Because of cancel culture companies now have a need for crisis management teams and crisis management plans for social media emergencies.

1. SOCIAL MEDIA
How Cancel Culture Inspired Crisis Planning/Crisis Management

2. WHAT IS CANCEL
CULTURE?

3. Cancel culture can be defined differently depending
on who you ask.
The most common responses by far centered around
accountability. Some 49% of those familiar with the
term said it describes actions people take to hold
others accountable.

4. “According to the Pew
Research Center, 61% of
adults have heard of cancel
culture, up from 44% in
2020. But views of the power
of cancel culture are mixed.
For example, 51% of adults
say calling out people on
social media is more likely to
hold people accountable,
while 45% say it is likely to
punish people who did not
deserve it.” (Nierman, Evan)
Regardless of how you
personally view cancel
culture, it has a very real
impact on organizations. It’s
something that companies
need to prepare for.

5. WHAT IS CRISIS
PLANNING?
◦ Crisis planning is outlines how to
respond to a critical situation that
would negatively affect an
organization's profitability,
reputation or ability to operate.

6. WHAT IS CRISIS
MANAGEMENT?
◦ Crisis Management is meant to uphold a
company’s credibility and integrity during a
time of crisis. The team essentially plans and
manages the organization’s social media and PR
operations. Their goal is to monitor and assess
the situation and find the best way solution to
navigate the organization’s next steps.

7. How Crisis Management
is Intertwined with Cancel
Culture

8. ◦ The rise of social media has made us more
interconnected than ever. With that connection comes
various voices and opinions. We are constantly
advancing, just as we are constantly learning.
Organizations should learn from their mistakes and the
mistakes of others. What was once allowed during
another time period is unacceptable today, as we become
better.
◦ Communication works two ways, and it is not about
what the organization says or how it is said, but about
how the public perceives this message. When the
message is not clear or misinterpreted a crisis
management team can step in and correct the wrongs.
◦ Not only are misinterpretations a risk, but so are
scandals. A crisis management team will be equipped to
deal with any situation and quickly.

9. ◦ As a result of cancel culture brands are being
boycotted and revenue is suffering. A good crisis
management team will be able to walk you through
the next steps that should be taken to keep your
brand relevant and properly represent the company’s
values/.
◦ The photos to the left represent a few brands who
went through rebranding due to racism:
◦ Aunt Jemima changing their logo and name to Pearl
Mining Company.
◦ The Washington Redskins officially changed their name
and logo to the Washington Commanders.
◦ The Cleveland Indians also changed their name to
officially be the Cleveland Guardians.

10. ANALYSIS
Cancel culture is the newest trend and whether you believe it is
holding organizations responsible or simply punishing them, to
be successful you need to be prepared. The best way to be
prepared is to have a crisis management plan in place and/or
team depending on your organization’s budget.

11. References
Atske, Sara. “Americans and 'Cancel Culture': Where Some See Calls for Accountability, Others See Censorship,
Punishment.” Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech, Pew Research Center, 30 June 2022,
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/05/19/americans-and-cancel-culture-where-some-see-calls-for-accountability-others-see-
censorship-punishment/.
Crocetti, Paul. “What Is a Crisis Management Plan (CMP)?” Disaster Recovery, TechTarget, 8 Apr. 2020,
https://www.techtarget.com/searchdisasterrecovery/definition/crisis-management-plan-CMP.
Dixon, S. “U.S. Population Social Media Penetration 2021.” Statista, 27 July 2022,
https://www.statista.com/statistics/273476/percentage-of-us-population-with-a-social-network-profile/.
Nierman, Evan. “Why Social Media, Cancel Culture, and Crisis Management Have Become Intertwined.” Fast Company, 31 Aug.
2022, https://www.fastcompany.com/90781299/why-social-media-cancel-culture-and-crisis-management-have-become-intertwined.
Smith, Haley Victory. “Brand Values: Companies That Have Fallen Victim to 'Cancel Culture' in the Past Year.” Washington
Examiner, Washington Examiner, 6 Mar. 2021, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/brands-fallen-victim-cancel-culture.