That’s why corporations, trade associations, law firms, nonprofits and educational institutions call on Doyne Strategies.
Karen Doyne founded Doyne Strategies on the recognition that corporate reputations are more vulnerable than ever — and the right communications strategy can make the difference between a blip and a body blow. Especially in today’s hyper-connected, crisis-prone environment, companies and other organizations dealing with serious issues, crises or litigation need communications counsel with deep experience and insight. And often, they don’t need or want the resources of a large public relations firm.
Some clients engage Karen for solo consulting services, often in partnership with their existing inside or outside PR and/or legal teams. Others take advantage of our scalable resources to create a tailor-made team that fits the job at hand. We can add staff as needed at the junior or senior levels, or identify experts in specialized areas such as opinion research or grassroots communications, by calling on our network of trusted individuals and agencies who represent the best talent in the business.
Most important, our mission begins and ends with client service. Our clients can be confident they will have the personal attention, commitment and dedication to quality they need to navigate any challenge.
Services
Strategic counsel
Message Development
Writing and Editing
Communications Research and Planning
Media Management (Traditional and Social)
Stakeholder Outreach
Trial Planning and Staffing
Crisis Training
Crisis Planning & Readiness Programs
Speeches, Presentations and Panel Appearances
PR News
Crisis Manager of the Year
“Karen Doyne brings to every client the benefits of her decades of issues and crisis experience, her intelligence, analytical skills, sound judgment, creativity, focus, boundless energy and ability to earn trust in the most challenging situations.”
About Karen
An acknowledged industry leader in crisis communications, litigation communications and reputation management, Karen Doyne honed her skills at three of the world’s largest public relations agencies, on Capitol Hill and in the media.
During a career spanning more than 30 years, Karen’s clients across the US and the world have included Texas Health Resources during its Ebola crisis; two major energy companies after fatal gas explosions; Virginia Tech in the wake of its tragic mass shootings; the corporate respondent in a high-profile US Supreme Court appeal; a tech giant behind one of the largest electronics recalls in history; and major corporations managing their responses to coronavirus.
Before launching Doyne Strategies in 2019, Karen served for 16 years as head of the US Crisis Practice at Burson-Marsteller/BCW. Previously she had been a senior counselor in the Washington offices of global PR firms Ketchum (where she also established the firm’s Litigation Communications practice) and Fleishman-Hillard.
Karen also served as head of public affairs for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and press secretary to a U.S. Senator, after starting her career as a reporter and newscaster at a major-market, news-talk radio station.
A native of St. Louis, Mo., she is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Minnesota with a bachelor's degree in both journalism and theater.
Awards & Boards
PR News Crisis Manager of the Year 2016
Washington Women in Public Relations honoree
Team-lead recipient of Golden SABRE Award, PRWeek Award, PRSA Silver Anvil
Board of Trustees, Studio Theatre, Washington, DC
Advisory Board, National Press Foundation (past)
Advisory Board, American Chemistry Council (past)
Advisory Board Member and Workshop Faculty, Harvard Center for Risk Analysis (past)
Advisory Board, University of Michigan Risk Science Center (past)
Karen has been quoted in media such as:
What Clients Are Saying
Karen is the quintessential strategic communications crisis counselor and I can’t recommend her enough. Karen’s superhuman gift is her ability to bring calm and clarity to a moment of chaos, which as a colleague and later a client I deeply appreciated. She’s a pro at not just helping you weather the storm, but actually steering you to calmer waters.
- Jano Cabrera, Chief Communications Officer, General Mills
[Karen’s] counsel, guidance, and support helped pull us through [an] unimaginable time. She gave us strong, frank, and unflinching counsel. She provided us the tools to cope with unthinkable media presence…all the while working to preserve organizational reputation. She has the vision to see and articulate an end game.
- Lawrence Hincker, Emeritus Associate Vice President for University Relations, Virginia Tech
Karen is a shrewd, smart, and dedicated crisis communications consultant. Working collaboratively with the legal and in-house corporate PR teams, Karen consistently provided excellent advice and…implemented effectively. She's one of the best.
- Michael Levy, Partner, Mayer Brown