LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS & FIRST 100 DAYS
A clear start for the work ahead.
Communications planning and executive counsel for incoming public leaders, transition teams and organizations navigating a change in leadership.
GOVERNMENT • PUBLIC LEADERS • ORGANIZATIONS SERVING THE PUBLIC
Leadership changes. The need for clear communication begins immediately.
Employees want direction. Residents and stakeholders want to understand what will change. Reporters have questions. Incoming leaders need to establish priorities while preparing to inherit ongoing operations, unresolved issues and public expectations.
Based in Atlanta, Blacksmith Strategies helps transition teams across Georgia organize that work into a practical communications plan, with clear responsibilities, consistent messages and coordinated delivery.
Where we can help
Before day one
Assess communications needs, map stakeholders, develop leadership messages and prepare an announcement sequence. Identify sensitive issues and establish a process for handling questions as the transition unfolds.
At the start of an administration or appointment
Prepare introductory remarks, speeches, talking points, media materials and employee communications. Coordinate public information across websites, social media, publications and events.
Through the first 100 days
Build a communications calendar around leadership priorities, public engagement and consequential decisions. Support executive messaging, prepare for emerging issues and establish a consistent approach to updates.
Choose the support your team needs
Transition Communications Sprint
A focused engagement to assess immediate needs and develop a message framework, stakeholder map, announcement sequence and initial communications calendar.
First 100 Days Communications Plan
A coordinated plan connecting executive priorities with speeches, media engagement, employee communications, digital content and public information.
Ongoing Executive Counsel
Strategic advice and communications support as priorities evolve, sensitive decisions arise and the leadership team establishes its working rhythm.
Interim Press Secretary Support
Experienced spokesperson and media relations leadership for a defined period, managing press inquiries, briefings and breaking news while a new administration builds its permanent press operation.
FREE TRANSITION PLANNER
Make the communications decisions that shape your first 100 days.
Before Day One: A Transition Communications Planner for Incoming Leaders
Work through five decisions with your transition team, map who hears from you first, prepare for the issues you are inheriting and build a first 100 days communications calendar.
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Strategy connected to delivery
We bring executive counsel and integrated communications together. Depending on the engagement, support can include speechwriting, video scripts, media materials, website and microsite content, social media planning, publications, event communications and day-to-day press operations.
We can support an existing communications team or provide defined additional capacity during a demanding period.
Built for leadership changes throughout the year
Our transition communications support is designed for newly elected officials, appointed leaders, interim executives and organizations managing leadership changes across Georgia. Each engagement is tailored to the responsibilities, audiences and circumstances involved.
Transition communications: common questions
What is transition communications?
Transition communications is the planning and coordination of how a new leader communicates with employees, residents, partners and the media, from the first announcement through the early months in office.
When should an incoming administration start planning its communications?
As soon as the election or appointment is confirmed. The weeks before day one are the best time to decide who speaks, agree on core messages, plan the announcement sequence and prepare for the issues the new leader will inherit.
What does a Transition Communications Sprint include?
A focused engagement to assess immediate needs and develop a message framework, stakeholder map, announcement sequence and initial communications calendar.
Can you serve as an interim press secretary?
Yes. For a defined period, we can manage press inquiries, media briefings and breaking-news response, prepare the leader for interviews and help set up a permanent press operation.
Can you work alongside our existing communications team?
Yes. We can support an existing communications team or provide defined additional capacity during a demanding period.
Who is transition communications support designed for?
Newly elected officials, appointed leaders, agency heads, interim executives and organizations managing leadership changes across Georgia, including state, county and municipal leadership.
Start with the decisions ahead.
Tell us where your team is in the transition, what needs to be communicated and where additional support would help.