The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

When controversies swirl, smart PR can turn turbulence into triumph. In this episode, dive into how Universal Pictures and the Wicked team transformed five headline-grabbing challenges into opportunities to strengthen the film’s buzz and audience trust.Scandals, Salaries & Strategy: From love triangles to pay gap rumors, discover how they tackled the drama with finesse.Tweets, Trends & Two-Part Twists: See how a two-part release and resurfaced tweets were spun into narrative wins.Crisis Lessons Worth Singing About: Uncover key strategies to engage stakeholders and turn outrage into standing ovations.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 Zach Bryan and Brianna "Chicken Fry" LaPaglia breakup has become a masterclass in contrasting PR strategies, pitting traditional celebrity discretion against modern social media transparency. As country music star Bryan maintains careful control through cryptic messages and measured statements, Barstool Sports personality LaPaglia takes the opposite approach, sharing raw, emotional details about their relationship and its end.Their public split crystallizes a pivotal moment in celebrity PR, where old-school privacy collides with new-age authenticity. The drama intensified with revelations about Bryan's presence on exclusive dating app Raya and LaPaglia's explosive claims about a potential non-disclosure agreement, sparking broader conversations about power dynamics in modern celebrity relationships.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 ...

Molly breaks down the TikTok drama everyone is consumed with at the moment - two creators and their pajamas. Cecily and Samantha Bachman, whose launch of $98 holiday pajamas sparked intense public criticism and led to a problematic apology that only fueled further backlash.Joining Molly is renowned relationship expert Dr. Abby Medcalf, who illuminates the fascinating connection between entitled behavior and ineffective communication. Together, they explore why people—from social media influencers to everyday individuals—often resort to defensive responses and excessive justifications when faced with criticism, and what this reveals about our modern social dynamics.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 ...

Martha Stewart's Netflix documentary reveals her PR battles and strategies for reputation repair. It dives into her infamous CBS salad interview and the repercussions of the $45,000 ImClone stock trade. Discover how her lawyers' silence was a misstep and why her relationship with Anthony Hopkins fizzled. The documentary showcases Martha's evolution from perfectionism to authenticity, illustrating how embracing flaws can become an asset. This captivating analysis highlights that sometimes, owning your story is the best crisis management.

It's a special episode featuring Molly's conversation with Canadian PR experts Warren Weeks and John Perenack from the Reputation Town podcast. Just days before the 2024 presidential election, they break down the most talked-about PR moves and media strategies shaping this historic race.Episode HighlightsAnalysis of Trump's McDonald's publicity stunt in PennsylvaniaThe "garbage" rhetoric war between campaignsJeff Bezos and the Washington Post's controversial no-endorsement decisionWhy traditional denial strategies are failing in the social media eraRising distrust in mainstream media and its impact on campaign messagingOur predictions for Election Day 2024The 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 ...

Behind the Scenes with Dr. Abby: Celebrity Relationships, Loyalty, and Reputation in the SpotlightThis week’s PR Breakdown Live episode on Patreon takes a deep dive into celebrity relationships, loyalty, and the challenges of managing public perception. With Dr. Abby Metcalf joining as a special guest, this lively discussion covers how fame and success impact high-profile relationships, what drives public reputation, and the complexities that unfold when loyalty and fame collide.Episode Highlights:Celebrity Relationships and Fame: Dr. Abby shares insights on why high-profile figures often face unique relationship challenges, covering famous couples such as:Patrick and Brittany Mahomes – How their relationship evolved from high school sweethearts to a branded partnership.Shaquille O’Neal and Snoop Dogg – Examples of loyalty in long-term relationships amidst public careers.Jon Bon Jovi – Insights on long-term celebrity marriages and why some last despite the spotlight.Infidelity and Opportunity in Hollywood: A look into why fame often leads to temptation, featuring:Bruce Springsteen, Justin Hartley, Ethan Slater – When fame tests loyalty.Bill and Melinda Gates, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez – Dr. Abby discusses why many high-profile breakups happen later in life, touching on the concept of “gray divorce.”Public Reputation and Redemption: A discussion on reputation management, with a focus on:Ellen DeGeneres – Molly’s take on Ellen’s career shifts, her latest Netflix special, and how handling public perception impacts her legacy.Upcoming Masterclass on Managing Online Backlash: A sneak peek into the November 6th masterclass focused on handling backlash and protecting brand reputation, designed for communication professionals and anyone facing public scrutiny.For more exclusive content, weekly insights, and live discussions, listeners are invited to join the Patreon community for full access to PR Breakdown Live.Join us next week for more expert PR insights and behind-the-scenes stories!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 ...

This episode of The PR Breakdown explores whether individuals and organizations should always respond to reporters' inquiries. She presents a nuanced view of media engagement, highlighting key considerations before agreeing to an interview. The episode outlines three critical questions to guide this decision.The episode includes real-life anecdotes from Molly's work and stresses the importance of understanding the media landscape, preparing adequately, and sometimes choosing to decline media opportunities to safeguard one's brand.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 ...

In this episode of The PR Breakdown, we take a deep dive into the high-stakes PR strategy of a "100% Denial." This approach has long been used by celebrities, politicians, and public figures when facing serious accusations. But is it still a smart move in today’s social media-driven world?We explore multiple examples of how this strategy plays out and examine why some public figures—like Garth Brooks, Lizzo, Prince Andrew, and Lance Armstrong—chose the denial route. Is it a legal necessity, or does it invite more trouble down the line? Breaking down why total denial can create significant risks, especially in an age where accountability is amplified through the media and social platforms.From legal consequences to reputational fallout, this episode highlights how a denial strategy can quickly backfire without care and empathy.Mentioned in This Episode:Garth Brooks' legal team’s denial strategy against sexual assault allegationsLizzo's PR crisis over harassment and abuse claims by former dancersPrince Andrew’s disastrous 2019 BBC interview about his connection to Jeffrey EpsteinLance Armstrong’s decade-long denial of using performance-enhancing drugsThe risks of aligning solely with legal strategies in public crisesThe 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 ...

In this episode of The PR Breakdown, digging into the PR crisis surrounding country music legend Garth Brooks. Two days before sexual assault allegations against him surfaced, Brooks posted a seemingly wholesome photo with his wife, Trisha Yearwood. Coincidence? Maybe not.Exploring how the couple is strategically handling the allegations in public, breaking down their moves and drawing parallels to familiar PR playbook tactics used by other high-profile figures. With serious accusations brought forward by a former makeup artist, Brooks' legal and PR teams are in full defense mode. The episode sheds light on the strategies of denial, diversion, and discreditation often used in such cases, questioning whether these methods will hold up in today’s environment of increased accountability.Mentioned in the Episode:Garth Brooks Instagram: Habitat for Humanity postGarth Brooks Instagram: Las Vegas ConcertTrisha Yearwood's real estate listing.Episode 282: Scandal Season: Why September Sparks Media, Celebrity, and Political Firestorms.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 ...

September marks the beginning of scandal season, when politicians, celebrities, and the media heat up with controversy. In this episode, we break down the crisis communication tactics used by high-profile figures, focusing on New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his response to federal charges of bribery and fraud.We take a closer look at Adams’ video statement and compare it to strategies used by former President Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo as he faced sexual harassment allegations. The language, optics, and emotional appeals in these public appearances reveal a shared crisis playbook: denial, deflection, and controlling the narrative through video.Mentioned in this episode:Breakdown of Eric Adams’ video responseBill Clinton’s 11-word denialAndrew Cuomo’s blend of denial and emotional appealStrategic timing of scandals in September and OctoberWhether you’re a PR professional or just fascinated by how public figures manage high-stakes scandals, this episode is packed with essential lessons in crisis management. Tune in to learn how these politicians use crisis communication to shape their public image—and their legacy.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 ...