Houston, Texas — More than 150 communications professionals from the Marcellus & Utica Shale gas industry, including public relations, media, stakeholder and community relations, corporate, and public affairs specialists, are gathering today and tomorrow at the Media & Stakeholder Relations Hydraulic Fracturing Initiative in Houston, Texas.

A delegation of attorneys from the law firm Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC are participating in the initiative, joining industry leaders and communications professionals to provide valuable perspectives and insights on message management.

“The opportunities presented at the conference truly represent a new communication dynamic - a new set of tactics and points of engagement,” said Michael J. Basile, Spilman’s managing member. “It is the first step toward reshaping a new communications paradigm.”

Spilman attorneys are addressing the conference on Monday presenting a case study on crisis communications, demonstrating how legal counsel works arm-in-arm with communication professionals to develop messages and strategy.

On Tuesday, Spilman attorneys will address the conference presenting a summary of the proactive approach utilized by Spilman and its client in a recent legal matter related to hydraulic fracturing.

This important, two-day conference, sponsored in part by Spilman, addresses media relations strategies, social media within the industry, community and stakeholder relations, and promoting employee advocacy, plus effective crisis communications and minimizing negative press.

For more information about the conference, please visit http://www.media-stakeholder-relations-hydraulic-fracturing.com/.