Len Biegel

Len Biegel is the founder of The Biegel Group, a Washington D.C. PR company that specialises in crisis management.

According to a biographical note Biegel "was formerly Executive Vice President of Weber Shandwick, heading its Global Crisis Management Practice (1999-2003)." He lists recent clients as including American Airlines, General Electric, The Business Roundtable, Hershey Foods and Tyco International.

"On 9/11, he was part of the Weber Shandwick leadership helping American Airlines manage the complex communications efforts demanded by this unprecedented event," his biographical note states.

"Among his client work, Royal Caribbean Cruises LTD represents some of the broadest scope of his work, from crisis planning to communications training to strategic counsel during actual crises. In 1999 he created the cruise line's GO Team concept and trained shore side and headquarters staff on the techniques for helping cruise guests during emergencies ... He has worked on highly sensitive issues with attorneys representing clients - with matters involving the New York State and California Attorneys General, and the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. During the DOJ investigation of Royal Caribbean Cruises LTD on charges of oil dumping, he was responsible for the communications program, working closely with counsel throughout," his biographical note states.

He played a key role in the communications strategies used to manage Tylenol product-tampering cases in the 1980s and other major crises in areas ranging from the environment to product safety.

His biographical profile states that he has also worked for Rowan & Blewitt and Burson-Marsteller". "He also has served as a consultant to the White House Conference on Small Business, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, AT&T, IBM and the Israel Broadcasting Authority," his biographical note states.

He began his career as manager of special events for CBS in New York. He also served as program director and executive producer for Metromedia Television (now Fox) in New York and Washington, D.C.

O'Dwyers PR Daily reports that Biegel once told the American Journalism Review of a client who when asked "What's your definition of a crisis?" responded stating  "When the phone rings and there's a reporter on the other end." 

Books

 * Post-9/11 Crisis Communications Toolkit, The Business Roundtable, 2002.
 * Len Biegel and Aileen Lubin, Mediability: A Guide for Nonprofits, Aspen, 1975.
 * Len Biegel, The Best Years Catalogue:A Source Book For Older Americans Solving Problems & Living Fully'', New York, G. P. Putnam, 1978.
 * Len Biegel, Physical Fitness and the Older Person, Aspen Publication, 1984.