The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

As a business leader, employee or owner, you have the opportunity to interact with many people from all walks of life and places.Just as important as why you interact with people, is that you’re able to greet them appropriately so you get off on the right foot. But greeting etiquette depends on so many factors, aside from culture--how you know the person and who is hosting the meeting also plays a factor.About MollyMolly McPherson, M.S., APR, combines her knowledge of current communication practices with years of news and PR experience to help people become modern-age communicators in their industry and help to build crisis-proof businesses. From her work in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the cruise line industry in Washington, D.C., Molly develops the right plans and messaging for clients to protect and build their reputations.  Listen + subscribe on Stitcher or Apple Podcasts.  © Molly McPherson 2019Want 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.mediaClick 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

Someone at your organization was accused of sexual harassment. Perhaps the harassment was in the form of an inappropriate remark, behavior, incident or outburst.  You work in leadership and have to respond. Or you may even be that person accused of harassment.  Now what?  This episode looks at recent news stories of how organizations dealt with a sexual harassment issue when it became public.  Discussing what should happen from a public messaging perspective. What do you say about the incident as a spokesperson for the organization? What do you say about the culture of your organization? What do you say if you were the person who was accused? How to respond to sexual harassment within your organization in the age of social media.  Mentioned In This Episode NBCUniversal releases former staffers from confidentiality agreements about sexual harassment Where in the World Is Matt Lauer’s Reputation? Episode 50: Confident Communications Podcast  Harvard Band Members Walk Out of Centennial Banquet After Alumni Comments on Sexual Harassment Policy 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.mediaClick 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

It's October, and all four major professional U.S. sports leagues are in full swing, making it the busiest sports month of the year. The sports industry is a very profitable one as well, which means there is a lot to learn about it from a business point of view.    My guest today is Emmy-award winning supervising producer Stu Kirshenbaum, who worked over 20 years in network sports television and is now the owner and executive producer for Keystone Films.      With his intimate knowledge of all things sports, Stu gets into the nitty-gritty of how to gain and retain a fanbase. The sports business is just like most businesses -- how do you keep your multi-generational fans happy even when they are temperamental?   Whether you are a sports fan or a fan of building your business, you’ll want to listen to this episode.  Mentioned In This Episode Keystone Films 2019 World Series Nationals vs. Astros Washington Nationals, DC fans troll Bryce Harper    About Stu As owner and Executive producer, Stu Kirshenbaum has spent over 20 years as a supervising producer working at the highest levels of network sports television, where his work was honored with 5 Sports Emmy Awards. Keystone Films focuses almost exclusively on enhancing the brand of horse racing and breeding clients by implementing a range of strategies in broadcast, digital and social media, which have led to demonstrable bottom-line growth. About Molly Molly McPherson, M.S., APR, combines her knowledge of current communication practices with years of news and PR experience to help people become modern-age communicators in their industry and help to build crisis-proof businesses. From her work in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the cruise line industry in Washington, D.C., Molly develops the right plans and 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.mediaClick 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

This month is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. A perfect time to remind people that we live in a world increasingly reliant on technology, which makes us all vulnerable to cyberattacks.  This week's guest helps companies prepare for the days they hope will never happen -- a cyberattack. Mark Hoffman discusses how phishing attacks occur and why organizations need cybersecurity plans. Mentioned in this episode:  City of Baltimore Ransomware Attack Click here get his guide on the top ten anti-phishing tips, "Don't Be Too Quick to Click"  Follow Mark Hoffman on LinkedIn About Mark Hoffman Mark Hoffman, MBCI, CBCP, is a crisis management and business continuity consultant with cybersecurity response and crisis communications experience spanning over twenty years. With a proven track record across multiple sectors, including financial, insurance, utilities and municipal governments, Mark has extensive experience in the development and execution of tabletop and operational exercises with a focus on measurable results that lead to the overall improvement of plans and programs.  About Molly Molly McPherson, M.S., APR, combines her knowledge of current communication practices with years of news and PR experience to help people become modern-age communicators in their industry and help to build crisis-proof businesses. From her work in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the cruise line industry in Washington, D.C., Molly develops the right plans and messaging for clients to protect and build their reputations.  Listen + subscribe on Stitcher or 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.mediaClick 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

Matt Lauer is having is a very bad week. This week, former MSNBC correspondent journalist Ronan Farrow released his book, Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators. The book highlights the claims of sexual misconduct claims against the former host of The Today Show and how his employer, NBC News, handled the fallout. This special edition of the podcast looks at the PR efforts made by Matt Lauer's team to blunt the bad press and to try to win back the loyalty from Lauer's former viewer. A PR rehab project. Did the efforts work? You'll find out in this special breaking news edition of the Confident Communications Podcast.  Mentioned in this episode: Matt Lauer dances with daughter in TikTok video Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators by Ronan Farrow Matt Lauer's full letter, sent via his legal representative Oct. 9, in response to claims made by former NBC News employee Brooke Nevils.     Listen + subscribe on Stitcher or Apple Podcasts. © Molly McPherson 2019The 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.mediaClick 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

We live in the time of the internet, where information travels at the speed of your WiFi connection or data plan. That’s just one reason communication is so important--because communication online isn’t anonymous and anything you post (or say, tweet, etc.) can and will be used against you.This week on the Confident Communications Podcast, I’m speaking with Diana Peterson-More, who has worn many hats over her varied career: author, attorney, corporate manager, executive officer, consultant and more. We talk about her new book, Consequential Communication in Turbulent Times: A Practical Guide to Leadership, which is a compilation of everything she’s learned in her professional career and how to apply that knowledge in your own life.I love her take on how to communicate with others, which she’s dubbed the Platinum Rule of Communication. It’s time we start thinking about what we want others to do with the information we give them and how they might receive our communication. Essentially, we need to focus on communicating the way the other person wants to be communicated with, so we’re seen and heard. This is especially important if we’re leaders because employees who feel valued are more likely to help you work toward the bottom line.Mentioned in this episodeConsequential Communication in Turbulent Times: A Practical Guide to LeadershipAbout Diana Peterson-MoreOver the course of her long career, Diana Peterson-More has been a practicing employment lawyer, a corporate manager, director, executive officer, and a sought-after consultant and guest presenter. Throughout her varied career, she has been fascinated by what motivates herself and others to achieve results, to determine their own unique definitions of success, and then to facilitate a roadmap to get there. You can folloThe 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.mediaClick 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

No business or individual is immune to online attacks. If you want to be visible and a leader, it’s bound to happen. Groups of unsatisfied customers taking to Facebook to build a community to rise against you--warranted or not. What you need is an action plan so you can quickly respond to these online attacks professionally and appropriately. But unfortunately, too many business owners and leaders either respond defensively or don’t know enough about how social media works to protect themselves. On this week’s episode of the Confident Communications Podcast, I’m sharing with you: How to find groups that are targeting you online, and why you shouldn’t chime with a response in inside those groups Why you should never go into hiding when you’re being attacked online How to get your own message out there Where to respond to online attacks so you’re seen and heard This is also the topic of this month’s Confident Leader Network training. If you’re not already a member, find out how to join here and get monthly training modules, a live "Ask the Expert" call and access to the online course, "Calm the Critics: How to Protect Your Organization from the Newest Line of Attack - Online Activists."  Heard on the episode:  Episode 25: Why Major League Baseball Hits a Homerun Marketing to Fans 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.mediaClick 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

Sorry, but here we go again.  Poor judgment turns up online, and someone now needs to apologize.  School photos of a high-profile politician wearing blackface surface online before an election and the masses call for a resignation.   A cast member on a popular television program is hired, then quickly fired for comments made on a podcast. Why do some people survive the PR crisis while others perish? The answer is in the apology.  Today on the Confident Communications Podcast, we’re going to look at the art of saying “I’m sorry” in the digital age, and what timing and framing have as much to do with the apology as the words themselves. Social media has changed everything, and the public apology is no exception.  Mentioned In This Episode Justin Trudeau EXCLUSIVE: Video shows Trudeau in blackface in 3rd instance of racist makeup (Global News)  Watch Sen. Al Franken's Talking Points & Apologies in Interview About Sexual Harassment Allegations (Video) Governor Ralph Northam Apologies for Racist Yearbook Photo Megyn Kelly Apologizes For Blackface Comments: ‘I was Wrong, And I Am Sorry’ | Megyn Kelly TODAY 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.mediaClick 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

Leaders in business juggle communication challenges from all angles--their teams, the media and even their families. On the plus side, if we’re open and communicating, we’re able to choose the message that others hear. Unfortunately, that’s not always what happens in the real world.As this week’s guest, Scott Harvey, tells us, too many people aren’t good at actively listening. And in some cases for organizations, they don’t always communicate openly with the press -- much to their detriment.In this week’s episode of the Confident Communications Podcast, Scott shares tips on how to be a better listener and how to make sure your message is front and center (even if asked a question you don’t want to answer).In a departure from our typical episodes, I also asked Scott to talk about social media from our children’s perspectives. As parents, we want to make sure our kids are safe online and he shares some great tips for doing just that--so you can go back to being a leader at home and beyond.About Scott HarveyAfter 20 years in law enforcement and over ten years owning his own company, Scott has learned a lot about what makes people successful. From supervising officers as their Sargent to teaching thousands of D.A.R.E classes, and speaking professionally to over 100,000 people, Scott has honed his ability to teach these leadership skills to others. He is one of the most in-demand youth speakers in Kentucky, and does over 70 shows each year passing on what he has learned.About Molly Molly McPherson, M.S., APR, combines her knowledge of current communication practices with years of news and PR experience to help people become modern-age communicators in their industry and help to build crisis-proof businesses. From her work in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the cruise line industry in Washington, D.C., Molly develops the right plans and messaging for clients to protect and build their reputations. Molly founded the Confident Leader Network and frequently speaks on crisis communications, public relations and social media.Listen + subscribe on 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.mediaClick 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

What were you doing 18 years ago this week, on September 11, 2001? If you’re like most people in my talks and workshops, you know exactly where you were, what you were doing and what you thought about first when you heard about the first plane crashing into the World Trade Center. But have you thought about how the way you find and react to the news has changed since that day? Today, we wouldn’t run to television stations to find the latest on breaking news; we’d grab our cell phones or laptops. Not only that, but the public now has a bigger voice in how news is disseminated--good or bad. Today on the Confident Communications Podcast, I’m sharing my own thoughts and reactions to the attacks. And I’m sharing why if you’re not changing with the times in your own reactions to big stories, you’re going to be left behind as a leader.   Mentioned In This Episode Live coverage of the Today Show - 9/11/01 (fast-forward to 1:46:30 for coverage) TECC 197: How to Confidently Communicate In-Person and Online for Engineers with Molly McPherson Episode 37: The JFK Jr. Plane Crash Stay Relevant in the 21st Century If you want to stay relevant in how you get and respond to breaking stories--both in your organization and out--be sure to download my Top 5 Rookie Mistakes guide.     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.mediaClick 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: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...