Maltin PR speaks at Trinidad Crisis and Reputation Management Conference
Four members of our team recently spoke at the Trinidad Crisis and Reputation Management Conference, sharing their insights in managing crisis situations and the value of ongoing reputation management.
Following the result of Trinidad’s election earlier this year, economic optimism in the country has risen dramatically. However, the new government and businesses face a number of reputational challenges that require preparedness and a clear and concise strategy. Leadership And Communications in a New Era, hosted by Veritas PR and chaired by Priyanka Lalla, brought together political figures, business leaders and senior members of the diplomatic community to discuss how parties can manage crises and implement effective procedures to monitor for and manage reputational threats.
Our Head of Corporate, George Thwaites, drew on his extensive experience as an editor at two national newspapers to explore the realities of handling information in fast-moving crisis situations. He provided a clear breakdown of the steps political figures and corporates can take to manage crises effectively and outlined how they can help safeguard both individual and wider reputations in moments of intense public scrutiny.
Head of Energy, Adam Bahrami, and Senior Account Manager, Barnaby Scudds, presented a series of case studies from the firm’s recent work, demonstrating the tangible impact public relations can have during crises. They highlighted how carefully managed communications strategies can shape public narratives, protect clients from lasting reputational harm and, in some cases, alter the wider public debate significantly.
Other speakers sharing their valuable insights and experiences of crisis scenarios included Cor Hersbach, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Trinidad & Tobago, Ugo Blanco, UNDP Resident Representative for Trinidad & Tobago, and Om Lalla, one of the country’s leading lawyers.
Head of Defence & Security, Major General (Ret.) Gary Deakin, brought the conference to a close, discussing the importance of leadership and reflecting on his distinguished military career in the world’s most complex regions. He described his role leading operations as Chief of Staff of a NATO Joint Force Command, a position that saw him command highly sensitive operations across Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. He also shared lessons in leadership he had the privilege of witnessing first-hand from President Barack Obama and Her Majesty The Queen.
The conference underlined the critical role of clear communications and decisive leadership in safeguarding reputations – lessons that resonate as strongly in Trinidad as they do on the global stage.