collateral, packaging, web and interactive initiatives, advertising, trade show support, promotions, public relations, and community outreach.

General Communications Training
Providing basic training for organizations on public relations, media relations and employee communications; assisting organizations with basic communications needs.

Crisis Communications Management, Audit, and Planning
Auditing and testing crisis communications plans and policies and assisting organizations in developing a crisis communications policy and formal response plan for internal and external audiences.

Crisis Communications Response Support
Providing tactical event-specific crisis communications support for internal and external audiences (media management, message development, press conferences, speech writing, press materials, internal communications, presentations, etc.).

Media Training
Training organization leaders and/or spokespersons to effectively work with the media in crisis and non-crisis situations.

Public Forum Training & Preparation
Training and preparing organization leaders for public forums, public hearings, legislative sessions, community and town meetings, etc.

Communications Training and Workshops
Conducting group training workshops and customized seminar programs highlighting general communications and media strategies for key management personnel.

Communications Resource Management
Managing the hiring process for communications, marketing, and public relations personnel, as well as helping secure the services of an advertising or communications agency.

EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS
The Harris Beach Communications Group offers organizations the experience and talents of a highly credentialed team of individuals with extensive backgrounds in strategic marketing and communications planning, media relations, and crisis management.

Hilary C. Guthrie
Ms. Guthrie is director of planning and business development at Harris Beach. Ms. Guthrie has experience developing strategic management plans for situations involving environmental incidents, organizational crises, controversial corporate decisions, controversial development projects, controversial municipal issues, employment dismissals, and criminal charges. She provides marketing, communications, and public relations consulting support in the form of general communications and media training, customized issues-based training programs and crisis management planning and implementation in an effort to enhance the organization’s position among internal staff, community members and government representatives. Ms. Guthrie’s experience includes delivering integrated communications support during the introduction of controversial projects and ventures through town meetings and other public events.

William Albert
Mr. Albert is public relations manager at Harris Beach. His experience includes corporate identity, business-to-business and legal services public relations and marketing communications, both in advertising and public relations agencies and as an in-house public relations manager. He served as public relations manager for a national law firm for nearly 10 years prior to joining Harris Beach. Mr. Albert has a strong media relations background and has serviced Fortune 500 corporations, mid-size companies, privately-held businesses and start-up ventures. He is experienced in a wide range of industries and works with both the general and trade media on national, regional, and local levels. Mr. Albert started his career as a journalist, and thus, provides clients with an "insider's" perspective of newsroom operations and editorial planning.

More Information