Future Trends in Crisis Communication: Key Insights from Global Reports

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Dear reader,

In this week's edition of the Wag The Dog Newsletter, I take a closer look at three recently published reports that I believe are highly relevant to our profession.

I previously discussed "strategic foresight," and these reports should be on the radar of communicators who are looking ahead.

While these reports cover broader topics, I focused my analysis on crisis and risk trends, as they are most pertinent to our work.

But first I have some results to share…

Last week I conducted a survey of subscribers to this newsletter to gauge interest in a new project I'm developing. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took part 🙏 Your insights are invaluable and will feed directly into the future of this initiative.

Of all respondents, coordination with internal teams and stakeholders was the most frequently cited challenge during a crisis. 55% of respondents cited this as a key issue.

Although 61% of respondents are developing their own crisis plans and strategies, interest in external support remains high, with 75% stating that they're interested or very interested in a crisis communication training platform. This shows that they're open to enhancing their capabilities through external resources, even if they already have internal plans in place.

The survey also showed that the most valued features of this future platform are real-time crisis simulations, templates and checklists for planning and access to experts via workshops or consulting.

Respondents expressed a desire for practical, hands-on training: 55% favour simulations, 52% want case studies and 42% value certifications. Remarkably, 73% said they'd be likely or very likely to use such a platform. These results emphasise the need for additional crisis communication resources, particularly interactive training and expertise based on real-life scenarios.

For those of you who haven't had a chance to voice your opinion, the survey is still open. Your opinion is important and I'd love to hear from you as I continue to develop this project. Stay tuned — exciting things are coming and I can't wait to share more with you soon.

Now on to the analysis of the three reports! Have a read and let me know your thoughts.

Table of Contents

• The era of compound crises

• Climate crisis: a game changer

• The rising importance of cyber resilience

• Psychosocial impacts: the hidden crisis

• Localisation and Early Warning Systems

• The power of data and collaboration

• Looking ahead: shared spaces and global shifts

• What does this mean for us communicators?

• References and further reading.

• Sponsor

• What I am reading/testing/checking out:

The era of compound crises

The WorldRiskReport 2024¹ highlights that we are entering an era of multiple, interacting crises. Conflicts, pandemics, and environmental degradation are no longer isolated but often occur simultaneously, amplifying each other's impacts. As communicators, we must develop strategies that address these compound risks, explain complex interactions to our audiences, and prepare them for multifaceted emergency scenarios.

Climate crisis: a game changer

The climate crisis (please don’t call it climate change) is significantly altering the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The Global Strategic Trends² report projects this trend to continue through 2055. We need to adapt our communication strategies to address increasingly frequent, intense, and often overlapping disasters, with a focus on building long-term resilience.

The rising importance of cyber resilience

The report "A Board-Level View of Cyber Resilience"³ emphasises the growing threat of cyberattacks. As communicators, we must be prepared to address digital crises with the same urgency as physical ones. This includes understanding the technical aspects of cybersecurity and translating them into clear, actionable messages for diverse stakeholders.

Psychosocial impacts: the hidden crisis

The WorldRiskReport 2024 draws attention to the often-overlooked psychosocial impacts of crises. Our communication strategies should incorporate mental health considerations, offering support and resources alongside practical emergency information.

Localisation and Early Warning Systems

Both the WorldRiskReport and Global Strategic Trends emphasise the importance of local knowledge and early warning systems. We should focus on developing community-based communication networks and leveraging technology to provide timely, localised alerts.

The power of data and collaboration

New methods of compound risk analysis are emerging. As communicators, we should collaborate closely with data scientists and risk analysts to translate complex risk assessments into clear, impactful messages for our audiences.

Looking ahead: shared spaces and global shifts

The Global Strategic Trends report highlights emerging risk areas in shared spaces such as the Arctic, space, and cyberspace. We need to expand our communication frameworks to address these new frontiers of risk.

What does this mean for us communicators?

As risk, crisis, and emergency communicators, these global trends demand a significant shift in our approach. We must develop more integrated, adaptive communication strategies that address multiple, interconnected risks simultaneously.

This involves breaking down silos between different types of crises in our messaging, enhancing our technical knowledge on complex issues like cybersecurity and climate change, and adopting a multi-channel approach to reach diverse audiences.

We should prioritise pre-crisis communication and long-term engagement, focusing on building community resilience and preparedness. Localising and personalising our messages to make global risks tangible at the local level is vital. Incorporating mental health considerations into our communications is crucial, acknowledging the psychological impacts of crises alongside practical guidance.

As risk assessments become more complex, we need to improve our data visualisation skills to effectively convey this information. Finally, creating cross-sector collaboration with scientists, policymakers, and community leaders will be essential to ensure our communications are comprehensive, accurate, and aligned with the evolving risk landscape.

In short, our role as risk, crisis, and emergency communicators is more important than ever. By staying informed about these global trends and adapting our strategies accordingly, we can better serve our communities and organisations.

Stay resilient and keep communicating!

Did you check out my crisis and emergency communication resources yet? You can download templates, checklists, and practical guidance on this page. You will find tools such as a Crisis Communication Plan Template, the Audience Canvas for Emergency Communication, and much more.

References and further reading.

1  ck. (2024, September 9). WeltRisikoBericht. WeltRisikoBericht. https://weltrisikobericht.de/worldriskreport/

2  Ministry of Defence. (2024, September 26). Global Strategic Trends: Out to 2055. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/global-strategic-trends-out-to-2055

3  Greis, J., Wallance, D., & Brown, S. (2024, August 27). A board-level view of cyber resilience. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/risk-and-resilience/our-insights/a-board-level-view-of-cyber-resilience

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What I am reading/testing/checking out:

• Tool: BlinkShot - real-time image generation with AI

• Article: Confronting Misinformation During Disasters: Strategies for Crisis Communicators

• Tool: MotionShot - easily create SOPs, guides and tutorials

• Platform: Movement - create your own responsive app to deliver content and engage with your community. (PS: probably a winner for my educational community project)

PS: I hope you've enjoyed this newsletter! Creating it each weekend is a labour of love that I provide for free. If you've found my writing valuable, the best way to support it is by sharing it with others. Please click the share links below to spread the word with your friends and colleagues; it would mean so much to me. Thank you for reading!

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_{Parts of this newsletter were created using AI technology to draft content. In addition, all AI-generated images include a caption stating, 'This image was created using AI'. These changes were made in line with the transparency requirements of the EU AI law for AI-generated content. Some links in this newsletter may be affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase; however, I only promote tools and services that I have tested, use myself, or am convinced will make a positive difference.}