The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

In a recent exclusive interview with The Cut, Meghan Markle opened up about her new life in California, the struggles of her past, and her plans for her future. This was partly done as part of a promotion effort for Meghan’s new podcast, Archetypes. This week, we examine and decode this article to analyze what she said and what she meant. Hear how Meghan and Harry’s PR has perpetually let them down, why their campaigns always feel like plan Bs, and discover examples of their many PR missteps. This episode explains why this article feels like another plan B in trying to reshape their reputation, and breaks down some framing attempts in it and the agenda behind them. Please note this episode carries a trigger warning for suicide and depression.  Key Points From This Episode:  • The Cut’s article about Meghan Markle and how it’s part of a promotion effort for her new podcast, Archetypes. • Today’s topic: The major takeaway from how this article has been framed. • Framing attempts in the article and the agenda behind them. • Harry's suspicious absence from this profile and why this might be. • The relatable aspects of Meghan and Harry’s lives versus the unrelatable aspects. • The message she sends to the royal family and the tricky nature of navigating hypocrisy in media relations. • TW: To avoid references to suicide, skip audio from 29:34 to 30:03. • The key takeaway from this article and the message Meghan is sending to the royal family. • The Indestructible PR tip for the day, relating to hypocrisy in media interviews.   Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:  ‘Meghan of Montecito She’s left the Firm behind. Harry’s found a polo team in Santa Barbara. The kids are doing great. Now she’s ready for her next act.’ — Archetypes Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis Molly McPherson on TwitterMolly McPherson on TikTokMolly McPherson on YouTube Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/ ...

 Ageism, sexism, bad management, and incredibly poor messaging, today’s PR crisis has it all! This week’s podcast focuses on Bell Media’s ousting of Lisa LaFlamme and her replacement by a younger male, shortly after the beloved CTV Anchor allowed herself to go gray. Let's discuss Lisa’s PR masterpiece of a response video and Bell Media’s well-written but completely inadequate response statement. While a private company has the right to hire and fire whomever they choose, decisions like these affect the public, and if not handled correctly, this could be detrimental to a company’s continued support and ultimately their bottom line. This podcast looks at the importance of truth and transparency in a PR response, and when a statement should be replaced by an apology. Tune in to hear the statement Bell Media put out, why it was a bad statement, why it created such a blowback, and how the statement should have been written to avert a PR crisis. Key Points From This Episode: Today’s topic: the PR nightmare associated with Bell Media’s firing of CTV anchor Lisa LaFlamme and why their statement was inadequate.Some previous examples of anchors being let go and the resulting PR crises.The implications of how Lisa LaFlamme was fired shortly after allowing herself to go gray. The problem of the lack of transparency on the part of Bell Media regarding why they fired Lisa.Lisa LaFlamme’s video response and why it’s a PR masterpiece. Why does a situation like this call for an apology, not a statement?Who was hurt by Bell Media’s decision.The biggest problem with Bell Media’s statement.The legal implications of making an apology or accepting responsibility.How an apology can help you regain trust, reduce liability, and be an effective business decision.How Bell Media’s apology should have been written.The Indestructible PR tip for the day relating to the importance of the first line in any response statement.Closing words on why you should never fire women of a certain age. Where in the World is Matt Lauer’s Reputation? 173: How Jeff Zucker's Resignation from CNN SignaWant More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/ ...

Movie actor Ezra Miller recently issued an apology for a series of legal issues and assault and abuse allegations, published as an exclusive in Variety Magazine. With the DC Comics film The Flash opening in theaters next summer, there's a lot riding on this apology. This week’s episode takes a look at Ezra Miller’s apology to evaluate whether the elements of the perfect public apology are present in it. It also includes speculation on how Warner Bros. may be trying to approach the situation and what choices they may be considering. Tune in to learn from Ezra Miller’s apology and gain a better understanding of how to write the perfect response when faced with a crisis. Key Points From This Episode: •    Today’s topic: Whether Ezra Miller’s apology is enough to save their reputation and the movie The Flash that they are associated with.  • The question of whether trust is at risk, and how to determine what to do if it is. • An analysis of Ezra Miller’s (or Warner Bros.’) statement and whether the five elements of the perfect response are present. • Why euphemisms shouldn’t be used in a statement like this.  • The vagueness of the term past behavior. • Thoughts on Ben Affleck and Robert Downey Jr. and how they came back from similar situations. • The Indestructible PR Tip Keywords/Tags:  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:  Ezra Miller‘The Flash’ Star Ezra Miller Seeking Treatment for ‘Complex Mental Health Issues’ (EXCLUSIVE) The Flash How to Write the Perfect Public Apology - Molly McPherson/TikTok  ‘Warner Bros. Weighing Fate of ‘The Flash’ as Its Ezra Miller Problem Grows’  Molly McPherson on Twitter Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/ ...

Ever wondered how to deliver a knock-out public speaking performance? Well, this episode of the Indestructible PR Podcast is all about 10 tips for overcoming fear and how, by doing this, you’ll be able to give a great speech. Molly uses her own public speaking experiences to give simple, meaningful, and applicable advice on how to feel confident and prepared. From the power of constant practicing, feeling confident with your speaking material, understanding the audience and keeping them engaged, through to how to manage gestures, breathing, and filler words on stage, this episode covers it all. Keeping your nerves in check, tailoring your messages to meet the needs of your audience, and having the perfect visual resources have never seemed easier. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Public Speaking Tip on TikTokMolly McPhersonMolly McPherson on TwitterMolly McPherson on TikTokMolly McPherson on YouTubeMolly McPherson on InstagramIndestructible PR on FacebookIndestructible: Reclaim Control and Respond with Confidence in a Media CrisisIndestructible: Reclaim Control and Respond with Confidence in a Media CrisisAudiobook Listen and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts © 2022 Indestructible PR Podcast Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/ ...

For all of social media’s ills, there’s an equal amount of things to love.When I think of Emily Rose, I think of a light, fun, intellectual, critically thinking millennial who has deservedly exploded on TikTok. Not only that, she also has a wildly popular podcast called It’s Become a Whole Thing, and a book deal with Simon and Schuster!As a social media influencer speaking on behalf of the hoi polloi, Emily is as much a crisis communicator as I am, and today she and I are diving into the world of Bennifer, Taylor Swift’s private jet story, what you need to know about Vanderpump Rules, and our differing opinions on Will Smith’s future. If pop culture is your “Superbowl,” trust me when I say you don’t want to miss this one!Key Points From This Episode:• What led Emily to the world of social media as a career path.• Emily shares the evolution of her journey as a social media influencer.• The (very exciting) book Emily will release next year. • How to use Patreon.• No Reddit?•  Bennifer’s public relationship; the focus of one of Emily’s first viral videos. • The Taylor Swift private jet story (and why Emily is currently not speaking to her).• Details coming out now about the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard case. • The Vanderpump Rules symposium Emily created.• What you need to know about Vanderpump Rules. • Our differing opinions on Will Smith’s future. • Indestructible PR tip.  Tweetables: “TikTok is a response to the glossy perfection that we’ve all gotten pretty disenchanted with.” — Emily Rose [0:07:55] “You don’t have to feel ashamed that you’re not always grateful and wanting to do sun salutations. You really can just let it all hang out and be your messy, petty self.” — Emily Rose [0:10:45] “Everything in pop culture right now is geared towards early 2000s nostalgia.” — Emily Rose [0:18:12] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Emily Rose on TikTokIt’s Become a Whole Thing PodcastEmily Rose on InstagramWant More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/ ...

Instagram has changed, and not everyone is happy about it. This week on the Indestructible PR Podcast, we look at the video created by Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri in response to this crisis, and analyze the value of using video responses to deal with PR crises. Tuning in, you’ll hear how Instagram has changed, why so many content creators have objected to this change, and how this has led to a crisis. We then break down Adam Mosseri’s video. We talk about the visual components and how they contribute to the message, before listening to the audio to hear how Adam includes each of the three steps of an effective PR response. To find out why making a video is such an effective way to create a PR response, and some of the things you should factor in as you do, listen in today!Key Points From This Episode:How Instagram has changed to be more like TikTok and many users are unhappy with this.Some influencers who have complained about the platform and the crisis that has resulted. The petition created by Tati Bruening to change Instagram back to how it was before.How Adam Mosseri’s video is a PR response to a strategic choice. The three steps of an effective PR response, and how Adam Mosseri includes each of them.What you need to consider when you make a promise. The audio of Adam Mosseri’s video. Why making a video is such a good way to create a PR response and some things you should pay attention to as you do.The indestructible PR tip for today: the quickest way to regain trust when you’ve lost it is by using video. Tweetables:“You’ve heard me talk about the effective PR response; step one: owing it, step two: explaining it, step three is promising it. Mosseri does this in his post.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:10:55]“If you need to come up with a response for an issue, and it’s an issue that’s one of these sticky issues because it still sticks to you, you can’t let it go, it’s not an easy fix; do something like this. Give it a try. Produce a video.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:15:10]“The quickest way to regain trust when you’ve lost it, in my opinion, is by using video.” — Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/ ...

Examining the recent incident at Sesame Place in Philadelphia. In a video that went viral, a performer dressed as the beloved Sesame Street character Rosita appears to snub two Black children after high-fiving other visitors to the park.In this episode, we discuss what happened, how the park responded, why the initial response didn't work, and why they needed a second response to clean it up. We break down Sesame Place’s first official response and explain exactly what was wrong with it and what was missing from it, before learning about the Indestructible PR framework for writing an ideal response. Key Points From This Episode:• What happens in the video and why it went viral.• Speculation as to who wrote this statement and what it tells us about their thinking.• What was wrong with the statement, starting with strike one: they only responded onInstagram.• Why you should always consider what reasonable people will think.• How the element of care was missing from this response.• Why it’s so important to show care to the victims in the first 45 minutes.• Why owning it is always step number one.• Why you want to use the word “apologize” in a formal statement.• The Indestructible PR tip for the day: If you have a victim that is activist-minded, neverdismiss them.• How you can find more tips in Molly’s new book Indestructible: Reclaim Control and Respond with Confidence in a Media Crisis. Tweetables: “The first statement that was written was not a great statement. I don’t want to be the grammar police on this one but if there’s ever a time to get your writing right, this is the time.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:08:27] “If you don’t show, in the first 45 minutes, some commitment to care — that you care about the victim, what happened to them, and other people like them — you’re going to lose the crisis. And then in six hours, you’ve lost control of the crisis, you’ve lost the narrative of your own crisis, and people are going to take it from you.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:22:24] “You have to show an awareness to the event or to the issue and Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/ ...

Today, on the Indestructible PR podcast, we respond to a listener question about crisis leadership among incumbents and successors. A listener wants to know if there are any key distinctions in the guidance for crisis communication by leaders who swept in after an incident (where no individuals associated with the crisis are still involved) versus crisis communication that comes from the leadership responsible at the time of the crisis. Tuning in, you’ll hear a bit more information about how this question came about, why the specific details of the incident in question are not important, and why it makes for such a challenging situation. To find out what happens when the mess of prior leadership is left to be handled by the successor and how to salvage the trust of key stakeholders, tune in today!  Key Points From This Episode:  The listener email that inspired today’s topic. Research that Molly did into the incident that the listener is referring to.The clear demarcation between leadership in this situation and how this was the mess of prior leadership.Why what you do with a crisis from incumbent leadership essentially doesn’t matter. The importance of leadership showing care in a crisis in order to maintain trust.Why trust is the single biggest predictor of how a crisis will resolve.How you can leverage the new leader for their new ideas.Why you should factor in the reasonable expectations of the stakeholders that matter to you.Our Indestructible PR tip for the day.  Tweetables: “If you do not show care from leadership, you’re going to lose something valuable, something [that is] indispensable in a crisis, and that is trust .” — @MollyMcPherson [0:04:45] “[Trust] will remain if you meet [the] expectation of your stakeholders, but the trust will plummet if stakeholders feel betrayed, if the press senses that you are shaking in your conviction and shaking in your values.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:04:58] “When it comes to crisis leadership among incumbents and successors, remember: do not pass the buck. Do not blame the predecessor. Use the change in regime to make changes Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/ ...

We are going back to the 90s to look at a presidential apology to help us learn a PR lesson for today.Learn the importance of apologizing for mistakes, why the right use of words is imperative, and why you need to action an apology rather than just hinting at one. We also dissect other public apologies to see who was successful in the their aapology and who botched it. Key Points From This Episode: Bill Clinton’s apology for the inappropriate relationship he had during his time of office.Why mistakes require an apology nowadays and why not doing so or not doing so. effectively can damage the reputation of companies.The importance of the right use of words in an apology.We look at an example of a successful apology and an unsuccessful one.The importance of actioning an apology rather than using words that merely imply one.We dissect Bill Clinton’s regrettable public ‘apologies.'Why your approach to an apology cannot be about you and what you feel.We go through some words that should be avoided in apologies.The dangers of the phrase “thoughts and prayers.” We leave you with today’s Indestructible PR tip. Tweetables: “Apologies aren’t easy.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:03:06] “[Good apologies] all comes down to words.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:03:14] “‘I deeply regret the fact that…’ is not apologizing!” — @MollyMcPherson [0:08:54] “In the event of the incident or the moment where you need to apologize, make sure that you do! And use the word ‘apologize.’” — @MollyMcPherson [0:14:14] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Bill Clinton Bill Clinton on TwitterMolly McPherson on TikTok Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/ ...

An inside look at how a PR crisis manager helps a client with disenfranchised customers.In this episode, we explore the triggers that make an unsatisfied customer seek retribution. We discuss the journey from victim to activist, and why campaigns are being branded as calls to action for other victims. Also discussed are the different stages of the victim-to-activist cycle and how companies can restore trust while maintaining their credibility. Key Points From This Episode: Today we will be discussing the change that is happening in the activism playbook. Molly’s experience joining TikTok. Why activism emerges from the victim to activism cycle. Discussing the victim to activism cycle. Why activism campaigns are branding their successes using a call to action to engage as a victim.The different stages of the Lukaszewski victim cycle.Why activists and victims love the idea of a forum.How companies can handle victims' need for an apology. Call to action: identify who the victim is, determine where they are in the victim cycle, and determine what you can do.Today’s Indestructible PR tip: do what you need to do immediately to keep your credibility.  Tweetables: “Every business has a victim. Every organization has a victim.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:05:49] “What [victims] are looking for is the guilty party.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:11:51] “That’s my call to you for this podcast: define who your victim might be, identify who your victim is, and determine what you’re going to do to fix it.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:18:00] “A crisis waits for no one.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:19:07] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Molly McPherson on TikTokMolly McPherson on Twitter Listen and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. 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. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymcpherson.substack.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/ ...