The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

Courting Public Favor: Jessica Biel & Justin TimberlakeSummary:In this episode of The PR Breakdown, analyzing the recent PR moves surrounding Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake. Following Timberlake’s arrest for a DWI in June 2024, Biel made a rare public appearance with their son at the US Open. Was this just a family outing, or a carefully timed PR strategy to shift the public’s focus from Timberlake’s legal issues?Looking into the key moments of their public image management, examining Biel's balancing act between family privacy and public visibility, Timberlake’s decision to address the DWI on stage during his tour, and the timing of these events. We'll connects the dots between these moves and offers key lessons on how timing and misdirection play crucial roles in public relations crises.Learn why it’s important to own your narrative in times of crisis and how celebrities use strategic timing to manage public perception.Key Takeaways:The importance of timing in managing a PR crisis.How public figures use personal moments to shift the narrative and regain control.The intersection of transparency, timing, and audience connection in crisis communication.Mentioned in This Episode:Jessica Biel’s rare public outing with her son Silas.Justin Timberlake’s June 2024 DWI arrest and his public response.PR strategies like timing and misdirection that celebrities use to shape public perception.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends who love digging into the strategies behind the headlines.New Episodes Every Wednesday!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 ...

‘Who’s holding those strings’: Molly McPherson goes viral on TikTok for decoding celebrity PR strategy. - Boston Globe, Dec. 25, 2023Seeing my name next to the words 'viral' and 'TikTok' is nothing short of terrifying. In this final episode, the tables are turned when I sit down for an interview with the Boston Globe's Dana Gerber for a feature story highlighting my work as a creator on TikTok. Judging by the comments that appeared alongside the story, I was a hit! GoodBob12/25/23 - 8:51PMCongratulations to Molly on capitalizing on the ‘who could care less ‘ market - good for you!Okay, maybe not.This episode reveals the intricate balance of managing one's own public relations in the digital era, especially when personal and professional realms intersect.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 ...

Journalist and host of the Infamous podcastt, Vanessa Grigoriadis joins Molly as they dive deep into the life, career, and public image of global pop star, Taylor Swift. Vanessa profiled Taylor Swift for Rolling Stone in 2009 right after the release of her second album, “Fearless.” Since then she has been following Taylor from country pop-start to a dominated figure in our culture. In this episode of the "Allegedly" series, Vanessa and Molly discuss Taylor’s PR from her early days of running her own Myspace to her and Travis Kelce’s full-on PR push, this episode has no blank spaces. Links:Follow Vanessa Grigoriadis:https://twitter.com/vanessagrigorVanessa’s Rolling Stone Profile on Taylor Swift:https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/the-very-pink-very-perfect-life-of-taylor-swift-107451/Vanessa’s Podcast: Infamous:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/infamous/id1652941051The 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 is the inaugural episode of the Indestructible PR podcast series called, Allegedly. In this series, I take a critical look at the PR moves, media narratives, and survival tactics that celebrities use to circumvent a PR nightmare.On my very first episode of the Allegedly series, we are talking all about Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. From red-carpet appearances to playing the supporting role in each new venture, we break down the calculated decisions that the couple is making behind the scenes to *allegedly* keep up appearances. Joining me in this episode is relationship psychologist Dr. Abby Metcalf who might be able to offer some insight on where Bennifer 2.0 may be headed.Mentioned in this episode: A Quote from Ben Affleck's Howard Stern Show Interview (2021)https://www.tmz.com/2021/12/15/ben-affleck-drinking-blame-jennifer-garner-trapped-marriage/Ben Affleck's "addressing" his interview on The Howard Stern Show.   https://youtu.be/g2KKhmgelEwAbby's podcast, Relationships Made Easy can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relationships-made-easy/id1406061656?mt=2Learn more about Abby:https://abbymedcalf.com/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 ...

An episode about the profession of public relations for the practitioners who make it one of the most exciting fields to work in. In this episode, a discussion about the future of the public relations industry with Michelle Egan, APR, Fellow PRSA, and Immediate Past Chair of PRSA. Boasting over three decades of communication experience, Michelle brings a substantial depth of understanding to the evolving PR landscape. Our conversation covers the significant changes currently shaping the industry, delves into the critical role of PRSA in steering professionals through these dynamic times, and examines the strategic plans that are charting the path forward. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone in the field of public relations, from those just starting their journey to seasoned veterans. Join us as we explore the future of PR, discussing how to effectively navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities within this ever-changing industry.Learn more about the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the nation's leading professional organization serving the communications community.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 ...

First episode for 2024! Hey there, PR pros and dedicated listeners! You won't want to miss this special episode where I dive deep into the year that left jaws on the floor with never-ending celebrity drama and crisis. Let's hit the rewind button and explore the twists and turns of 2023's scandalous celeb behavior that kept publicists on their toes and the rest of us following along closely. Here are your top five most popular episodes of the year. (Thank you, listeners!)Top Five Episodes:Episode 1: This episode was a favorite of mine as well. Episode 2: All aboard. Episode 3: Dissecting the PR Relationship RumorsEpisode 4: Apologies, denials, and online disasters.Episode 5: An end-of-year favorite with two of my favorite media guys. 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 ...

Let's go behind the scenes of broadcast television, where a former producer joins us to reveal the tricks of the trade. Our guest David McAlpine takes us inside the world of anchors, reporters, producers, and bookers to find out what it takes to be a successful guest on television. Learn how to present yourself confidently and effectively on air so that the reporter doesn't get the upper hand. Also, analyzing and giving feedback on an interview with a CEO at the center of one of the most significant PR brand crises in history. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to master media interaction and shine in the spotlight.Key Takeaways:Mastering Media Preparation: Learn the essential strategies for prepping for media appearances. From crafting your story to adeptly navigating surprise questions, we'll guide you through the steps to confidently handle media engagements.Navigating Interview Dynamics: Uncover the typical challenges encountered in interviews and how to effectively address them. We'll delve into the dynamics between interviewers and their subjects, offering advice on establishing a strong connection and keeping your cool in high-pressure situations.Dressing Right for Media Engagements: Get valuable tips on selecting the perfect outfit for different media settings. We'll discuss the art of creating a television-friendly appearance and the significance of leaving a lasting positive impression on your hosts.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 ...

Prepare to step back in time to revisit the top PR fiascos of 2023. Diving into the recent and semi-recent mishaps of the year and their enduring impacts. Joining Molly this week to breakdown the top crises of the year are two seasoned media and PR pros - John Perenack and Warren Weeks. This episode covers everything from significant advertising blunders to historical corporate crises. It's a mix of the obvious stories you'd expect on this list as well as some surprises. We're discussing what went down, who got hit the hardest, and what it all means for their reputation and bottom line. This episode really digs into the nitty-gritty of PR and crisis management.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 ...

The Chicago Blackhawks are in the process of terminating Corey Perry's contract due to unacceptable conduct, as part of addressing broader questions about the organization's culture. This episode examines their approach to managing rumors and controversies, particularly those related to personal conduct. It highlights the importance of developing clear, timely, and empathetic communication strategies to uphold an organization's reputation. The episode analyzes Corey Perry's specific case to illustrate effective crisis management and consistent messaging, emphasizing the need for accountability and empathy. The focus is on balancing transparency with privacy and dignity in professional settings, offering insights into handling such sensitive situations in the field of crisis communication.Mentioned in the episode: Become a member of the PR Confidential community on Patreon to access exclusive content, including a downloadable guide and bonus podcast on How to Communicate Private News from Your Organization While Protecting Sensitive Information. This resource focuses on navigating the delicate balance between transparency and confidentiality in organizational communication.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 ...

Apologies, denials, and online disasters. Molly is breaking down the Matt Rife and Colleen Ballinger PR crisis. This episode is all about perception management. As soon as the backlash starts, every subsequent step needs to be calculated. Often, this fine line between apology and denial can alter reputations and determine careers' trajectory in a blink. These three key takeaways:1. Exploring the anatomy of an apology, and what happens when it's done wrong, using Colleen Ballinger as our case study. Molly discusses how her previous behavior led to a backlash, how she responded to it, and how effective (or not) her response was.   2. Looking at "Bro humor" with Matt Rife. Molly dissects how he handled the backlash towards a controversial joke he threw out there and the marketing tactics he's using to survive it.3. Understanding the differences in their responses - from Ballinger's rebranding strategy to Rife's doubling down. Who’s approach will work in the long run? There are predictions to be made and lessons to be learned. 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 ...