Virtual War Room

When communicating with the public, it is critical for an organization to have a central coordinating hub. Everyone within the organization should be on message, on cue, and up-to-date on issue developments. To help coordinate a strong and singular public presence for a corporation, Public Strategies has developed the "Virtual War Room."

The Virtual War Room is an online, highly secure communications hub, that is tailor-made for an organization's internal communications needs. Usually, deployed during a time-sensitive or complex public affairs campaign, the Virtual War Room is an instrument that facilitates a seamless communications process among several corporate departments, and acts as a central repository for a project coordination team, ensuring that all aspects of the company's internal communications and messages are incorporated into one central, easily accessible location. In high-pressure situations, where a campaign is being waged in many locations and on many fronts, this allows critical information to be shared real-time among key company executives.

Dynamic features of a virtual war room

• Research Summaries — Includes the summary results from polling, focus groups and surveys, as well as in-depth presentations that identify key message themes — both positive and negative.

• Message Development — A database of talking points is always on hand. These are particularly useful in times of crisis and keep everyone on message. Presentations, based on research findings, are also available. Examples of presentations are speeches, fact sheets, collateral material and leave-behinds.

• Opposition Monitoring — Weekly reports, including analysis of key issues, competitive analysis, regulators, legislators, media, academicians, industry experts and consultants, Wall Street analysts, consumer groups, retirees and unions. The reports also include message responses to key issues, media coverage ofopposition and press releases.

• Quote Databases — A database containing searchable third-party/endorsement quotes, as well as opposition quotes.

• Synchronized Calendar — Tracking for key corporate executives; third-party allies, and campaign activities.

• Latest News and Clips Archive — With the integration of our media services, this includes constant updates and daily news clips.

• Advertising and Earned Media — Includes op-eds, letters to the editor and any print, radio or broadcast advertising.

• Message Boards — Everyone on the team has the capability to post relevant information or ask important questions that are immediately accessible to all team members.

• Synchronized Web Chat — The ability to link all of the key decision makers together for a virtual meeting at a moment's notice.

• Campaign Team Contact Information — An online resource with all the contact information for campaign team members and stakeholders.

• Campaign Calendar of Events/ Team Schedules — A central resource of related events that will keep all the members of the campaign team informed of all external events.

Responding to intense scrutiny of the public, whether it be from the media, shareholders, competitors, elected officials, or employees, the Virtual War Room enables our clients to maintain a disciplined edge over the competition.