The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson 60: The 12 Days of Crisis: My Top #PRFails in 2019
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A PR crisis, or one or two or three.
In this (almost) end-of-the-year episode, I wrap-up the PR season by covering the best (or worst?) PR crises of 2019. It's my holiday gift to myself and to anyone else who has a passion for practicing public relations.
My definition of a PR crisis? A public reaction from an event that causes a brand or a person’s reputation to upside-down. The viral-age twist? It can happen overnight.
Listen to my #PRFail stand-outs from 2019.
- [8:15] Number 12: This person got an a** kicking for shaming a would-be employee on social media.
- [10:01] Number 11: Piggybacking off of the #MeToo movement made for a messy ad campaign.
- [11:00] Number 10: Concating a fake attack turns into a viral attack against this actor.
- [12:30] Number 9: Hoping on a wing and a prayer that this PR response works.
- [14:58] Number 8: Becky with the bad decision.
- [17:26] Numbers 6 & 7: Houston, we have a problem.
- [23:28] Number 5: Boy's club got this guy in trouble.
- [25:09] Number 4: A billion-dollar "OK, Boomer" Blunder.
- [28:18] Number 3: Rise and shine, your career is over.
- [33:01] Number 2: I didn't realize how much this problematic ad would cost this brand.
- [35:10] Number 1: A royally lousy interview.
About Molly
Public Relations expert Molly McPherson, APR, reveals the best practices help leaders become indestructible in today's digital age and crisis-proof their organizations. A mix of discussing current news events along with interviews with newsmakers, communications professionals and business owners while providing insight from 20+ years of public relations and crisis communications expertise working for FEMA and heading communications for the cruise line industry to help take the fear out of communicating in the age of scrutiny. This podcast helps leaders communicate confidently--in writing, speaking, body language, social media -- to be heard, seen and relevant.
The media tool I use to track stories, monitor coverage, and help clients get their message in the right hands. Click here to learn more.
Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.
Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media
Click here to subscribe to Molly's live events.
Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting.
This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself.
Follow & Connect with Molly: