Date Approved
6-16-2004
Embargo Period
5-1-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A. in Public Relations
Department
Public Relations & Advertising
College
Ric Edelman College of Communication & Creative Arts
Advisor
Fulginiti, Anthony
Subject(s)
Amusement parks; Crisis management
Disciplines
Public Relations and Advertising
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate whether effective amusement park crisis management can shorten the crisis news life cycle. Twenty-two in-depth interviews with seasoned media, amusement park public relations practitioners, and park PR practitioners who formerly worked in media were conducted and analyzed through content analysis. Coverage of an amusement ride incident was analyzed through content analysis to support interview findings. Numerous strategies are identified to build a foundation for effective crisis management, and to shorten the duration of crisis news coverage. Differences in managing print media versus television media are discussed. The thesis identifies amusement park incident criteria that either indicate one-day crisis coverage, or high volume and frequency of coverage and the likelihood of continuing crisis coverage. The identified strategies and crisis criteria can help amusement park public relations practitioners manage crises and shorten the news life cycle.
Recommended Citation
Siebeneicher, Kristin B., "Amusement park crisis management and its effect on the crisis news life cycle" (2004). Theses and Dissertations. 1238.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/1238
