We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Navigate Response (“Navigate”), a leading crisis communications and reputation management firm for the global maritime industry, supporting the owners and managers of over 4,000 vessels. Navigate is comprised of four firms based in the UK and Singapore: Navigate PR Ltd, Navigate Response Ltd, Navigate Response Asia Pte Ltdand Helix Media Pte Ltd.
To date we have focused on providing our clients with US media support. Now we are able to expand this offer by providing strategic advice and response globally backed with training and realistic crisis communications drills.
Navigate partners with an integrated network of crisis communications specialists and strategic communications counselors in 43 locations – enabling communication and media support virtually anywhere in the world, at any time.
Adding Navigate allows us to continue our leadership and innovation for the maritime industry by combining robust crisis communications and emergency response services to support shipowners and managers trading in both the US and worldwide.
What does this acquisition mean for our clients?
There will be no disruption to the services you’re already receiving. In fact, you’ll receive more attention and more robust and efficient solutions to support your crisis preparedness, response and recovery needs through the combination of the Navigate and Witt O’Brien’s teams.
Better prepared and regulation compliant
We help you meet complex U.S. compliance requirements, including plans, training, exercises and response. We strengthen your ability to manage emergencies and maintain your company’s reputation in the face of intense media scrutiny.
Faster, more effective US response
We offer the fastest possible deployment, better integrated response with emergency management and media relations capabilities working in tandem and a single consultancy.
We maintain a team of experienced Qualified Individuals (QIs) and public information officers (PIOs) that will work together and with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) on your behalf. Our network of QIs and PIOs provide unmatched local market logistical support and media expertise.
We also apply state-of-the-art technology and practices to all aspects of our services from planning to training to response.
Quality, reliability, and reputation management
These are the hallmarks of the world’s most successful ship owners and management entities. We help you achieve these goals by making you and your business more resilient, quicker to recover and more effective at managing your corporate reputation
You’ll get a single company with combined capabilities, providing better value that’s easier for you to manage
Many companies have developed strong operational emergency management capabilities, but they lose control of public perceptions and risk their reputations because they lack experienced crisis communications skills. And when crisis hits, operations and communications remain siloed and work against each other instead of focusing on a common goal. We have created a solution to that challenge.
Combined crisis communication and emergency management resources under one roof offers you greater value and a more comprehensive approach to your emergency management program. With one point of contact across the critical functions of your emergency response and crisis communications, you’ll be able to more effectively address your greatest operational risks and keep your reputation intact.
Now, one firm is all you need. One call initiates all the response resources you must have to support all aspects of a crisis when you and your team need help the most.
What does this acquisition mean for us?
The Navigate team is now part of the Witt O’Brien’s family. They will operate as Navigate Response, a Witt O’Brien’s Company, utilizing the new endorsed logo shown here.
Their global network and teams in London and Singapore remain unchanged and will continue to be led by existing leadership post-acquisition: Mike Elsom, Bill Lines and Dustin Eno in London; and Ed Ion in Singapore. They will report to Sean Fitzgerald, Managing Director of our crisis communications practice.
Our story continues…
We set out to solve crisis and emergency management challenges faced by our maritime and corporate clients over 35 years ago. Making our clients more prepared to handle a crisis when it occurs and making them more resilient is at the core of what we do. Joining forces with a company as passionate about building resiliency for clients is what takes us into this next chapter of our storybook with the Navigate team.
While our initial focus will remain in the maritime industry, we see huge potential to expand our firms’ combined offerings in both the private and public sectors.
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for entrusting us to be your crisis communications and emergency response partner. We’re delighted to welcome the Navigate team to our family of businesses.
We look forward to this next chapter and our commitment is stronger than ever to make you ReadyResilient!
To read the acquisition press release, click HERE.
To contact us with questions or to learn more about this merger and our full suite of crisis and emergency management solutions, reach us at contact@wittobriens.com.
With You When It Counts.