Founded by a seasoned public information leader,
PDR Strategies delivers custom communications solutions
for corrections, public safety, healthcare, and more.
Decades of Public Sector Experience,
Now Working for You
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📘 When the Fake Feels Real: What the Coldplay Kisscam Statement Hoax Teaches Us About Crisis Communication
Read more: 📘 When the Fake Feels Real: What the Coldplay Kisscam Statement Hoax Teaches Us About Crisis CommunicationSometimes the most revealing crisis isn’t the one that actually happens—it’s the one people believe happened. That’s exactly what unfolded online after a video went viral from a recent Coldplay concert, showing a man romantically embracing a woman who was reportedly not his wife. Social media quickly identified the man as a wealthy CEO and […]
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📘 Answer the Call: Why Being Responsive to the Media Still Matters
Read more: 📘 Answer the Call: Why Being Responsive to the Media Still MattersIn public information, credibility is currency—and few things erode it faster than silence. Whether you work for a state agency, a municipality, a corrections facility, or a healthcare system, you’ve likely been on the receiving end of a media request that came at the wrong time: mid-crisis, short-staffed, or as you were walking into another […]
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📘 Is “Zero Tolerance” Messaging Still Effective? Rethinking the Tone of Public Safety Communications
Read more: 📘 Is “Zero Tolerance” Messaging Still Effective? Rethinking the Tone of Public Safety CommunicationsAuthor’s Note:Over the Fourth of July weekend, I kept hearing the phrase “zero tolerance” over and over again—on the radio, in news stories, on social media: “State Police will have zero tolerance for impaired driving.”“Marine Patrol has zero tolerance for boating under the influence.” It got me thinking—not about whether impaired driving is dangerous (it […]
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📘 When Tragedy Strikes: Why Preparedness Messaging After a Crisis Isn’t Opportunistic—It’s Necessary
Read more: 📘 When Tragedy Strikes: Why Preparedness Messaging After a Crisis Isn’t Opportunistic—It’s NecessaryLike so many of you, my heart is with the people of Texas this week.In the wake of this most recent tragedy—one that has shaken families, first responders, entire communities, and the public safety professionals who must carry its weight—there’s a national pause. A breath held. A sense of sorrow, solidarity, and reflection. As public […]
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📘 Message Mapping 101: How FEMA’s Messaging Framework Simplifies Crisis Communication
Read more: 📘 Message Mapping 101: How FEMA’s Messaging Framework Simplifies Crisis CommunicationIn the chaos of a crisis, your message needs to be sharp, clear, and calm—especially when the pressure is rising and time is short. Whether you’re preparing a press conference, a news release, social media updates, or a speech, having a structured message framework can mean the difference between clarity and confusion. That’s where the […]
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📘 Leading with Empathy: The Most Powerful Statement You Can Make in a Controversial Crisis
Read more: 📘 Leading with Empathy: The Most Powerful Statement You Can Make in a Controversial CrisisWhen controversy strikes—whether it’s a high-profile misconduct case, a tragic incident, or a hot-button issue that divides public opinion—how your organization responds defines more than your reputation. It defines your humanity. In moments like these, empathy isn’t weakness—it’s strength. It is the foundation on which trust, credibility, and meaningful resolution are built. Why Empathy Matters […]
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📘 Why Leaders Can’t—and Shouldn’t—Do It All: The Value of a Trained PIO
Read more: 📘 Why Leaders Can’t—and Shouldn’t—Do It All: The Value of a Trained PIOLeadership comes with enormous responsibility—and in today’s always-on, media-saturated environment, how you communicate is just as important as what you do. Yet many organizations, particularly small agencies or departments, still assume that the leader alone can carry the entire communications burden. Spoiler alert: they can’t. More importantly: they shouldn’t. No matter the size of the […]
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📘 Press Release or News Release? Why the Words We Use Matter
Read more: 📘 Press Release or News Release? Why the Words We Use MatterIn public information work, precision matters. The facts we share, the way we say them, and even the labels we use on official materials help shape how our message is received. And one of the most common—and overlooked—examples of this is the difference between a press release and a news release. While the terms are […]
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📘 Preparing Your Executives for the Media Spotlight
Read more: 📘 Preparing Your Executives for the Media SpotlightYour executive team may be the best at leading operations—but are they ready to lead in front of a microphone? In today’s world, executives are often called to speak during times of crisis, organizational change, or public scrutiny. What they say—and how they say it—matters more than ever. Here’s how we prepare leaders to deliver […]
