The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

 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...

The news of Jeff Zucker resigning as the president of CNN after admitting not disclosing a romantic relationship with another senior executive at the network was certainly a bombshell. It was also a story with similarities to many of the crises we hear about that land on the front page.  This episode features an interesting element about Zucker's departure that points to a significant shift i...

There's no question that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are important topics for communicators to share on behalf of their companies. But where do you start?  In this episode we help you get started with your DEI communications. We will define what DEI means, cover some basics on how to get started and the benefits when you do.    Mentioned in this episode:  Join Indestructible Online...

Do you use phrases you know are overwrought and overused? Many people do, according to Lake Superior State University in Suite St. Marie, Michigan.  The university has released their annual list of banished words as a way to uphold, protect and support excellence in language by encouraging avoidance of overused words that are ineffective or irritating for readers. Well said!  Mentioned in this epi...

Do you work for a brand, company or organization that has been attacked online?  Social media has made bullying easier than ever before. In this episode of the Indestructible PR Podcast, we’ll discuss how social media bullies attack brands online and how you can turn their attacks into a net positive for your brand. You will learn how the cyberbully attacks, why it is important to respond quickly...

Twitter can be a great way to connect with customers and show off your brand’s personality. But is it safe to be sarcastic?  There’s a thin line between being clever and sounding mean, and you don’t want your brand to cross it.  My guest, Dusty Weis from Podcamp Media - a branded podcast production company - joins me to discuss tips for having a snarky Twitter account without damaging your brand....

A public relations crisis and a public relations issue are two very different things.  Many in senior leadership are unaware of this distinction, preventing their communication teams from planning properly.   In this episode, we define a public relations crisis. To help plan for any event, issue, incident, or crisis, you need to know the differences between them.   Listen + Subscribe on Spotify or...

When a business faces a crisis, it can use a variety of crisis communication tactics, but changing its name may not be the best option. On today's episode, we'll examine if changing a business name will help if that name has become too much of a reputational liability. Plus, examples of successful company name changes following crises, as well as examples of where the name change may not...

Public relations campaigns can work wonders when it comes to generating awareness and interest in your business, but they can also be expensive without any guarantee of success.  Geofence advertising may offer an effective PR boost that’s more affordable than traditional forms of advertising. Jeff Swartz, the founder and CEO of Ethic Advertising Agency, shares how it works and why it could be the...

Actor, writer, and director Ben Affleck recently went on a promotion tour for his film The Tender Bar. One line from Affleck's over two-hour interview with Howard Stern went viral, causing even bigger problems for him and the filmmakers. To repair the damage caused by his comments regarding his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, Affleck must spend the rest of the publicity tour in damage control mode....

The key to managing a digital crisis is to unlock the cause of the crisis in the first place. Critical data and information can be found in conversations and traffic on social media and websites.  Zack Condry, President of Everest Communications, knows how to interpret this information and strategize how to use it to manage the situation. He specializes in developing and executing digital communic...

The story of Alec Baldwin in the aftermath of the tragic shooting death of Halyana Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust" is worth following if you follow public relations and crisis communication. From the first news stories from the Albequeque filmset to the "pop-up" press conference Baldwin held on a busy road in Vermont, we have been following Baldwin's media interacti...

The actor Jake Gyllenhall knows all too well that bad publicity may not be the best publicity when your name is trending because you broke up with a girlfriend more than ten years ago. Having this ex-girlfriend record a song about the breakup and then upload a 10-minute video to YouTube is the sort of negative publicity that will never disappear. Especially if the video has over 17 million views....

Media trainer Warren Weeks joined me in a webinar to discuss the top mistakes he sees many spokespeople make and how to fix them. Our episode discusses how to overcome these common media interview challenges straight from the webinar. Make sure you don't damage your reputation by saying the wrong thing during a nerve-wracking conversation that will likely live online for years to come.  Learn...