The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

The current level of discourse on social media has created a pretty strained environment for users (and that’s putting it mildly). Even a simple analysis can trigger intense responses from viewers, creating an inordinate amount of stress for creators. This week’s podcast examines the current level of pushback on social media and how it is affecting the online landscape. Hear about the latest headlines concerning Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and why posts about the couple always seem to elicit an excessive amount of critical feedback. Also covered is a first-hand account of the Indestructible PR® inbox, including audience questions, feedback, and insights into why certain stories get analyzed and others don’t. You’ll learn more about the process behind choosing topics for Indestructible PR® posts before hearing a series of actionable tips on how to go about searching for entry-level PR jobs, along with an update on an exciting Indestructible PR® Podcast milestone! Tune in for an unfiltered look at the Indestructible PR® inbox, listener insights, and thoughts on the current social media landscape.Key TopicsThe topic that generates the most critical feedback on Molly’s social media: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.A closer look at the intense level of pushback on social media.How this type of pushback is resulting in an increasingly strained online environment.Why the current social media landscape feels like Cancel Culture 3.0.An overview of the media story around Harry and Meghan’s ‘near catastrophic’ car chase.Molly’s take on this story and the media strategy that was used.A rundown of Molly’s posts on this topic and their exceptionally high view counts.Edward Bernays’ incisive quote on media manipulation and how it applies to this story.Insight into what it is like to talk about Harry and Meghan in the world of social media.Examples of the types of messages Molly has received in response to her posts.Molly shares questions from her inbox and discusses her answers.The story of Jamie Foxx’s alleged stroke and Molly’s thoughts on it.Why Molly prefers not to analyze stories concerning TaThe 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 ...

On this episode of Indestructible PR Podcast with Molly McPherson, the focus is on the challenge of regaining a lost reputation after a crisis. Molly discusses the importance of acknowledging mistakes and taking steps to prevent recurrence, highlighting the recent statement by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an example of a strong PR crisis response. The discussion centers around the importance of reconciling with groups affected by the crisis, offering sincere apologies, engaging in dialogue, and showing a commitment to healing relationships and rebuilding trust. Molly also examines the impact of exclusion on different communities and the importance of considering diverse perspectives in decision-making. Ultimately, the episode offers a valuable perspective on the rebuilding of a damaged reputation and the importance of reconciliation and accountability.Mentioned in this Episode - The importance of reconciling with a group before reconciling with the greater community, their supporters, and all stakeholders.- The Los Angeles Dodgers recent statement where they reversed a decision regarding the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.- The need to acknowledge feedback, offer sincere apologies, engage in dialogue, and show a commitment to healing relationships and rebuilding trust.- The negative impact of exclusion and how it could have been avoided.- The strong reactions people have towards various topics including narcissism, race, and discrimination.- The emphasis on reconciliation, penance, and the need for apologies to be extended not only to the LGBTQ+ community but also to their friends and family.- Pressure from the extreme segment of the Catholic Church, the Catholic League.- The conflict between traditional baseball fans and the need to court younger generations and female fans.- Feedback from diverse communities on the Dodgers' decision.- The importance of being honest and making the effort to have sincere conversations.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, discussing the growing importance of understanding racial insensitivity online. We discuss the recent car chase story involving Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as well as the press accounts and possible long-play strategy behind their media statement. As well as how Meghan Markle's biracial identity impacts press coverage and public opinion, both positively and negatively. Additionally, the importance of taking responsibility for our words and content and to better understand the significance of educating ourselves and continually striving to be better allies and digital citizens. Finally, how weaponized misinformation on social media, coupled with the rise of social media vigilantes, presents a serious problem in today's digital landscape.Topics covered in the podcast episode:Prince Harry and Meghan Markle car chasePositive and negative media coverage of Meghan MarkleThe Royal family and their working relationship with the pressExamining the paparazzi's actions and intentionsDiscussion about the polarizing effects of Meghan Markle's scrutinyThe impact of her biracial identityConsequences of discussing certain topics, particularly related to raceMarkle as a symbol of progress and also as a disruptor in the pressThe issue of  weaponized misinformation on social media and how it is being used to hurt peopleSocial media vigilantism Agenda behind these attacksThe issue of being "canceled" on TikTokProblematic situation on TikTok for the Racism and racial insensitivity associated with the spread of misinformationNegative consequences of spreading misinformationCelebrating Juneteenth: Why organizations should have noted the day on social media  How to Talk About Race Without Sounding Like a Racist 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 ...

In today's episode, we delve deep into the realm of public relations (PR) and perception management. Step behind the curtain with us as we uncover the hidden strategies and tactics that PR professionals and Hollywood publicists employ to shape narratives and mold public opinion.Join your host, Molly McPherson, as she ventures into the realm of crisis management, where PR professionals truly showcase their mettle. From high-profile scandals to corporate disasters, we examine real-life case studies and unveil the perception management strategies used to regain control and salvage reputations.Throughout the episode, we emphasize the profound impact perception has on shaping public opinion. Explore how the power of perception can shape our reality, often blurring the lines between fact and fiction. Through thought-provoking discussions, we aim to unravel the complexities and ethical dilemmas faced by those working in PR and perception management.Whether you're a pop culture enthusiast, a curious observer of media manipulation, or simply interested in understanding the forces that shape our perceptions, this episode will captivate your attention and broaden your understanding of the fascinating world of PR.Key Points From This Episode:What is the definition of "Wagging the dog?" Molly's TikTok about the PR spin surrounding Kevin Costner's divorce: Part 1Molly's TikTok about the PR spin surrounding Kevin Costner's divorce: Part 2Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez's relationship strife: what's the PR spin? Describing the positive and negative aspects to PR spin.PR spin used by former NYC Governor Andrew Cuomo during COVID-19 nursing home crisis. Why PR spin is a slippery slope in a crisis.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 ...

A digital intimidation campaign is only as effective as your fear of it. Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. How does that apply to Public Relations and strategic communications? Online attacks have become a pertinent problem for public relations clients but are not impossible to thwart. The best defense against an online attack is a strong offense, starting with your strong and trustworthy digital presence. By monitoring online conversations, attacks can be prevented before they begin. Responding quickly and professionally goes a long way, and a loyal following holds the power to provide a meaningful line of defense. Along with crafting a strategic response, it can be appropriate to consider if there is any validity behind the reasons for the attack and to offer an authentic and transparent response. The only thing worth fearing in an intimidation attack is what might happen if you don’t respond at all. Consider these five strategies to guide your path.Key Points From This Episode:Why fear and intimidation are relevant concepts to the PR industry.Where online attacks often stem from.What a default approach to dealing with digital intimidation may consist of.An alternative strategy to outflank and push back on negative feedback.Examples of further reaching traction that might unfold if a campaign is successfully thwarted.Why it is ill-advised to go against a well-meaning group that has a leg to stand on.Who this advice is for: an organization under unfair attack.The power of owning your own media, including social media. How a strong online presence can help to establish credibility and a loyal following.Monitoring online conversations to prevent an online attack.Why it is important to respond quickly and professionally.How influencers can help to defend companies against an attack. Building transparency and authenticity.Considering feedback.Why telling the truth is the most powerful defense. What is worthy of fear in an intimidation campaign: not responding at all! Admitting fault to deflate bullies.What happens to bullies when you start speaking the truth: they retreat!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 ...

As seen on NBC News, exploring the phenomenon of manufactured outrage and how it is used by celebrities and brands to generate buzz and profit. Molly discusses her contribution to the broadcast news story about the business implications of this practice, as well as its impact on politics and culture.We take a look at the intersection of celebrity, marketing, and social issues. We're back to Dylan Mulvaney and Bud Light, as well as a discussion on Meghan Trainor (rightfully) being lectured by teachers. Key Points From This Episode:Bud Light fallout intensifies over trans partnership (NBC News, April 26, 2023) Meghan Trainor Apologizes After Criticizing Teachers (TikTok, April 23, 2023)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 ...

Employee well-being should be at the forefront of every CEO’s mind, not only because it is the right thing to do from a humanistic perspective, but also because your reputation as a leader and the longevity of your company depends on it. Since the pandemic, employees are no longer willing to put up with being treated disrespectfully, and many customers are no longer willing to buy from companies who treat their employees in such a manner. In this episode, you’ll hear about the tirades that the CEOs of MillerKnoll and Clearlink went on during their virtual town hall meetings, how these meetings turned into viral videos, and the damage they have done. A rallying cry and a demeaning rant are two completely different things, and as a leader in today’s incredibly interconnected world, it is imperative that you are mindful of how you speak to your team. Key Points From This Episode:What the role of a CEO entails.Why some customers are boycotting MillerKnoll. How the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the working world.The question that sparked Andi Owen’s tirade during a company town hall meeting.Problems with the way Andi Owen responded to the backlash against the video of her town hall meeting that went viral. Why prioritizing employee wellbeing is essential to a company’s success.Advice for holding a virtual town hall meeting. The rant made by Clearlink’s CEO during their virtual town hall meeting. Today’s Indestructible PR® tip: be mindful of what you say and how you treat your team! Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Replying to @mollyschief #greenscreen MillerKnoll’s Andi Owen had spoken. Sort of. The official response to the “pity city” viral employee town hallOut of Touch CEO RIDICULES Employees Who Asked About BonusesThe World’s Worst CEO BLASTS Nearly Everyone In His CompanyWant 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 ...

It’s not often that one of the world’s most admired spiritual leaders who describes himself as an advocate for warm-heartedness, compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, and self-discipline finds himself in the midst of a PR crisis. A video filmed in February 2023 of the Dalai Lama asking a young boy to ‘suck’ his tongue went viral in April. Although some people have argued that there has been a cultural misunderstanding, the overwhelming majority of responses have been vehemently critical. In this episode, you will hear a line-by-line dissection of the very problematic public apology that the Dalai Lama made in the wake of the negative responses to the video.Key Points From This Episode:The video that led the Dalai Lama to receive a lot of negative attention in the media. Who the Dalai Lama is and the values that he advocates for. Controversial statements that the Dalai Lama has made in the past. The argument in defense of the Dalai Lama’s actions in the video. The overwhelming response that the video received. How the Dalai Lama publicly responded to the outcry about the video.Problems with the Dalai Lama’s public apology. Unpacking the DARVO strategy. Tactics that should always be avoided in public responses.Advice on what to do if you are involved in an incident that goes viral. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dalai Lama apologizes after video asking boy to ‘suck my tongue’Dalai Lama apologizes after video show him asking boy to ‘suck my tongue’Dalai Lama apologizes after video asking child to ‘suck’ his tongue sparks outcryStatement | The 14th Dalai LamaThe 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, discussing how celebrities can turn scandal into opportunity and leverage their time in the spotlight to create positive change. We will explore different ways in which celebrities have used their platform to redeem themselves and make a positive impact on society.Key Points From This Episode: The Anatomy of a ScandalWhat are the different types of scandals that celebrities may find themselves in and how these scandals can affect their public image.We will also explore how scandals can be a double-edged sword and how they can be turned into opportunities for growth and redemption.Examples of celebrities who have turned scandal into opportunityDiscussed examples of celebrities who have successfully turned their scandals into opportunities for positive change: Gwyneth Paltrow, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and Ricky Martin. Exploring how these celebrities were able to use their platform to redeem themselves and create a positive impact on society.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 ...

Sweeping layoffs were big news in 2022, and this shows no sign of slowing down in 2023. From Amazon to Salesforce, Twitter, Google, and more, major tech companies are making large numbers of employees redundant. Recently, Meta announced that it would be cutting 10,000 jobs (or roughly 10% of its workforce) in response to what CEO Mark Zuckerberg describes as “challenging market conditions.” While layoffs can be challenging and emotional for both the employees affected and the leaders of those companies, the language used by CEOs in their statements can make a major difference in how these dismissals are perceived. This week’s podcast addresses the language commonly used by CEOs in their layoff announcements, the importance of displaying empathy and humanity, and which terms leaders should avoid. Also covered is a handy framework to follow when crafting a statement regarding any changes that impact the future of a company and those who work there. Ultimately, the more information CEOs can provide to explain layoffs and what steps the company is taking to mitigate the impact on employees, the better! Thanks to social media, disgruntled employees are now able to tell the world how they feel about being laid off, whether fairly or unfairly, and it’s your job as a leader to mitigate those outcomes. People are paying attention, and as you’ll learn from this episode, CEOs should see this as an opportunity to show some humanity.Key Points From This Episode:Why displaying empathy and understanding for dismissed employees is important.Terms to avoid, including redundancies or cutbacks.Corporate pet names, blaming outward, and other insights from The Washington Post about “how tech CEOs talk when they lay off workers.”Victim-blaming language that tech CEOs use in statements and memos regarding layoffs.Accountability, apologies, and vulnerability: why there needs to be less ego in the C-suite.What you can learn from the missteps of “robotic” leaders who lack compassion.Placing blame on broader economic factors rather than employees.Own it, explain it, promise it: a framework for statements regarding changes in a company.How CEOs can communicate a sense of hope and optimism for the future of the company.Why the most basic requirement for any layoff announcement is showing huWant 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 ...