"Public relations is essentially about developing and maintaining structured communications with stakeholders important to a business or organisation's operational and financial performance so they continue to support the business in their own ways."
Paul Hemsley
They used to speak of the isolation of far North Queensland. No more I expect. Over the past 24 to 36 hours our connectivity has once again been proven, with literally hundreds of people sharing personal accounts of their pre, intra and post-cyclone experiences. Even with widespread power outages, we have countless voice, picture and video accounts.
It is very personal.
How different this is from the experience of Darwin’s Cyclone Tracy very early Christmas Day, 1974. Most Australians, and resident Kiwis, did not learn of the death and destruction caused until later that afternoon, many hours after the event. It was a category 4 storm, and there were over 70 deaths. So far, there have been no reported deaths from Yasi.
Good communications played their part in preparing and directing people ahead of this outrageous storm, and it’s not surprising that Queensland emergency services have developed a well-oiled, best practice communication machine. All agencies can learn from this.
My communications reflection on Cyclone Yasi is just this: If there is a downside to all the tireless, drip-feed of personal connectivity, it is that we lose the moments of shock revelations– experienced with Cyclone Tracy. In contrast it has the semblance of yet another reality TV programme. As such, the real tragedy so eloquently conveyed by the State’s Premier is somewhat lost. What do you think?
Previous Posts
Is it time to retire the EQC? (21 May 2013)When a communication breakdown undermines a key relationship (9 May 2013)
Too big to communicate (1 May 2013)
CEOs less trusted- why might that be? (4 March 2013)
Talking is not communicating (21 February 2013)
Cats and postal deliveries (31 January 2013)
The creeping disease of our language – hyperbole (6 December 2012)
Some lessons in media relations (29 November 2012)
Get with it, Mr Cunliffe, porkies are fine (21 November 2012)
Our own enquiry time as Sandy creates havoc (1 November 2012)
Communicating the poverty message (12 October 2012)
Politics, a game for the superhuman – or the Nixon solution (5 October 2012)
The potent weapon of bullying claims (29 August 2012)
All for one and one for all (31 July 2012)
Greenpeace a global business with the eye for the bottom line (26 July 2012)
The script for higher prices is written in the weather (20 July 2012)
A crass publicity stunt (12 July 2012)
Communication support for families in need (5 July 2012)
Descending to the depths of meanness (21 June 2012)
No thanks Minister (18 June 2012)
We’ve got a problem – let the shouting begin! Or is there a better way? (8 June 2012)
Speaking in headlines, merely for headlines (30 May 2012)
Exposés and rebuttals – are we any the wiser? (30 May 2012)
“The government should do something about that…” (7 May 2012)
Another Kiwi world champion (2 May 2012)
An abuse of power (27 April 2012)
Watch that, or I’ll get YouTube on to you (17 April 2012)
A perverse form of logic (16 April 2012)
Celebrity endorsements play to our laziness (29 February 2012)
Keeping their own counsel may be best course of action (22 February 2012)
The tatty remnants of Occupy (26 January 2012)
Media relationships - it’s important to make them work (20 January 2012)
The spirit of communicating (21 December 2011)
Lessons from a “private conversation” (22 November 2011)
Never mind policy, what’s on the tape? (18 November 2011)
Good on you, Vector (2 November 2011)
A cardinal rule of crisis management lies in the dirt (9 June 2011)
Some French madness – surely? (7 June 2011)
Something to tweet about (2 May 2011)
Litany of apologies, but no humility (13 April 2011)
The tendency to editiorialise – knock it off (7 April 2011)
A campaign to help the country... (29 March 2011)
A storm in an outhouse (9 March 2011)
New chums in a unique cause (23 November 2010)
Shredding your reputation for a headline (29 October 2010)
Communications shouldn't mean altercation (14 October 2010)
Finding fairness for all victims is what will define us (24 September 2010)
Entire towns are falling off their ladders (30 August 2010)
The age of intolerance (17 August 2010)
There’s news and views. Is responding to an issue with an ad the way to go? (5 August 2010)
How you respond is a measure of your mettle (30 July 2010)
The perplexing topic of food pricing (15 July 2010)
Lying as part of your strategy (9 July 2010)
Never mind the lost productivity. It’s a rich educational experience (23 June 2010)
The revenge of the people with red hair (27 May 2010)
No cure, but other miracles (19 May 2010)
Another tragedy and chorus call for the Government (12 May 2010)
The fashion of rebranding (28 April 2010)
The tale of two media interviews (24 March 2010)
Clear messages from the golden age of advertising (4 March 2010)
Plenty for the Commerce Commission in the holiday homes market (18 February 2010)
Food Inc only a point of view (23 June 2009)
A budget for feeding the chooks (4 June 2009)