This paper presents ACR, a novel hybrid application-centric connectivity restoration algorithm that factors in application level interests besides efficient resource utilization while recovering from critical node failures. As a pre-failure planning measure to minimize recovery delay, ACR identifies primary actors that are critical for network connectivity based on localized information and designates them for backup nodes. The backup nodes are carefully picked to satisfy application level concerns such as high actor effectiveness. In order to minimize the impact of critical node failure on coverage and connectivity, ACR appoint high degree nodes with overlapped coverage. Upon failure detection, the pre-designated backup pursues controlled and coordinated movement to replace the failed node. Simulation results validate the performance of ACR. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.