The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

Social media's effect on crisis communication is powerful. A growing number of crises not only start on social media, but its viral power fuels the communication crisis as well.This episode explains the difference between a social media fail and a social media crisis, and why the latter is so damaging to a brand or organization.  Learn the three categories of a crisis based on responsibility and how social media contributes to each level. Then, three easy steps for how to build a social media crisis plan that will not destroy your reputation. Mentioned in the episode: Episode 123: How to Spot the Guilty Culprit From This Type of Media Response: Tells from Ted Cruz to Andrew CuomoMembers of Gov. Cuomo's own party now calling for his resignation (my interview with CBS 6, WRBG in Albany, NY)Listen + Subscribe Stitcher or Apple PodcastsThe 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 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

Whether you work as a public speaker or occasionally find yourself giving a speech in front of a room, there is an outcome you are likely trying to achieve: Persuasion?Sales?Inspire change? At the end of this episode, I promise you that the next speech you make in front of an audience or speak for a live video presentation will be the best you have ever made.Allison Shapira, author of Speak with Impact: How to Command the Room and Influence Others, is our guide in this episode, which guarantees you will immediately leave an impact in your next speech or presentation. Allison offers tips to deliver well-crafted messages with confidence and authenticity.  After listening to her advice, you will sound as capable as you are.Listen + Subscribe Stitcher or Apple Podcasts © Molly McPherson, 2021The 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 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

Whenever there is a crisis, there is often the truth, and then there is the story we hear. Managing a crisis in the age of social media isn't easy, especially when there are so many people with an opinion and a Twitter account. To get it right means you need to respond in a manner that makes it go away. Fall into this trap that so many people ensnarled in a crisis do, and you'll never survive. On this episode, the one crisis response tactic that so many people have used to get themselves out of the line of fire,.  Listen for this one response that is the ultimate defense mechanism, but nowadays only leads to a bigger crisis.  Mentioned in the episode: How to Apologize During a PR Crisis: Why Ellen DeGeneres Kept Quiet (And Why You Shouldn’t)How to Admit Your Mistakes: The Ellen DeGeneres ApologyHow to Write a Memorable Quote Listen + Subscribe Stitcher or Apple PodcastsWant 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 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

Power outages and no running water have left Texas and other parts of the South reeling from the effects of a deep freeze in mid-February that has created a huge communication need for services that meet the most basic needs.The recent natural disasters have shown that social media is an integral part of the crisis response. When leadership and communications work together to plan the right response to reach stakeholders, the most effective plans optimize social media. In this episode, three key takeaways on how to use social media in an emergency situation highlighting best practices from the Texas winter storms. 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 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

Just found out your dear friend or family member was giving a scary diagnosis?Do you not know how to deal with it? Wondering how to respond?This episode is here to help.A deeply personal episode about how to respond to a friend or loved one who has recently been diagnosed with a shocking and serious diagnosis.Although there may not be a set script for the best words to say to a friend or loved one who is dealing with a frightening diagnosis, there are words of comfort that are the right words at the right time.  Mentioned in this episode: #116: How to Respond to a Grieving Frien‪d‬-- Needing to book a virtual speaker for your event? Go to mollymcpherson.com/hire for more information. -- To help JDRF's mission is to find a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its complications through the support of research, donate here. 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 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

The first day of February opens a month that offers many opportunities to acknowledge the achievements and struggles of this group, both past and present.In this episode, why many companies and organizations may choose to overlook this important communication opportunity in February, and the potential negative impact if they do not. A must-listen for communicators who are struggling how to approach the topic of communicating about this historic month to their leaders.Mentioned on the podcast: Episode 116: What Executives Should Know About Speaking Out on Politics and Social Issues with Anthony Hayes  -- Needing to book a virtual speaker for your event? Go to mollymcpherson.com/hire for more information. 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 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

Sometimes the hardest part of dealing with a bad news story for communicators, is dealing with a boss whose opinions or behavior become the story. In an episode inspired by the recent story of the CEO of a restaurant group wading in on the 2020 election results with disastrous results, Dr. Abby Medcalf offers a guide for people who need to navigate complicated situations with a difficult boss. From being selfish and self-centered to constantly seeking praise and assurance, people can react negatively to any feedback, especially from a junior colleague. On the episode, what to say first to a problematic person and what never to do to bring them onto your side of the street. -- Needing to book a virtual speaker for your event? Go to mollymcpherson.com/hire for more information. 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 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

Is there anything worse than having to deliver a message to someone when you know they don’t want to hear it? Not only is it one of the most dreadful conversations you can have, it can also lead to permanent pain if not handled properly. On this episode of the podcast, how to deliver bad news and not be left in a position where the recipient wants to shoot the messenger - you. Whether in an official statement to the press or when sharing bad news with employees, listen to three tips to help you break the news. -- Needing to book a virtual speaker for your event? Go to mollymcpherson.com/hire for more information. 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 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

There does come a point when someone’s behavior puts them in a place of no return when it comes to the acceptance of the public. But where is that line? And who draws it? Was it wrong to attend President Donald Trump’s speech on the National Mall, in Washington, D.C. on January 6th? Did a person cross the line if they climbed the steps and crossed the threshold of the U.S. Capitol?   One of my favorite media trainers joined me on the podcast to discuss damage control in January 2021.   Warren Weeks, the principal of full-service corporate communications firm Eleven Strategic Communications, Inc., sat down to chat with me about some of the names facing public backlash this month. From actor Armie Hammer to Jenna Ryan, the “riot realtor” from Texas who livestreamed her way into infamy from the U.S. Capitol, we give our two cents about people who are paying big time for their recent behavior.  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 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

There were a lot of questions surrounding the storming of the U.S. Capitol last week. Of the many—what should my company say, if anything, about the events in Washington, D.C.?  My guest, Anthony Hayes, sets out a strategy for how executives can respond to any political or social issue without experiencing the backlash. Anthony Hayes has spent more than 15 years in communications, crisis and issue management and political and legislative campaigns. He founded The Hayes Initiative to apply his experience steering organizations’ public affairs and media relations to clients across business, politics, nonprofits, and philanthropy.  © Molly McPherson 2021   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 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...