

21: A Crisis Case Study: Elizabeth Holmes in a bloody mess
When you’re in the public eye, be ready for scrutiny. Even if you’re not in the public eye, your audience is looking for transparency both online and offline. Try to hide and you’re going to get some backlash--especially in the face of a crisis.
This week on the Confident Communications podcast, we’re ripping from the headlines two fallouts from two executives’ mistakes. One flat-out lied and bamboozled the public and investors out of millions (a billion!). The other thought that denial and hiding from bad press was the way to go.
In both instances, they were wrong. Too many business owners, leaders, entrepreneurs and C-suite executives today deny the power of social media and the digital space. They think that not answering questions might make those questions go away.
The truth is, social media is powerful and it can be both a weapon and a tool--depending on how you use it. How are you using social media? Find out what these executives did wrong.
Mentioned in This Episode
- Episode 16, How to Spot a Liar
- HBO documentary on Elizabeth Holmes
- 'Nightline' documentary, podcast: 'The Dropout,' the story - ABC News
- Boeing letter to airlines, passengers and the aviation community
About Molly
Molly McPherson, M.S., APR, combines her knowledge of current co
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: