Hill+Knowlton Strategies Launches Social Media Crisis Simulator to Help Companies and Government Agencies Test Their Crisis Management Skills

11 February 2013: Abu Dhabi, UAE: Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K), a leading international communications consultancy, today announced the UAE launch of their newest offering, ‘Flight School’, a proprietary technology which simulates online crisis scenarios, allowing companies to practice their response to possible crisis situations.

The simulator was developed to help organisations prepare in advance for crisis by allowing them to select a customized scenario, and then undergoing an interactive training session led by experienced professionals specialising in crisis management and emergency response. Using a unique dashboard, the program shows participants a realistic mock-up of how the crisis would unfold through various online channels, and allows them to practice and test their response.

Rishi Saha, Regional Digital Director at Hill+Knowlton Strategies commented:
“Flight School was built on lessons learned through many years of conducting crisis simulations around the world, and we look forward to sharing this expertise with entities in the UAE to help grow their understanding of crisis and the skills needed to deal with it- particularly in an age of fast, direct communication. This technology furthers our crisis offering by integrating more platforms that will play into crisis exercises with clients we currently work with, such as Abu Dhabi Airports Company, helping them prepare to respond efficiently to various communications crisis scenarios across an array of channels.”

Using the dashboard, participants will experience a series of mock-up messages and posts across an array of channels to which they would have the opportunity to respond. The channels involved include telephone, email and social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter. The dashboard is completely secure and private and allows for immersive and realistic simulations. Through this new simulation tool, organisations can interact with traditional and social media without the risk of posting anything publicly. It also allows for the engagement of a spectrum of individuals that might be involved in a crisis situation, from social media managers to those involved in a front-line crisis response.

Immediately following the simulation, H+K conduct a debriefing to discuss the exercise. Within two weeks, a comprehensive overview of the simulation is delivered which incorporates key takeaways and suggestions for changes to crisis preparedness plans, procedures, and training.

Information about how your organisation can participate in flight school can be found at http://www.hkstrategies.com/flightschool

About Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Inc. is a leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients. The firm is headquartered in New York, with 89 offices in 52 countries, as well as an extensive associate network. The agency is part of WPP, one of the world’s largest communications services groups.