A new Answer Key PR website is coming soon!
When a hip-hop song called “F@#K Donald Trump” and the arrest of 13 players jeopardized the fate of a growing NCAA football team, the experts at Answer Key implemented crisis management efforts that helped save the program.
The day after President Donald Trump was elected, a video of the University of Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajun football team celebrating a win by dancing and chanting in their locker room to a hip-hop song called “F@#K Donald Trump” went viral and placed the team in the center of a national spotlight. A university strongly supported by Pro-Trump donors, mixed with a football team comprised of mostly African-American players, and the addition of politically charged comments from a head coach in the midst of tense presidential election results—all created the perfect crisis.
Answer Key worked closely with UL’s Athletic Department to manage the crisis. We formulated strategic messages, and coordinated with the head football coach and administrators to handle all media relations. We also worked to dispel rumors and maintain positive relationships with student-athletes, donors, university organizations, and all other important stakeholders. We were also called-in to help four months later when a former football player was charged with rape, and 13 other football players were arrested for theft.
The results? Answer Key’s crisis management efforts allowed the UL Lafayette Football team to complete the season and even participate in a bowl game. We improved community relations and assisted in the successful transition of a new Athletic Director. We also advised on the development of the Geaux Cajuns Program and other efforts that better position the Ragin Cajuns for success.
Professionals are often so consumed with their respective job tasks that they often neglect the importance of successful communication.
In September of 2017, Answer Key’s Principal Consultant, André Williams, was asked by the Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS) to conduct a presentation on “communication” to the residents, medical students, physicians and other allied health professionals at Ochsner Health Center in Metairie, Louisiana. The presentation covered practical patient-centered communication skills, overcoming barriers, and dealing with difficult patients and/or difficult situations.
The results? Several physicians, clinics, and other medical institutions have contracted Answer Key for trainings and speaking engagements to improve their communication operations.
The consultants at Answer Key helped one of the largest business publications in the nation introduce social media and new forms of communication into their business model, while forming valuable partnerships in the process.
In 2010, when social media was still in experimental stages, the consultants who now manage Answer Key used experience and foresight to assist Black Enterprise Magazine in expanding their brand. Our consultants planned and coordinated an energy forum that partnered with some of the publication's largest sponsors (Shell Oil Co., US Department of Energy, EPA) to present an event that assembled some of the most influential minds (Van Jones, Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, Jerome Ringo) in the energy and environmental sectors. Our consultants promoted the forum through Blogs, Twitter, and online articles, then covered the event in real-time social media platforms that allowed guests and followers to interact with forum participants.
The results? The event was so successful that the title sponsor, Shell Oil Co., requested the coordination of a second forum nine months later. The social and digital media strategies implemented were so successful that the publication now has entire departments devoted to using these tactics to promote their events.
When more than $1.5billion in carbon credit initiatives were put on the table, we helped landowners and industry experts pursue these opportunities.
When the initial idea of using carbon credits to help generate funding to restore and protect Louisiana’s coast was introduced, many were hesitant to pursue these opportunities. Answer Key’s Principal Consultant, André Williams, worked with Arkansas-based company Timberland Enterprises to build relationships and foster discussions with wetland scientists, investors, and landowners.
The results? The public relations efforts implemented helped set the stage for unique business opportunities and allowed several carbon credit projects to move forward.
When competition for funds and participation threatens success, businesses and organizations contact Answer Key for help.
For years the consultants at Answer Key have worked closely with the oil and gas industry. When a downfall in the industry caused board members of one of the sector’s largest nonprofit organizations to look for ways to increase sponsorship and participation in their annual event, we were contacted to help. Answer Key worked with the Louisiana Oilmen’s Bass Invitational (LOBI) to develop a responsive, interactive website that allows industry representatives to register, donate, and even sponsor directly through the site:(www.lobibass.com).
The results? The LOBI, which has donated more than $1.6million to local charities, now has the capabilities to maintain relationships with their valuable contacts, and maximize the efforts of securing both participants and sponsors for their fishing tournament.
Info on DSRA spreads as fast as the boats they drive!
In 2015, the nonprofit organization Deep South Racing Association (DSRA) was looking to extend their reach, and include more participation and involvement in their water outboard power races. Many of the board members were familiar with Answer Key’s work, and reached out to us for assistance in re-branding the organization. Answer Key helped to develop a simple website that could be maintained by the organization’s members, and also helped to integrate all social media platforms so that messages were coherent, and easily distributed to reach a national audience.
The results? DSRA is now the most well-known high-powered racing association in the national circuit. Their races now draw fans and participants from across the country, and their website and social media networks gain traffic and viewers that constantly increase sponsorship value.