Christopher Beard

Christopher Beard Email and Phone Number

Managing Director - The Crisis Shop @
Christopher Beard's Location
Gurnee, Illinois, United States, United States
About Christopher Beard

When companies are facing critical reputational issues and crises, they turn to me to counsel them and manage their communications. (I also help them prepare for those moments before they happen). How can I help you?I am a seasoned issues and crisis communications consultant with global experience across diverse industries, including CPG, healthcare, manufacturing, energy and utility, finance and professional services. I have managed crises in North America, Africa, Asia, and Europe, and I specialize in helping organizations prepare for, navigate, and recover from reputational challenges. Additionally, I work proactively with companies to identify potential risks and build strategies to mitigate them.I have significant experience working with organizations on immediate and merging reputational crises they are facing, and the proactive development and implementation of crisis communications plans. I have led strategic issues management and litigation communication support for organizations, helping them protect their reputation in the face of tough issues and intense media scrutiny.I have also created and implemented communication programs for organizations that elevate their corporate brand and enhance their reputation through media relations, thought leadership, executive visibility, and event management.

Christopher Beard's Current Company Details
The Crisis Shop

The Crisis Shop

Managing Director - The Crisis Shop
Christopher Beard Work Experience Details
  • The Crisis Shop
    Managing Director
    The Crisis Shop Dec 2024 - Present
    Chicago, Illinois, United States
    As the leader of the Crisis Shop, I help clients with crisis communication response, preparedness (including developing crisis communication plans and conducting crisis simulations), and crisis recovery. I work with clients to proactively identify reputational risks and create strategies to mitigate them. Additionally, I provide corporate narrative development, stakeholder engagement, and media relations.I bring a broad range of experience across industries including CPG, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, finance, and professional services. I have managed crises/ ran communication programs in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
  • Nisource
    Director Of External Communication
    Nisource Aug 2023 - Dec 2024
    Chicago, Illinois, United States
    Lead the strategy and execution of NiSource's external communications efforts. Develop, implement and execute an integrated communications plan and strategic projects that enhance NiSource's reputation, engage employees and expand awareness across all stakeholders. Lead a team recognized as a center of excellence in reputation management.
  • Transunion
    Director Corporate Affairs & Communication - Issues And Crisis
    Transunion Jun 2022 - Aug 2023
    Chicago, Illinois, United States
    Global lead for all issues and crisis communication, including data security issues such as data breaches, issues, malware, ransomware and impersonation. Additionally, lead communications and issues management on other areas including litigation, regulatory compliance, workplace violence and disruption of service.
  • University Of Iowa Health Care
    Director Strategic Communications
    University Of Iowa Health Care Jul 2021 - May 2022
    Iowa City, Iowa, United States
    Lead internal and external communications for an organization that is changing medicine and changing lives. Provide strategic advice to senior leadership and lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive communication plan, that supports the University of Iowa Health Care in its position as one of the nation's leading academic medical centers. This includes communication on patient care, research and education.
  • Sc
    Senior Director/ Regional Head Of Public Affairs, Communications And Government Affairs
    Sc Dec 2019 - Apr 2021
    Greater Milwaukee Area
    Responsible for Public Affairs, Communication and Government Relations for SC Johnson's European business.
  • Fermilab
    Head Of The Office Of Communication
    Fermilab Jan 2019 - Jan 2020
    Batavia, Il
    I work for America's particle physics and accelerator laboratory. We solve the mysteries of matter, energy, space and time for the benefit of all. And I get to share the stories of the amazing work the people at Fermilab do every single day.
  • Burson-Marsteller
    Senior Director
    Burson-Marsteller May 2012 - Jan 2019
    Greater Chicago Area
    Led the development and execution of communication and external affairs programs designed to enhance organizations’ reputations, as well as providing strategic counsel to senior communication executives. Responsibilities included creating and implementing programs that elevated corporate and product brand reputations through media relations, thought leadership, social media, executive visibility and proactive issues management. Sample projects included:• Led a new communication program for a major energy company that included corporate positioning and brand development for target media, influencers and consumers. The program utilized digital and traditional elements, including a content factory with a consumer facing web portal. • Led a Global PR program for a major supply chain consulting organization. This program included development of new corporate messaging, media outreach, executive positioning, implementation of a Speakers Bureau, as well as content and design creation for digital and social media.• Oversaw media and influencer outreach program for Ford Motor Company during its labor negotiations with the United Auto Workers Union.• Served as lead crisis and issues management advisor for a prominent U.S. food company. This included monitoring and counseling on major reputational issues and executing programs such as food recalls and new product line launches.• Led U.S. region internal and external communications for a significant corporate restructuring initiative at a Fortune 200 corporation.Midwest lead for the Burson-Marsteller Issues and Crisis Practice:• Provided clients with crisis communications counsel, as well as development and implementation of crisis communications plans and simulations.• Worked with clients on strategic issues management, to help them protect their reputations in the face of tough issues and intense media scrutiny.
  • Sc Johnson
    Director Global Reputation Management
    Sc Johnson Feb 2008 - May 2012
    Responsible for protecting and enhancing the reputation of SC Johnson and its brands.• Global lead on crisis communications for consumer products company with $8 billion in annual revenues across 150+ markets. This included crisis communication strategy development and execution, in any country where SC Johnson does business. Crisis issues included product recalls, negative media, human health issues, manufacturing plant incidents, etc. • Global lead for external and internal communications for long term policy and reputational issues that may impact SC Johnson and its brands. Sample issues included product efficacy, environmental practices, animal testing and issues related to advertising.• Led the team responsible for the development and implementation of SC Johnson’s industry leading ingredient communication program, that enhanced the company’s reputation amongst key stakeholders.• Global lead for developing relationships and partnerships with key NGOs in the environmental and human health arenas. Sample NGOs include NRDC, Conservation International, Environmental Defense Fund, Canadian Cancer Society, PETA and BEUC (top EU Consumer Rights NGO). • Led the Strategic Issues Management process for SC Johnson. This included identifying key public affairs issues that may impact the company, prioritization of issues based on potential financial and reputational impact, and development of proactive and reactive strategies to address them.
  • Kraft Foods
    Associate Director Global Issues Management
    Kraft Foods Jun 2005 - Feb 2008
    Responsible for analyzing, developing and communicating select global public policy positions for Kraft. • Develop the company’s public policy positions for select priority issues that impact Kraft on a global basis. Issues include; environmental sustainability issues, biofuels, biotechnology, global ingredient sourcing, nanotechnology and RFID. Facilitate the development of policy positions utilizing government affairs specialists, legal counsel, scientists and business experts in order to produce policy positions that are corporately, economically, legally and politically responsible. • Responsible for determining the potential impact to Kraft of select global issues, including reputational and economic impact. • Responsible for maintaining relationships with select Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s), and for the identification of potential partnership opportunities. Sample NGO’s include World Wildlife Fund and Conservation International. • Responsible for determining Kraft’s position and engagement strategy on legislation and regulation around the globe, for select priority issues. • Develop external and internal communications plans for priority issues, (e.g. media plan for key sustainability initiatives). • Responsible for emerging issues identification.
  • Altria
    External Web Based Communications
    Altria Apr 2001 - Jun 2005
    Responsible for web based external communications for Altria

Christopher Beard Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Christopher Beard

What company does Christopher Beard work for?

Christopher Beard works for The Crisis Shop

What is Christopher Beard's role at the current company?

Christopher Beard's current role is Managing Director - The Crisis Shop.

What schools did Christopher Beard attend?

Christopher Beard attended Depaul University.

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