Brand Crisis: from Fiction to Fact: PR Experts Warn Against Judging Too Fast

Welcome to the Adotat Show, your front-row ticket to the wild ride that is marketing, PR, and ad tech. Forget about buckling up; we're diving headfirst into this glorious mess, ready to unravel the chaos with a grin and a raised eyebrow. We're not here to skim the surface—we’re here to dig deep, unearthing juicy insights and sharing the unvarnished truths from the sharpest minds and boldest personalities in the biz.

Prepare for a whirlwind of revelations that'll leave your head spinning and your sides aching from laughter. We're serving up a masterclass in PR alchemy, turning PR nightmares into fairy tales that make Cinderella look like she's still scrubbing floors. So, grab your popcorn, folks; this is where the magic happens!

Meet the Mavericks:

Lana McGilvray: - One of the Queen Bees at Purpose Worldwide. With 23 years of CMO, PR and Crisis Comms experience under her bonnet, she's concerned about how today's crisis new cycles unnecessarily victimize many of the stakeholders.

William "Bill" Daddi: The smooth operator at DBC Brand Communication, Bill's got a magic touch in crisis management that makes Houdini look like an amateur. When brands are drowning in scandal, Bill’s the lifeguard who shows up with a piña colada in hand, not breaking a sweat.

Julia Linehan: The dynamic CEO of The Digital Voice, Julia's a headline-crafting wizard straight from across the pond. She doesn’t just write headlines; she conjures them like spells, turning bland press releases into front-page sensations. With a knack for making the mundane sound thrilling, Julia's got the media eating out of her hand. She’s the queen of spin, making every story sound like it’s the next big thing, even if it’s just about a new flavor of potato chips.

David Kaplan: The content guru at Brand Newsroom, David turns bland brand stories into blockbuster hits. He’s the Spielberg of content, taking snooze-worthy corporate drivel and turning it into edge-of-your-seat thrillers. When David gets his hands on a story, it goes from “who cares?” to “must read!” faster than you can say “viral.” He's the alchemist of brand storytelling, transforming dull into dazzling with a flick of his pen (or keyboard)

Spotlight Discussion: Colossus SSP's PR Fiasco:

An analytics report accused Colossus SSP of misdeclaring user IDs in their program bid request. Our panel debates how Colossus could have handled this bombshell better, turning a PR dumpster fire into a marshmallow roast.

Crisis Management Insights:

When it comes to handling crises, like the one Colossus is currently dealing with, Lana McGilvray offers a comprehensive 360-degree perspective on the anatomy of today’s PR disasters. She breaks down how these crises often start small but can quickly spiral out of control, exacerbated by non-expert social media chatter around the water cooler. This type of informal, uninformed discussion can muddy the waters and complicate crisis management efforts. Lana emphasizes the importance of proactive measures for both public and private companies to safeguard their brands, teams, and customers. This involves having robust crisis management plans in place, engaging in continuous monitoring, and being prepared to act swiftly to mitigate damage.

David Kaplan underscores the necessity of transparency and the importance of having clear processes in place to address any discrepancies that may arise. He believes that being open and honest with stakeholders is crucial for maintaining trust and credibility.

Bill Daddi delves into the complexity of ad tech issues, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation and effective trust management. He highlights that understanding the intricacies of ad tech is vital for addressing potential problems before they escalate.

Julia Linehan advocates for honesty and stresses the importance of internal housekeeping before a crisis hits. She believes that brands should regularly review their practices and ensure they are aligned with their public statements to prevent crises from escalating

Hot Topics:

The fallout of ad campaigns like Bud Light and Target's Pride Month displays.

The need for brands to stay true to their values even when the going gets tough.

Ad Tech Made Sexy:

Julia Linehan shares tips on making ad tech presentations engaging and avoiding technical jargon.

Bill Daddi and David Kaplan discuss the importance of narrative and relevance in ad tech communications.

Strategies for identifying when to pull back on a campaign and how to use failure as a path to success.

Building Genuine Connections:

Techniques for fostering two-way conversations and engaging meaningfully with your audience.

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