Crisis Communications: A Casebook Approach

Now in its sixth edition, this book provides engaging, practice-oriented case studies analyzing communication professionals’ crisis preparation and responses, illustrating key considerations for communicating with both internal and external stakeholders during and after a crisis.

This edition continues its strength as a student-friendly text that demonstrates how to craft, target, and deliver messages during crises in order to mitigate further controversy and distress. Classic cases lay the foundation, while contemporary cases shed light on cutting-edge practices in use today. Many cases from previous editions have been updated and new cases added, including the COVID-19 crisis and U.S. vaccination campaign; Starbucks and racial discrimination at a Philadelphia branch; Will Smith and the Academiy Awards slap; Gander, Newfoundland in supporting stranded tourists after the attacks of September 11, 2001; and a look at how schools can prepare communication responses to school shootings. Each case pays particular attention to the actual and ideal use of social media in the crisis and there is a new section on the important issues of misinformation and disinformation.

Crisis Communications, 6th Edition is intended for courses in crisis communication, crisis management, disaster response, corporate communications, and public relations.

Student and instructor online support materials feature selected previous editions’ case studies no longer in this edition as well as an Instructor’s Manual with suggested activities, discussion questions, and sample quizzes: www.routledge.com/9780367894450.

Kathleen Fearn-Banks is a tenured professor with emeritus status in the Department of Communication at the University of Washington, USA.

Kevin Kawamoto is a former Associate Professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA.