The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

Examining the recent incident at Sesame Place in Philadelphia. In a video that went viral, a performer dressed as the beloved Sesame Street character Rosita appears to snub two Black children after high-fiving other visitors to the park. In this episode, we discuss what happened, how the park responded, why the initial response didn't work, and why they needed a second response to clean it up...

Today, on the Indestructible PR podcast, we respond to a listener question about crisis leadership among incumbents and successors.  A listener wants to know if there are any key distinctions in the guidance for crisis communication by leaders who swept in after an incident (where no individuals associated with the crisis are still involved) versus crisis communication that comes from the leadersh...

We are going back to the 90s to look at a presidential apology to help us learn a PR lesson for today. Learn the importance of apologizing for mistakes, why the right use of words is imperative, and why you need to action an apology rather than just hinting at one. We also dissect other public apologies to see who was successful in the their aapology and who botched it.  Key Points From This Episo...

An inside look at how a PR crisis manager helps a client with disenfranchised customers. In this episode, we explore the triggers that make an unsatisfied customer seek retribution. We discuss the journey from victim to activist, and why campaigns are being branded as calls to action for other victims. Also discussed are the different stages of the victim-to-activist cycle and how companies can re...

When music artist Lizzo released her new single ‘Grrls’ she was faced with backlash from the disabled community about a specific lyric used. Lizzo was labeled as an ableist, and fans of her work quickly pointed out why the word was so offensive and that it needed to change. The steps that Lizzo took to rectify her mistake and how she turned the controversy around should become the new standard for...

When there are victims involved in a crisis, they need to be shown compassion and assured that there will be no more victims.  In this episode of the Indestructible PR Podcast we discuss the good, the bad, and the ‘even worse’ of how Daily Harvest handled their food poisoning crisis. Influencers took to TikTok to post about the gastrointestinal issues she experienced after consuming one of Daily H...

 Focusing on who you are speaking to and what they want to hear before stepping into the public eye can help prevent press conference mishaps. Media trainer Warren Weeks to discuss Matthew McConaughey’s reaction to the Texas shootings and Jack Del Rio’s inappropriate political commentary. Tuning in you’ll hear why Matthew’s comments on the shootings resonated differently to those of other celebrit...

 There is more to you than your worst moment. This week we are joined by educator, speaker, and consultant Dan Farkas to discuss Bill Simmons’ Jalen Green blunder on his podcast, the Ringer Podcast. Tuning in, you will hear exactly what happened during the incident and what Dan thought of it. We also discuss how Bill and Jalen handled it and Dan’s opinion of Bill’s response. Next, we discuss the s...

In any crisis, the first 48 hours are make-or-break. Things can quickly spiral out of control if you don't have a solid plan in place.  Police Chief Pedro Arredondo's failure to respond to the CNN crew when they stopped unannounced looked bad for the school district's chief of police. It was even worse when he dodged legitimate questions. The patterns that lead to a crisis are discu...

In our digital age, it’s hard to hide from the ugly side of life. Social media has allowed us all to bear witness to some of the most tragic moments in human history. From videos of natural disasters to intimate updates from people in the midst of personal crises, we are constantly barraged with images and stories that are hard to stomach.  Amidst this onslaught of sadness and suffering, it can be...

Have you noticed the benefits of writing an opinion piece for expressing yourself? Do you want to start writing an opinion piece but don’t know where to start? Then today’s episode of Indestructible is for you! The power of opinion pieces has grown rapidly in recent years, becoming a popular form of communication and expression.  In today’s show, we interview an expert on writing opinion pieces, C...

So you've had a misstep at some point in your career.  It made news, maybe it made the press or it just created news in your ecosystem? If you have ever made a poor choice on a job, off the job, were fired publicly, were involved in a sticky situation, or had a professional relationship that adversely affected your reputation or the reputation of your employer, this episode is for you!   in t...

Making regrettable choices is inevitable for anyone but, when you're in the public eye, the stakes are higher and the risks are greater if you refuse to answer certain questions pertaining to your misdeeds. The purpose of today’s episode is not to help you respond when you are asked about divorce, infidelity, or being palsy with a convicted sex offender. This episode is about strategy; the st...

 The unfortunate circumstance of a social media storm is part of modern life on the internet. We have all seen the high-profile cases of cancellations and controversy that occur as a result of tweets and videos, and these may even extend to people we know more closely. So what can you do if you encounter such a problem, especially in light of old tweets and content, and the way the connected world...

Social media has made it exponentially easier for activists to share their grievances and find like-minded individuals online to join their cause. In today’s episode, we take a look at the root cause of dissent, why it happens, and how you can respond.  Learn how to identify the typical activist who might target your business and what you can do about it. Remember that it’s not necessarily about e...

Today’s topic is relevant to everyone who dares to engage in online dialogue, no matter our standing in the public eye. Using the ever-relevant example of ESPN’s Adam Schefter’s controversial tweet following the untimely passing of NFL quarterback, Dwayne Haskins, we tackle the great question: Delete or Not Delete That Tweet?  In this episode, you’ll discover the best way to repair the damage of a...

There is no quicker way to make an impact on your reputation than standing on stage in front of a room of people staring at you, listening to your every word.  Here are the lesser known tips on public speaking to help set you up for success. Tune in to hear a series of practical tips from an experienced speaker who isn’t afraid to dish out the inside scoop. Learn how to get the best out of your re...

By now most people will be somewhat familiar with the controversial events of the 2022 Oscars. Apart from the awards and winners, the incident in which Will Smith hit Chris Rock after a joke aimed at Jada Pinkett Smith, has clearly stolen the headlines and overshadowed the entire night.  The situation provides a great opportunity to look at how a crisis unfolds in real-time in the contemporary cli...

Ever wondered what it takes to get your own Wikipedia page? Here's the short answer: it's not as easy as you think.  In this episode, we get into the details about one of the most visited websites in the world and why outsourcing might be your best option for getting a Wikipedia page of your own.  Andrew Burnett, co-founder of Lumino Digital , talks about why many people struggle with th...

Let's start here: TikTok is not for everyone. One of the newer social media apps on the block is distracting, addictive, and  potentially dangerous if you overshare information. However, the app has some advantages over its competitors. TikTok is an easy-to-use tool with digestible video clips, making it a marketer's dream. Listen to tikTok in 10 minutes (or close to it). Follow me on Ti...

President Zelensky knows how to work a medium to his advantage. Volodymyr Zelensky, then a comedian playing the president of Ukraine in a TV series, won the very first season of the popular dancing show in 2006. Now he is winning the PR war against Russia by strategically sharing 'selfie' videos filmed from a smartphone. In this episode, why the 'selfie' is a powerful weapon fo...

Wondering if it's okay to keep marketing during times of unrest?  Social media is a helpful way to get a snapshot of the public's mood. And right now, it's safe to say that people feel uneasy watching the horrific scenes from Russia's attack on Ukraine. But it turns out, people are still interested in your products and services - they just need them delivered in a different way...

When Buckingham Palace announced that Her Majesty the Queen had tested positive for Covid-19, the press was alerted to the news via media advisory.  Even if a media advisory isn't necessary for your organization, knowing how to handle it is always helpful for communicators.  In this episode, we'll discuss how to craft a media advisory: What is the point of writing an advisory and how to...

What happens when self-help influencers can't seem to help themselves?  In the spring of 2020, Rachel Hollis announced her divorce from her husband of 14 years, Dave Hollis. Neither Hollis has yet to recover from the PR fallout triggered by that announcement.  From a viral bikini photo to a failed book tour that led to a two-hour manic rant, what transpired from a business and PR perspective...

When a brand is dealing with a crisis of their own making, one aspect of the response must be absolute - the apology.  An apology that is heartfelt can quickly reduce a crisis, while an apology that is unclear and half-hearted can create an entirely new one.  This week we examine two recent apologies from Whoopi Goldberg and Joe Rogan for actions that caused ABC News and Spotify executives to issu...