The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson Why Gwyneth’s Viral Ad Won’t Save Astronomer
After NPR called me to weigh in on the Coldplay concert scandal and Astronomer’s new viral ad starring Gwyneth Paltrow, a listener to the time to email to call me a “fussbucket.”
You know what? I’ll take it.
Because here’s the thing: clever marketing isn’t a substitute for accountability. In this epsiode ofThe PR Breakdown, I explain why Astronomer’s ad (produced by Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and fronted by Gwyneth Paltrow) is a classic case of PR deflection wrapped in celebrity glitter.
This episode unpacks:
- Why the real problem was never the kiss—it was the CEO-HR power dynamic
- The danger of turning ethical breaches into punchlines
- How Maximum Effort’s fastvertising campaign misread the assignment
- What leadership accountability actually sounds like (hint: not “we’ve become a household name”)
Want to learn what separates a temporary distraction from a lasting reputation hit? This episode is for you.
Mentioned in the episode:
- "5 PR Lessons from the Coldplay Concert That Took Down a CEO" - Molly McPherson, Substack (July, 23, 2025)
- "The Coldplay Concert Scandal That Took Down a CEO" - PR Breakdown podcast (July 23, 2025)
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