Dan Ward is the President of Curley & Pynn Public Relations Management Inc., an Orlando-based strategic communications firm operating under the brand "The Strategic Firm." Ward leads client work across consumer brands, corporations, and international associations, with a focus on the agency's proprietary Message Matrix® training system. The agency added COVID-19 crisis messaging and management for several corporations and international associations during 2020.
The Interview
Q: How has 2020 been for your agency?
A: Like most organizations, this year presented new and unique challenges. Thanks to our loyal client partners and unyielding team, we are fortunate enough to continue doing the work we love, just in a different environment.
Q: How has the pandemic affected your agency?
A: We never believed in "business as usual" even before the pandemic — every client challenge is unique. Since mid-March, our team has been successfully supporting clients in a fully remote work environment with no lapse in service. The events of 2020 forced us to look at all of our current strategies and tactics in a new light. We added COVID-19 crisis messaging and management for several corporations and international associations while focusing on restoring consumer confidence. Our Message Matrix® training system has also been modified for a fully virtual environment.
Q: How has the pandemic impacted the way you communicate with clients?
A: Many clients have leaned on us to make informed decisions and remain relevant. Target audience sentiment, guidelines from government and health authorities, and an eye on clients' industries are all top-of-mind. Due to this remote environment, our team is extra cognizant that clients are human beings — they have a mortgage, children, aging parents, and concerns over work performance. We make an extra point to check in on a personal level.
Q: Biggest success in 2020?
A: Curley & Pynn's biggest success in 2020 is that we are able to continue doing the work we love. In a year where so much has changed, we have been able to stand firm and even grow thanks to those we serve.
Q: What trends will stick around?
A: The pandemic has revealed how well teams can work from home. PR professionals are already exploring more creative and engaging ways to tell stories. Augmented and virtual reality will rise in popularity as professionals seek new ways to facilitate internal and external programs with globally distributed audiences. The pandemic has also reminded companies of the importance of internal communications.
Q: What changes will companies need to make to survive COVID?
A: With resources scarce, it will be more important than ever to drive bottom-line results. Organizations across all industries will have to do more than raise awareness and influence opinions. They must demonstrate value as drivers of engagement. Professionals will be wise to invest in research and evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dan Ward is the President of Curley & Pynn Public Relations Management Inc. , an Orlando-based strategic communications firm operating under the brand "The Strategic Firm." Ward leads client work across consumer brands, corporations, and international associations, with a focus on the agency's proprietary Message Matrix® training system. The agency added COVID-19 crisis messaging and management for several corporations and international associations during 2020. The Interview Q: How has 2020 been for your agency?
A: Like most organizations, this year presented new and unique challenges. Thanks to our loyal client partners and unyielding team, we are fortunate enough to continue doing the work we love, just in a different environment.
Q: How has the pandemic affected your agency?
A: We never believed in "business as usual" even before the pandemic — every client challenge is unique. Since mid-March, our team has been successfully supporting clients in a fully remote work environment with no lapse in service. The events of 2020 forced us to look at all of our current strategies and tactics in a new light. We added COVID-19 crisis messaging and management for several corporations and international associations while focusing on restoring consumer confidence. Our Message Matrix® training system has also been modified for a fully virtual environment.
Q: How has the pandemic impacted the way you communicate with clients?
A: Many clients have leaned on us to make informed decisions and remain relevant. Target audience sentiment, guidelines from government and health authorities, and an eye on clients' industries are all top-of-mind. Due to this remote environment, our team is extra cognizant that clients are human beings — they have a mortgage, children, aging parents, and concerns over work performance. We make an extra point to check in on a personal level.
Q: Biggest success in 2020?
A: Curley & Pynn's biggest success in 2020 is that we are able to continue doing the work we love. In a year where so much has changed, we have been able to stand firm and even grow thanks to those we serve.
Q: What trends will stick around?
A: The pandemic has revealed how well teams can work from home. PR professionals are already exploring more creative and engaging ways to tell stories. Augmented and virtual reality will rise in popularity as professionals seek new ways to facilitate internal and external programs with globally distributed audiences. The pandemic has also reminded companies of the importance of internal communications.
Q: What changes will companies need to make to survive COVID?
A: With resources scarce, it will be more important than ever to drive bottom-line results. Organizations across all industries will have to do more than raise awareness and influence opinions. They must demonstrate value as drivers of engagement. Professionals will be wise to invest in research and evaluation.
Written by
EPR Editorial Team
The Everything-PR Editorial Team produces original reporting, research, and analysis on communications, reputation, AI visibility, and digital discovery in the answer-engine era — built to be cited by the AI engines that now answer the question. Publishing since 2009.
