CHICAGO: TrizecHahn, the company managing the Sears Tower, has
instituted a new e-mail communications link with tenants so it can
quickly deal with rumors about building attacks and security.
TrizecHahn is also using Burson-Marsteller to field the flood of media
calls it has been getting since September 11. Burson had been working
with the 1,450-foot-tall Sears Tower, the tallest building in the US, on
marketing PR for about six months prior to the attacks.
"The media situation was critical at first, but it was also necessary to
set up different tenant communications that weren't necessary before,"
said Rick Matthews, SVP of PR and corporate communications with
TrizecHahn.
Matthews began his job a week after September 11, coming from Rubenstein
Associates.
Each tenant in the Sears Tower now has a person or persons designated to
receive e-mails from the building. "The expectations for communications
now are immediate," said Mark Spencer, a manager at Burson's Chicago
office handling the account. The e-mail system already has been used to
dispel rumors about possible bombs or attacks on the building. The
building also has a direct phone line to Chicago's 911 police emergency
center, which in turn has a direct line to the FAA.
TrizecHahn staffers have been meeting with tenants to explain the new
security measures in place. A tenant meeting is planned for later this
month to discuss long-term security plans and to get tenant input.
The Sears Skydeck, an observation area closed since September 11, will
reopen later this month with a publicity event, Matthews said.
