Testimonials

The following unsolicited testimonial was sent to a prospective client who was checking my references.

Dear Trina,

As you gathered from our conversation, I am passionate about our obligation, as professional communicators, to ensure that our respective organizations are fully prepared to manage any crisis, big or small, and communicate with those affected as well as the news media as quickly and accurately as possible. I was stunned to see the cover headline in the April 23 issue of PR Week: "VA Tech creates comms team in wake of tragedy." How can that be?

I have worked with Gerard Braud for about four years now. He is our go-to media trainer and crisis communications consultant. We have faced a series of challenging issues over the last two years and with his sound counsel have navigated these not only for the benefit of Goodwill Industries but also for the benefit of the news media and public who were concerned enough to write and read about them. With his good counsel, we have learned how to be truly transparent while ensuring that our stakeholders and the general public understand exactly what we are saying. In an organization that thrives on jargon and acronyms, that is no small feat.

Last year I finally secured the funding to engage Gerard's services in developing our crisis communications plan. Believe it or not, this task had been on my to-do list for about eight years, and my boss' list for 17! We spent two days with Gerard, analyzing the many areas of vulnerability and crafting appropriate responses to multiple scenarios. The plan is so simple that even our CEO could execute it.

I want to note that we are based in the Washington, DC area and have at our disposal an array of PR firms and consultants in our own neighborhood. That we reach into yours is evidence that Gerard's work is of the highest caliber. And, as an "independent" practitioner, he brings to the table genuine concern and interest for the well-being of YOUR organization and stakeholders.

I hope this is helpful - please do not hesitate to contact me if I can offer additional information.

Best regards,
Christine

Christine Nyirjesy Bragale, ABC
Director, Media Relations
Goodwill Industries International

The following is also an unsolicited reference to the same prospective client.

Trina,

Gerard Braud is outstanding - plain and simple. I had the privilege of attending one of his intensive crisis communication training workshops in New Orleans. It was by far the best of the many trainings on crisis communication that I've attended. Even after the training, Gerard kept in touch to make sure that our department was getting the most out of the crisis plan he helped to develop. He continued to serve as a de facto
crisis communication advisor to the Florida Department of Transportation public information office while I was with the agency.

Gerard's approach to crisis communication is extremely hands on and easily translatable to everyone in the organization - from communication professionals to support staff. I believe his counsel would be most beneficial to the staff and students of your university. I can think of no one better to fill that role.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions about Gerard or his approach to crisis communication.

Tait J. Martin, Ph.D.
Director of Research
Marketing for Change, Inc