Case Study: Brown Shoe Company achieves successful community relations and reduced jury damages with Sigler Communications

Brown Shoe Company manages 700-home contamination crisis with Sigler Communications over 18 years

Brown Shoe Company faced a crisis when ongoing environmental monitoring at a former facility revealed groundwater contamination affecting approximately 700 neighboring homes, which led to a class-action lawsuit. The company retained Sigler Communications to develop a proactive communications strategy and community relations program to manage the issue.

Sigler Communications implemented an 18-year program serving as the daily interface for the community, which included conducting interviews, maintaining a hotline and website, and holding public meetings. This solution played a major role in the jury awarding approximately $1 million in non-economic damages versus the $450 million requested by plaintiffs. The proactive communications also prevented the neighborhood from being stigmatized, with homes continuing to sell at or above asking prices.

Brown Shoe Company