In Washington, the power pendulum has swung back.
The flood of news coming out of the new Trump Administration demonstrates that his team is well prepared and hitting the ground running to achieve the President’s agenda.
From President Trump’s first term, it’s clear that standard operating procedure remains to “expect the unexpected.” Whether through a late night social media post or impromptu press conference, the new President and his top advisers can move with lightning speed to thrust a single company, or entire industry, into the hot seat.
Republicans in the majority on Capitol Hill – eager to curry favor with the President – are ready to use their investigatory powers to throw gasoline on these public relations brushfires.
Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers in Washington, D.C. and blue states across the country have long memories and will be carefully monitoring how corporations respond to the Trump Administration – with a particular eye on position and policy changes. They are ready to use their power now and in the future to hold executives accountable for their actions.
ROKK Solutions’ bipartisan expertise can help companies, industry groups and organizations navigate the choppy political waters ahead – in Washington and in the states. Heavily networked across the political spectrum, we can draw on relationships from the Trump Administration, to Senate and House leadership on both sides of the aisle, to key committee chairs. Having been at the center of the toughest political fights in Washington and beyond, we know how to break through the noise to move the needle.
For public affairs and government relations professionals, now is the time to update your crisis playbook. Getting ready involves:
- Smart Message Development: It is critical to design messages that resonate with target lawmakers. In Washington, that means “speaking MAGA.” In blue states, there’s a need to communicate effectively with Democrats. Having a perspective from both parties is essential.
- Tabletop Exercises: Real-world simulations–led by former top congressional spokespeople and reporters–to pressure test an organization’s existing crisis plans, identify gaps and refine response protocols.
- Congressional Hearing Prep: When a leader of your organization is called to appear before Congress for an investigatory hearing, there is no substitute for training sessions that are led by politically astute political practitioners. Failure to integrate communications experts into congressional hearing prep risks severe reputational harm.
- Recruiting Third-Party Validators: The time to make friends is before a crisis hits. Don’t wait to identify and recruit third-party allies who can speak positively about your company or organization if and when the road gets rocky.
- Social Media Gameplan: Reporters, lawmakers and staff live on social media. President Trump is famous for using social channels to make news. Being prepared for social media firestorms–expected and unexpected–is an absolute necessity.
- Digital Advertising: Devoting resources to digital advertising that targets key lawmakers and decision makers with tailored messaging is a necessary investment in both crisis mitigation and reputational enhancement.
As you look ahead to possible public affairs challenges, are you fully prepared? Please let us know how ROKK can help you avoid landmines and protect your reputation as the nation’s political temperature rises.