Welcome Message!

Welcome to the New and Improved PIO Guy Website: Your Hub for Effective Crisis Communication and home of THPR Group.

I am absolutely thrilled to introduce you to our newly redesigned website, dedicated to improving communication, training, and information for all crisis communicators. At The PIO Guy, I understand the vital role that effective communication …

Crisis Communication Equation

When there’s an emergency or important event happening, the Public Information Officer (PIO) has a crucial role in crisis communication. Their main job is to make sure that the right information reaches the right people at the right time. But what does that really mean?

First, they need to gather the correct information. As the …

Media planning for crisis communications.

8 Steps to Develop an Effective Crisis Communication Plan for Your Private Business

Every business, big or small, is susceptible to a crisis and you need a crisis communication plan. These can come in many forms, such as natural disasters, cyber-attacks, product recalls, financial downturns, or even a pandemic like we’ve experienced recently. While it’s impossible to predict every possible crisis that could happen, it’s crucial to …

Bridging Statements: Navigating Media Interviews with Confidence

Sheriff Mellinger (Ret.) being interviewed by media during a lost child search.

In my podcast last week, I discussed the importance of bridging Statements. I promised to write a blog to give more written information about bridging statements. In today’s media-driven world, interviews with the news media play a significant role in shaping public …

The PIO Golden Hour

Law Enforcement on scene on a response.

As a Public Information Officer (PIO), the first 60 minutes of a disaster can be one of the most critical periods of your career and this is the Golden Hour to any large scale response.. This is the time when the PIO must act quickly and effectively …

Why is Your Agency Not on Social Media?

Literally Facebook is larger than most countries around the world.  People spend hours a day reading, watching and listening to social media posts.  Why would any public safety agency not want to use a medium of journalism, that you and your agency can control every single message you post.

That’s right, nobody else controls your …

The Role of a Public Information Officer: A Commitment to Professionalism

Introduction:
Assuming the position of Public Information Officer (PIO) within an agency brings with it great responsibility and a significant time commitment. While your work hours may align with regular administrative schedules, the demands of this role transcend the conventional Monday-to-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM timeframe. In today’s world, where technology permeates our lives …