According to a report in the Financial Times, during times of economic downturn many companies stumble by failing to act or by taking the wrong kind of action when communicating with distressed stakeholders. Many executives take a "bunker" mentality and simply try to stay out of the line of fire. In fact, these are the times when a company should be employing effective communication and soothing the market by explaining its position, tactics and strategies. 

New patterns in news consumption and a deteriorating economy deepened the emerging cracks in the economic foundation of the media in 2008, according to the latest Annual Report on American Journalism from the Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism. While most news media continued to see audience declines - despite the big news year - the Internet and cable television experienced gains.

Americans consider television and daily newspapers the most credible sources of news and information, according to a national study of 1,005 adults conducted last fall by Opinion Research Corporation's Caravan Services. 

Exceptional client service is something that small agencies are often known for. With today's economy pushing more companies to tighten their budgets, small firms are finding that quality client service is keeping business strong. An agency that is considered more of a partner than a vendor becomes a client's asset.