Creative technology agency DT and communications consultancy Cannings have partnered to form Scout, a new crisis management solution hub. The WPP agencies are combining Cannings' strategy-geared consultancy with DT's focus on social and digital channels as a way of handling crisis comms.
The hub will support larger business issues as well as internal client matters through crisis management, maintenance, digital platforms and responding to client customer relationships. Scout will begin by servicing Cannings' and DT's current client base and will also be seeking new clients.
The idea is to amalgamate the two elements of business management and cover the full range of risks they might be open to, be it executive misconduct, natural disasters or any other unforeseeable damages.
Scout is co-headed by Cannings MD Renée Bertuch and DT Chief Strategy Officer Saul Flores. Bertuch says the idea for the hub came out of a larger discussion about the way agencies have approached clients to resolve crisis' in the past. She notes that while strategical solutions were available, integrated strategy and digital management was seldom on offer.
Bertuch says “The pendulum of public sentiment is quick to swing in an increasingly 24-7 digital world” where management and boards are more open to scrutiny by stakeholders than ever before.
DT chief strategy officer Saul Flores will be co-leading Scout alongside Bertuch. He says: “Crisis Management isn’t something that ends after the rain stops, it’s also about how you manage the ongoing customer relationship.”
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.