Episode 173: A Scandal at Vice (with Mitchell Jackson)
Jul 17, 2023
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Former Vice writer Mitchell Jackson shares his side of the story on being fired after leaked emails to Milo Yiannopoulos. Also discusses upbringing in a Florida puppy dynasty, rehabbing influencer Caroline Calloway, and navigating cancellation.
Scandal management requires evaluating the situation, playing the right PR strategy, monitoring social feedback, and prioritizing mental health.
Rebuilding a damaged reputation involves strategic PR efforts, coordinated book releases, and emphasizing one's talent and unique voice.
Effective reputation management in the face of scandals requires adapting to the changing media landscape, understanding evolving dynamics, threading the needle between diverse audiences, and preserving mental well-being.
Deep dives
Lessons from a Scandal: Navigating Reputation Management
When faced with a scandal or cancellation attempt, it is important to remember that every situation is different. It is a game of poker where you have to play the cards you're dealt. Avoid overreacting and constantly obsessing over the scandal. Monitor social feedback to understand the true extent of the problem. Apologies may not always be the best course of action, as they can be used against you. It is crucial to evaluate the situation and play the right PR strategy. Relationships and media perception also play a significant role in reputation management. Investing in relationships and understanding how reporters view situations can be advantageous. Lastly, consider the emotions involved and prioritize mental health throughout the process.
Caroline Callaway's Journey: From Scandal to Darling
Caroline Callaway, known for her controversial rise to fame on Instagram, faced a scandal when her former ghostwriter publicly claimed credit for her work. This not only damaged her reputation, but also affected her book deal and personal life. However, she managed to rebuild her image and regain a positive spotlight. Through strategic PR efforts, coordinated book releases, and emphasizing her talent as a writer, Caroline has successfully repositioned herself in the public eye. Her self-published book, 'Scammer,' has garnered glowing reviews, highlighting her unique voice and captivating storytelling ability.
Navigating the Unpredictable Media Landscape
With the changing media landscape, it is essential to adapt and understand the evolving dynamics. Misreads of cultural shifts and overreactions can be detrimental. Insensitive comments, controversial content, and legal issues can rapidly escalate, leading to irreversible damage. While scandals and cancellations have become common occurrences, each situation requires individualized strategies. Threading the needle between diverse audiences, appealing to both mainstream and niche markets, can be challenging but rewarding. Effective reputation management involves calculated moves, focusing on the right media narratives, and preserving mental well-being throughout the process.
The Fallout from a Vice Scandal
The podcast episode explores the aftermath of a scandal involving Vice Media. The host interviews Mitchell Sunderland, an editor formerly employed with Broadly, Vice's women's channel. Sunderland discusses his experiences and involvement in controversial incidents, including feeding content to Milo Yiannopoulos and the repercussions he faced. He also reflects on the toxic culture at Vice and how he was advised to handle the situation.
Managing Scandals and Public Relations
The episode delves into the strategies individuals and companies can employ when faced with scandals and negative public attention. It provides advice on how to navigate cancel culture and maintain control over the narrative. Examples are given, including Ariel Pink, Elon Musk, and a hypothetical scenario involving an article about detransitioners, highlighting different approaches and potential outcomes.
This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse is off “slaying the spire” (gross) so Katie interviews the publicist Mitchell Jackson, formerly known as the writer Mitchell Sunderland. Mitchell was famously fired from Vice in 2017 after his emails to then-Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos were leaked to BuzzFeed, and for the first time ever, Mitchell tells his side of this story. Plus, Mitchell’s unique upbringing in a Florida puppy dynsaty, how he helped rehab the infamous influencer Caroline Calloway, and what to do—and what not to do—when facing cancelation.
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