Key Takeaways
- Opportunity for Education: Given public distrust toward UAVs, drone companies have a unique chance to educate the public about the benefits and opportunities presented by drone technology. Effective communication can help shift public perception.
- Holistic Reputation Management: A comprehensive reputation management strategy is essential for shaping public opinion in the evolving media landscape. Companies need to proactively manage their image and address concerns to build trust.
- Case Studies of Resilience: The article highlights how drone companies like Skydio, Zipline, and Lucid Technologies effectively utilized PR strategies during challenging times, such as the pandemic and periods of public distrust, allowing them to maintain momentum and position themselves for future growth.
As an emerging industry, commercial drones face a host of unknown business dynamics, from changing FAA regulations, to supply chain and finally: public acceptance.
Recent research shows Americans are mostly distrustful of UAVs and their applications.
Yet, these circumstances supply a window of opportunity to U.S. drone companies to educate the public on the opportunities and societal benefits of drone use. However, shaping public opinion requires a holistic reputation management strategy in today’s media environment.
Our white paper includes case studies from during the pandemic, including Skydio, Zipline, and Lucid Technologies shows how three leading drone companies, each in different stages of growth, are using public relations and communications to position themselves for future growth.
It’s relevant to note that just prior to the pandemic, there had been a flurry of unexplained drone incidents in the midwest that created distrust in drones throughout the country. Those drone companies who already had active PR plans, like the UAV companies profiled here, stuck to their goals and rode out the entire phase without skipping a beat.
