IR Services Crisis Communications When the Stock Is Under Pressure
Fast, consistent communication with investors, analysts, employees and the board when leadership, results or reputation are in question.
Crisis communications for a public company protects credibility with shareholders, analysts and employees when something goes wrong. Missed guidance, a CEO departure, a short attack, an activist investor, a regulatory problem or a lawsuit can move the stock before management has the full picture. Hayden IR helps management and the board decide what to say, when and to whom, and keeps the message consistent across investor relations, internal and public channels.
When Regis Corporation’s CEO resigned, Hayden IR led the communications strategy. We pre-announced strong preliminary same-store sales, highlighted succession planning and the interim CEO, drafted the release with management and the board, and prepared communications for employees and franchisees. The stock remained stable after the announcement. We have also guided clients through regulatory challenges, management changes, a potential lawsuit and missed guidance, working to limit share price erosion.
What’s Included
Rapid Situation Assessment
A quick review of the facts, disclosure obligations and likely investor reaction, coordinated with legal counsel.
Statements and Press Releases
Holding statements and press releases drafted and revised with management and the board.
Stakeholder Messaging
Consistent talking points for investors, analysts, employees, customers and partners.
Investor and Analyst Calls
Real-time updates and unscheduled calls with major shareholders and analysts to address concerns directly.
Management Change Communications
Communication plans for CEO and executive departures, succession and interim appointments.
Activist and Short-Seller Response
Fact-based responses to activist campaigns and short reports, with direct outreach to key holders.
Recovery Outreach
Follow-up messaging and investor meetings to rebuild confidence once the immediate issue passes.
How We Work
Assess
We gather the facts quickly, identify what must be disclosed and judge how investors are likely to react.
Prepare
We draft the release, Q&A and internal communications, and align management, the board and counsel.
Communicate
We support the announcement and follow up directly with major shareholders and analysts.
Rebuild
We monitor the reaction, report feedback and keep investors focused on the long-term story.
What Success Looks Like
- Management and the board prepared before the news goes out
- One consistent message for investors, analysts, employees and partners
- Limited share price erosion through a difficult event
- Investor attention back on the business once the issue passes
Related Case Studies
Nasdaq: RGS
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Regis Corporation
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Animal HealthCrisis Communications FAQs
What Is Crisis Communications for a Public Company?
Crisis communications is the planning and delivery of messages when an event threatens a company’s credibility or share price, such as a CEO departure, missed guidance, a short attack, an activist campaign, litigation or a regulatory issue. For a public company, it has to meet disclosure obligations, keep messages consistent for investors, employees and customers, and move quickly. The goal is to limit the damage and keep investors focused on the long-term story.
How Should a Company Announce a CEO Departure?
Announce it with a clear succession plan, a consistent explanation and, where possible, evidence that the business is performing. Prepare the press release, talking points, communications for employees and partners, and calls with major shareholders and analysts. When Regis Corporation’s CEO resigned, Hayden IR paired the announcement with strong preliminary same-store sales and the appointment of an interim CEO, and the stock remained stable after the news.
What Should a Company Do After Missing Guidance?
Explain what happened and why, say what management is doing about it and update guidance if needed. Then show investors the parts of the business that remain on track. Hayden IR has helped clients such as TechPrecision navigate negative quarterly surprises by keeping investor attention on the long-term outlook.
Should a Company Have a Crisis Plan Before Anything Goes Wrong?
Yes. A basic plan names the spokespeople, sets approval steps for statements, lists the key holders and analysts to call and includes draft holding statements for likely scenarios. With that in place, a company can respond in hours instead of days. Hayden IR helps clients prepare as part of an ongoing investor relations program.
