Covid, Crisis and Communication: Finding the Right Approach
Tackling how we communicate during COVID-19
by Kennedy Henderson
COVID-19 has drastically changed the way businesses and organizations communicate with their stakeholders. That is why Old Dominion University's very own COMM 309 Media Relations class, instructed by Brendan O'Hallarn, is hosting the inaugural Covid, Crisis and Communication panel on Dec. 1, 2021, at 7:15 p.m. in the Yetiv Auditorium, BAL 1012. Additionally, ODU PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) will be co-hosting the event. The event is also being streamed on Zoom (link: https://odu.zoom.us/j/91578226904).
Four panel members, Dr. Don Stansberry, Vice President of ODU Student Engagement and Enrollment Services; Giovanna Genard, ODU Assistant Vice President for Strategic Communication & Marketing; Rebecca Hansen, Marketing Manager of Hampton Coliseum/Hampton Arts Commission; Christy Marron, owner of Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant; and Aneil Kumar, CEO of ASciS Solutions, will provide valuable insight on appropriate communication tactics.
"In many ways, COVID has been the most important topic that organizations have communicated about for the past 18 months. And it's so complex to communicate," said Brendan O'Hallarn, lecturer in the Department of Communication & Theatre Arts. "Students in Media Relations have explored these topics throughout the semester, and they get the added experience of planning and executing the event itself."
As COVID-19 continues to impact our lives, it is important to ensure that the message is being relayed in a digestible, approachable fashion.
If interested in attending the event, please contact Brendan O'Hallarn, at bohllar@odu.edu, for more information.