A Rhetorical Analysis of Silicon Valley Bank’s Crisis: A Communication-based Framework for Crisis Management and Mitigation

This case study examines the 2023 Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) crisis through situational crisis communication theory (SCCT) and the image restoration framework (IRF), with a focus on their implications for internal public relations practice. The analysis combines public and employee-oriented crisis communication strategies to provide insights into organizational resilience and employee engagement in disruptive situations. By reviewing media coverage, organizational responses, industry reports, and regulatory documents, the study identified key lessons, such as the importance of transparent and timely communication in mitigating corporate image (i.e., facework) damage during crises. The findings enhance existing literature by illustrating how SCCT and IRF converge to create a robust framework for addressing internal and external stakeholders’ concerns during organizational crises. This article emphasizes the need to integrate theoretical models with practical strategies in organizational crisis communication, which shows how public relations efforts can protect a company’s image (facework), while maintaining stakeholders’ trust during crises.