Portland law enforcement officials have cleared former Vice President Al Gore in the sex assault case filed by a massage therapist. Owning a crisis PR agency, I’d like to share my views on what’s next for Gore?

An acquittal in the court of law does not imply a similar outcome by the court of public opinion. Gore’s legal win received a mere fraction of the coverage enjoyed by the blockbuster harassment charges.It’s time for Gore to gin up his PR game to protect his “ambassador of global warming brand.”  Here are some practical ways to recover from a crisis:

1. Break the silence: Strategically attract a top-tier media for a “softball” interview. This will get the attention necessary to put a positive spin on the resolved case, identify how easy it is to make false accusations, and how baffled you were by the accuser’s actions.

2. Make factual points: For example, the public was not present in the interrogation rooms. Only a few among the media mentioned that the allegedly harassed woman failed a polygraph test or that the case was closed for conflicting details in her testimony. Consider sharing these details to make a basic point of “knowing-the-facts” before making any judgments.

3. Present your new “you.”
What’s next on your agenda? How will the public benefit from your service to the country, the environment, or any other cause you choose to promote. Make sure the public wants your name to be cleared – because you act for and represent the public’s best interest. Attract sympathy and support showing you’re willing to find new energies.

4. Inspire: The public loves comeback stories, so give them one. Make the private viewer relate to you by telling how this was a learning experience and how we all face ups, downs, and crises in our lives, which only need to strengthen us in our different directions.

5. Replace the news items under “Al Gore”: PR crises of the sexual kind are particularly hard to control and they don’t fade quickly. Internet searches will bring up results covering this humiliating topic, but it’s only true up until you provide some new items that relate to your true actions. Tiger Woods had to wait to replace his mess with the U.S Open scores and achievements. Your brand is associated with many more aspects of life, giving you the leverage to relate to various issues. Make sure to strategically bring us new news.

It’s not easy to recover from a crisis PR situation, but public figures can apply professional communication strategies to make, and even remake, their positive reputation. Every crisis is also an opportunity.

SHARE
Previous articleCELEBRITY PR & ENTERTAINMENT PR
Next articleJOB LESSONS LEARNED FROM STEVEN SLATER: HOW TO AVOID EMERGENCY SLIDES
Ronn Torossian is the Founder & Chairman of 5W Public Relations, one of the largest independently owned PR firms in the United States. Since founding 5WPR in 2003, he has led the company's growth and vision, with the agency earning accolades including being named a Top 50 Global PR Agency by PRovoke Media, a top three NYC PR agency by O'Dwyers, one of Inc. Magazine's Best Workplaces and being awarded multiple American Business Awards, including a Stevie Award for PR Agency of the Year. With over 25 years of experience crafting and executing powerful narratives, Torossian is one of America's most prolific and well-respected public relations executives. Throughout his career he has advised leading and high-growth businesses, organizations, leaders and boards across corporate, technology and consumer industries. Torossian is known as one of the country's foremost experts on crisis communications. He has lectured on crisis PR at Harvard Business School, appears regularly in the media and has authored two editions of his book, "For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations," which is an industry best-seller. Torossian's strategic, resourceful approach has been recognized with numerous awards including being named the Stevie American Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year, the American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year, twice over, an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist, a Top Crisis Communications Professional by Business Insider, Metropolitan Magazine's Most Influential New Yorker, and a recipient of Crain's New York Most Notable in Marketing & PR. Outside of 5W, Torossian serves as a business advisor to and investor in multiple early stage businesses across the media, B2B and B2C landscape. Torossian is the proud father of two daughters. He is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member of multiple not for profit organizations.