Campus Access Only
All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of University of the Pacific. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.
Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
Public Relations
First Advisor
Carol Hackley
First Committee Member
Qingwen Dong
Second Committee Member
Jon Schamber
Abstract
This thesis examines the public affairs crisis faced by the American Red Cross after the September 11 terrorist attacks. It begins with an introduction of the organization, and continues with a discussion of the crisis that developed over what the organization might do with money donated after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Eight themes emerged from this case study: similarities and differences between non-profit and corporate public relations; objectives in crisis communication; conflict between organizational protocol and public expectations; media sensationalism; effects of the crisis; the organization's response; the phenomenon of spinoff issues (secondary crises); and the veracity of statements concerning the organization. Four major implications exist. Non-profit organizations must communicate openly with the media in a crisis. Preparation is vital in issues management. It is important to consider prodomes (warning signs), value conflicts, and spinoff issues. Finally, organizations need to engage in proactive public relations.
Pages
161
ISBN
9780496117833 , 0496117831
Recommended Citation
Reed, Kathaleen E.. (2004). A public affairs case study of the American Red Cross after September 11. University of the Pacific, Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/2627
To access this thesis/dissertation you must have a valid pacific.edu email address and log-in to Scholarly Commons.
Find in PacificSearch Find in ProQuestIf you are the author and would like to grant permission to make your work openly accessible, please email
Rights Statement
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
