Framing the Conversation
Case Studies and Thoughts on the Communications Industry
The Emergency Alert on Your Phone Was Years in the Making. Good Communication Starts Well Before the Message.
An emergency alert takes less than a minute to read. The system behind it, from the agency that issues it to the network that validates and delivers it, has to be in place long before anything happens. The same principle applies to a construction notice or a public update.
A 36-Minute Jog Just Broadcast the Location of a Nuclear Aircraft Carrier. Your Organization Might Be Making the Same Mistake
A French sailor's Strava run exposed a $4-billion aircraft carrier's location. The same communications gap threatens Canadian companies entering the defence sector. Here's what organizations need to know about operational security and media training.
Media Training: Why Alberta’s New Councils Cannot Wait After Election Day
On October 20, 2025 Alberta will elect new mayors and councillors across the province. Many will be new to public office and they will often look to municipal staff to help them prepare for immediate media attention. Under Alberta’s Municipal Government Act (MGA), councils are entrusted with broad authority and responsibility from their first day in office. That authority comes with public accountability, and media attention is one of the most visible ways it shows up. Reporters will be looking for quotes within hours of swearing-in ceremonies.
When Should You Bring in a Stakeholder Engagement Firm? Five Signs Your Project Needs Outside Support
Engagement often lands on a project manager's desk alongside schedule, budget and design. Here are five signs a project needs outside support, and when an in-house approach can work.
What Is the Difference Between Public Relations and Media Relations? Here Is How Each One Works
Public relations covers every audience that matters to an organization. Media relations is the part that works with journalists and news outlets. Here is how each one works and how they fit together.
A Construction Media Event Lasts Less Than an Hour. Here Is What Goes Into Planning One
A groundbreaking can look simple on the day. We spoke with reVerb Project Director Jennifer Villeneuve about the weeks of planning behind a construction media event, and the day the wind picked up.
Community Meetings Keep Infrastructure Projects Moving. Here Is How Our Team Runs Them
When construction changes how people get around, a community meeting gives that frustration somewhere to go. Here is how reVerb prepares for and runs those meetings.
The Valley Line Southeast Won Two CEA Showcase Awards. Here Is the Communication Work Behind the Project
The Valley Line Southeast LRT received an Award of Excellence and an Award of Merit at the 2025 CEA Showcase Awards. Here is the public safety communication work reVerb led for the City of Edmonton.
Seven Communication Mistakes That Damage Credibility. Here Is How to Fix Each One
Unclear updates, mixed messages, promises that slip and slow responses in a crisis. We look at seven common communication mistakes and the practical steps that fix each one.
Cambie Street Businesses Expected a Tunnel. The Canada Line Brought an Open Street and Years in Court
Cambie Street merchants expected a bored tunnel. Cut-and-cover construction opened the street for years and led to more than a decade of litigation. We look at what was communicated and what transit projects can apply today.
A Promise Made in Passing Turned Into a Project Dispute. Here Is How to Keep Small Commitments From Becoming Big Problems
A business owner was told a stretch of private road would be paved at no cost. Nobody wrote it down. We look at how the promise became a dispute and how project teams can keep track of what they commit to.
The 2022 Rogers Outage: Crisis Communication Lessons for Essential Services
In July 2022 a Rogers network failure cut service to more than 12 million customers. We look at what went wrong in the public communication and what essential service providers can apply today.
CIBC Paid a $30 Million Fine Over Text Messages. Here Is What It Means for How Your Team Communicates
In 2024 a U.S. regulator fined CIBC $30 million after staff used personal text messages for business and the records were not kept. We look at what happened and what it means for teams in Alberta.
Framing the Conversation is a space dedicated to exploring best practices, challenges, and lessons in the communications industry. Whether analyzing real-world case studies or discussing broader communication principles, this series dives into what makes messaging effective and how organizations can build credibility through clear, transparent, and strategic communication.
Through this series, we examine the pitfalls that organizations often encounter, such as inconsistent messaging, lack of transparency, and failure to listen to stakeholders. By identifying these common issues, we highlight ways to improve communication strategies, both in public and corporate settings. We also look at case studies from various industries, analyzing how companies, government agencies, and public figures handle communication challenges. From crisis response to proactive messaging, these examples offer valuable insights into what works and what doesn't when engaging with the public, customers, or employees.
Beyond crisis management, Framing the Conversation covers topics such as effective stakeholder engagement, digital communication trends, and the role of social media in shaping public perception. Our goal is to provide actionable takeaways that help professionals refine their communication strategies, build trust, and enhance their messaging.
By learning from past successes and failures, organizations can strengthen their communication approach. Stay tuned as we continue to explore the evolving landscape of the communications industry.