In the 1960s, Andy Warhol said, "Everyone will have 15 minutes of fame." In today’s "build 'em up, knock 'em down" media-centric society, Warhol’s quote needs to be updated. After 20 years of working with top brands and executives, my research shows that businesses have 15 days of media attention that will bring them fame or shame. How well people respond will make or break careers, companies and causes.  

Who would have thought five years ago that a 140-character mistake could cost a company billions? Our research reveals the media tend to report on a brand crisis for 15 days – roughly two weeks. In our fast-paced digital world, 15 days may seem like an eternity, but, that is the reality! The news is covered more extensively now than ever before. The brands that manage a crisis well can cut that time in half; whereas, brands that don’t can drag out an issue for up to six 15-day cycles before the media are done tearing them apart.  

Imagine if your event was under such scrutiny? How would you respond? How would your education sessions, materials and event promotion change to meet the current state of your industry? 

As an event planner, how have you handled a defamatory tweet from your conference? How do you address a news story that changes how your attendees do business? How do you respond in real-time to a speaker, executive or board scandal as an event is taking place? 

At Conclave, I will facilitate a session that will teach you how to manage these incidents using our SPIKE framework. A SPIKE is a Sudden Point of Interest that Kick-starts Exposure ... good or bad. For a moment, the busy world has stopped in their tracks, and they are paying attention to your brand, organization or industry.

Event planners are either going to minimize the shame or maximize the fame. The SPIKE plan is your ticket to minimizing and maximizing event crises and opportunities, so they serve you rather than sabotage you.