The Mach 1 Group (Mach 1) is proud to work with a wide range of clients, all of whom are passionate about their causes and work. This week, we wanted to take a moment to highlight the work of one of our amazing clients: Keep Austin Fed.

Every year, The Mach 1 Group selects a nonprofit with a deserving mission to offer our pro bono support.

This year, we are elated to work alongside the wonderful team at Keep Austin Fed.

With the pandemic lingering, the cost of living increasing and economic uncertainty on the horizon, more Austin residents are struggling to put food on the table. In 2021, a projected 14.7% of residents in Travis County, or over 190,000 members of the community, experienced food insecurity, while over 450 million pounds of food in the city went uneaten. Keep Austin Fed is a champion for neighbors experiencing food insecurity, reducing hunger and helping the environment by connecting neighbors in need with surplus food.

Recently, Mach 1 has worked with the Keep Austin Fed leadership team to raise awareness of the organization’s essential work.

Below are a few highlights:

• They unveiled their first cold storage location, allowing them to collect and keep perishable foods from spoiling during non-business hours.
• They absorbed the nonprofit Save The Food to combine resources, networks and expertise to expand their reach and serve more of Austin’s food-insecure communities.

To join us in supporting Keep Austin Fed visit www.keepaustinfed.org

The post Client Spotlight: Keep Austin Fed appeared first on The Mach 1 Group.

Last week Texas gubernatorial candidates faced off for their first (and only) televised debate.

While thousands tuned in for the hour-long discussion, the candidates and their teams have been working behind the scenes for months to craft the perfect soundbites and prepare for the unexpected.

The tradition of debate prep stretches as far back as political debates themselves, with an increased emphasis placed on them after the first televised debate between Kennedy and Nixon highlighted the importance of a vigorous showing to audiences at home.

While you may not be taking the stage any time soon, consider deploying these debate prep strategies as you head into your next interview:

Go for the Headline
When it comes to debating, the goal is always to come out on top. But in order to win, you need to have a strategy. The starting point for any debate strategy is figuring out your ideal headline the day after the debate. The same is true for any media interview. Consider the headline you want to run and craft your key points to tell that story.

Know your Opponent
In debate prep, opposition research can be essential. The same is true in an interview. Spending time getting to know the reporter, the types of questions they ask and the angles they take can ensure you’re prepared for whatever they throw your way.

Practice Makes Perfect
When it comes to debating, even the most seasoned politicians realize the importance of having a good prep team. Practicing for a media interview is always worth it, no matter how big or small. Rehearsing how you plan to answer that worst-case scenario question can help you shine when the pressure is on.

The post Lessons from Debate Prep appeared first on The Mach 1 Group.

The 88th Texas Legislative Session is in just 135 days. (!!) As the clock counts down, committees push on, holding their final hearings on interim charges. Whether you’re an invited witness providing expert testimony, advocating for your issue during public comment or helping a client prepare, consider these strategies to amplify your message.

Avoid the Weeds

As an industry expert, you’re well equipped to take a deep dive into a topic area. Unfortunately, testimony doesn’t allow for such an exploration to occur. With most public testimony between two and three minutes, stick to high-level messaging to effectively get your point across – offering to supplement your comments with written testimony and handouts with additional information.

Find a Niche

Depending on the topic at hand, some issues or charges can have hundreds signed up to testify. To help your testimony stand out, focus on what unique viewpoint you bring to the discussion and why that viewpoint needs to be heard.

Ditch the Paper

Remembering what you want to say can be nerve-racking. To appear confident and competent, avoid reading your testimony directly from a paper in front of you. Instead, take up bullet-pointed notes and speak directly to committee members.

Giving a good testimony doesn’t have to be complicated. With these simple tips, you’ll be on your way to becoming an expert witness in no time. If you or your clients need preparation support or custom training, please know we can help!

The post A Simple Guide to Legislative Testimony appeared first on The Mach 1 Group.

Summer vacation season may be in full swing, but the recent news cycle has been anything but relaxing. With a slate of contentious Supreme Court rulings, ongoing international conflicts and social issues taking center stage, organizations across industries have started to take a stand – and dominate media coverage as a result.

A few years ago, organizations speaking out on controversial or hot-button issues would have been deemed too risky. However, in today’s ESG-driven environment with socially conscious consumers, employees and investors, brands are increasingly pressured to speak up.

So, what are the new rules for this unprecedented era of organizational advocacy? If your organization is thinking about speaking up, there are a few things to consider.

Silence Counts
Regardless of the intention, silence is now considered a stance. Organizations cannot and should not comment on every news event. Save your voice for when it matters most to you and your team. Inconsistent commenting can give the impression that some issues are more important than others, though. It’s a tricky balance. The point is: do your best to fully consider the implications of staying silent and speaking up before taking action (or not) on a specific issue.

Lead from Within
Employees are important stakeholders. While you cannot please everyone, before deciding to weigh in, take the temperature of your employees, Board of Directors, shareholders and stakeholders. Understanding your workplace’s general attitude can help you make an informed decision – regardless of if you take action or not.

Match Your Words
The modern consumer expects brands to not only meet their needs but also to share their values. However, many brands still rely on lip service instead of meaningful action regarding social responsibility – leading to increased scrutinization and negative news coverage. If you speak up, be sure your words match your actions.

Consult the Experts
Before you decide, consult your government affairs, communications and legal team to get a holistic view of potential consequences. This team can guide your decision and help you avoid any potential pitfalls.

The post The New Era of Organizational Advocacy appeared first on The Mach 1 Group.

With more brands and consumers online than ever before, it’s no surprise that what used to be private is now public. In fact, 39% of consumers report providing brands feedback via social media. No industry is immune. Recently, Dollar General, Hertz, Airbnb and Popeyes have all experienced crises brought on by social media.

By integrating social media into your crisis communications plan, you can stay informed and effectively manage the crisis and communicate with your stakeholders.

Below are a few tips for using social media in a crisis:

Incident Monitoring
Consider social media your lookout for a potential crisis. Individuals are likely to take to their profiles to post when an incident occurs. Utilizing a monitoring system to search for keywords related to your company can tip you off to a crisis way before you start getting tagged.

Message Delivery
60% of journalists report visiting a company’s social media while working on a story. In times of crisis, this can work to your advantage. Be sure your messaging appears across social platforms to inform journalists and consumers that may be looking for additional information.

Performance Assessment
By tracking your mentions and their sentiment, you can assess how effective your communications response is. As you respond to an event, the number of mentions should fall as the sentiment changes to neutral. Don’t get discouraged if a few users stay on the topic; instead, look for overall trends.

The post Social Media Crisis Planning appeared first on The Mach 1 Group.