The Crisis Beat – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Episode 25: The Crisis Beat Podcast – October 20, 2024

Hosts Brady Wood (business owner and PR pro) and Dr. Mark Crowther (Chair of Medicine at McMaster) are back to tackle the hot topic of cybersecurity and privacy. This episode dives into recent cyberattacks and the lessons we can learn from them.

News & Updates

Here’s what’s buzzing:

•Trump Assassination Attempt – An update on this shocking news.

•NASA Starliner – What’s the latest with this space project?

•Boeing’s Financial Woes – A rough patch for the aerospace giant.

•William Osler Hospital Incident – Apology issued after a Sikh man’s beard was shaved without consent.

•Pierre Poilievre & CTV – Another political moment worth noting.

Main Event: Cyberattack Case Studies

It’s been a wild month in the world of cybersecurity with some jaw-dropping breaches:

•Snowflake Breach

•Hacked by UNC5537; customer data, including Ticketmaster and Santander, exposed.

•CEO Frank Slootman is working with Mandiant to clean up the mess.

•Ticketmaster Breach

•A massive 560 million records leaked (linked to Snowflake).

•CEO Michael Rapino stepped up with credit monitoring for affected customers.

•AT&T Data Breach

•73 million customers’ details stolen.

•CEO John Stankey offered identity theft protection and reassured customers.

•CDK Global Ransomware Attack

•Thousands of car dealerships impacted.

•CEO Brian Krzanich focused on client communication and getting systems back online.

•Ascension Health System Ransomware Attack

•Emergency care disrupted at hospitals.

•CEO Joseph Impicciche prioritized patient safety while coordinating the response.

Leadership Lessons from the Breaches

Who handled these crises best? The hosts break it down:

•Snowflake: Frank Slootman went all-in on transparency.

•Ticketmaster: Michael Rapino led with quick action and customer care.

•AT&T: John Stankey stayed open and communicative.

•CDK Global: Brian Krzanich kept clients informed.

•Ascension Health: Joseph Impicciche focused on protecting patients.

Standout Star: Michael Rapino of Ticketmaster. His proactive crisis management and genuine focus on customers earned him top marks.

Key Takeaways

•Prevention is ideal, but how you respond to a breach can make or break your reputation.

•Strong communication and putting people first (customers, clients, patients) are what set leaders apart during a crisis.

Catch the full episode for all the details and insights!

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In this Episode, Brady and Mark we review the book All The Worst Humans by Phil Elwood, in which he tells the raunchy tales of his incredible journey doing PR for some very unsavoury characters.

Other updates in this Episode include: 

• Wells Fargo employee who died at work and wasn’t found for several days 
• San Francisco hospital where a patient went missing in 2013 and was found dead in a stairwell 
• An update on Drake’s reputation recovery efforts via recent New Yorker article ‘How Drake Lost the Plot’ 
• Kim Dotcom found liable to be extradited to the US 
• Premier of Ontario Canada Doug Ford made an off-colour joke of using the resources of a new animal hospital to help with wait times for humans in Ontario’s health system 

Other topics:

• What ‘Meh’ means 
• Bruce Springsteen 
• Doppelgangers 
• New Yorker article by Joshua Rothman on “Info-Determinism,” echo chambers, radicalization and ideology 
• The Crusades 
• Comedian Shane Gillis and Fox News 

Words of the day: Meh, Determinism 

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Meta - the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp - led by Mark Zuckerberg, is in the news for the wrong reasons, specifically the alleged exploitation of children. 

Mark Zuckerberg recently presented at a US Senate hearing and was forced into an awkward apology by leaders of the the committee, following testimony on harms caused by social media. A New York Times Article also highlighted exploitation faced by children influencers on Instagram: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/22/us/instagram-child-influencers.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

This episode, Mark and Brady dissect these moments as well as related media coverage and issues. 

Other News this week: 

• Conestoga College - John Tibbits, called Sioux College President a whore and made comments about international students; the issue of funding related to international students 
• Funny Beaverton satire article about Rogers Communications; discussion of duopoly of Bell and Rogers in Canada https://www.thebeaverton.com/2021/02/rogers-cant-fucking-believe-theyre-the-less-evil-telecom-giant/
• In news about the Airlines, Air Canada was lambasted in the House of Commons for poor Accessibility outcomes, and Alaska Airlines handled an in-air mishap quite well, and offered insight on a communications best practice for drumming up good news stories 

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Crisis Beat Podcast Episode 14: "Year In Review - Career Killing Flubs"

Date: January 7, 2023

Hosts: Brady Wood and Dr. Mark Crowther

Main Topic:

Celebrity Downfalls - Case Studies in Apologetics:

Our main topic revolves around a detailed discussion inspired by a New York Post article highlighting celebrities whose careers took significant hits in 2023.

https://nypost.com/2023/12/27/entertainment/celebrities-whose-careers-imploded-in-2023-jonathan-majors-more/

Harvard President's Resignation:

The episode takes a turn to academia with the resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay. This segment delves into the complexities of her departure, initiated by a plagiarism scandal and exacerbated by her handling of sensitive campus issues. Gay's resignation prompts a broader discussion on the interplay between legal counsel and leadership decisions in times of crisis. 

Read this highly recommended Forbes article.

Other Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

A Contrast in Leadership - Columbia's President:

In juxtaposition to Harvard's leadership crisis, we discuss how Columbia University's president adeptly managed a potential crisis.

The Epstein Controversy:

While not the focus of our episode due to time constraints, the ongoing revelations surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and his connections to high-profile individuals continue to cast a long shadow, emphasizing the enduring impact of his case on public perception and trust.

Safety in the Skies - Aircraft Incidents:

The episode also touches on notable safety concerns in the aviation industry, including a critical incident involving a Boeing 737-900.

Other Dimensions:

Mark and Brady also continue their digressions about the English language.

WORD OF THE DAY: effluvium https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effluvium

RUNNER UP: detritus

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In this Episode, Mark and Brady explore the recent events concerning University Presidents appearing before Congress and failing to say clearly that calling for the genocide of Jewish people would be harassment on campus.

A few weeks ago, Presidents of esteemed universities Harvard, Penn State, and MIT appeared before a committee of US Congress to answer to lawmakers about a rise in antisemitic events on campuses. When asked directly whether calls for the genocide of the Jewish people constituted a violation of the code of conduct or constituted harassment, all 3 Presidents failed to say unequivocally that this was a violation of their schools' rules.

* Since we recorded this Episode, Claudine Gay of Harvard has resigned her post, something we will pick up in the next Episode.

In this Episode explore some of the fallout of these events, as well as other topics including:

- Telsa recalls, compared to other recalls by Ford and Toyota

- President Zelensky of Ukraine and his handling of their country's communications

- 'Leave the World Behind,' a dystopic near-future film on Netflix produced by the Obamas

- Open AI's recent communications since restoring Sam Altman to the CEO role

Brought to you by words of the day 'equivocate' and 'invigilate'...

Some links:

Tesla recalls nearly 2M vehicles https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/13/tech/tesla-recall-autopilot/index.html

Elon Musk says DEI initiatives must die https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2023/12/15/elon-musk-says-dei-must-die-and-criticizes-diversity-schemes-as-discrimination/?sh=113d74464e71

OPENAI - Sam Altman returned to CEO, Board Implications

https://gizmodo.com/openai-s-new-board-members-are-now-the-boss-of-sam-altm-1851109038

University Presidents Under Fire https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/12/25/university-presidents-under-fire

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/20/us/harvard-claudine-gay-plagiarism.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/21/opinion/harvard-claudine-gay.html?partner=slack&smid=sl-share

https://nypost.com/2023/12/21/news/billionaire-len-blavatnik-yanks-donations-to-harvard/

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Hey now, Happy Holidays, dear listeners!

Here's a quick summary of Episode 12:

In this episode, Mark and Brady explore the recent crisis involving Elon Musk, a well-known figure due to his leadership in companies like SpaceX, Tesla, and others. The backdrop of this crisis is the global tension following the events of October 7 between Hamas and Israel.

Inciting Incident: The controversy began with Musk's response on his social media platform, X.com, to a post discussing antisemitism in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Musk agreed with a comment that echoed the 'great replacement' theory, a concept linked to white supremacist ideology.

Advertiser Reaction and Consequences: Musk's comments led to a significant advertiser withdrawal from X.com, including major companies like Warner Bros. Discovery and Apple. This exodus poses a severe financial and reputational risk to the platform.

Musk's Response to Backlash: Musk reacted confrontationally, threatening legal action against critics and deviating from typical crisis management strategies, which usually involve conciliatory measures.

Public and Industry Response: The response from the public and industry has been largely critical. Calls for Musk's resignation and disappointment from investors signify a shift in perception of Musk's personal brand.

Recent Developments: Musk's comments at The Times's DealBook Summit further escalated the situation. His dismissive response to advertisers' concerns exacerbated the crisis, leading to increased reputational risks for X.com. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo's decision to leave the platform and label it a 'Global Sewer' highlights the growing backlash.

Discussion Points covered by Mark and Brady:

• - The impact of a CEO's personal conduct on their company's reputation and operations.
• - Best practices for handling rapidly evolving online crises.
• - The role of empathy and cultural sensitivity in crisis response, especially in ethically charged situations like antisemitism.
• - Balancing swift crisis responses with comprehensive, well-thought-out statements.
• - Long-term strategies for rebuilding trust and repairing stakeholder relationships post-crisis.

Key Takeaways:

• - The importance of initial responses in crisis communications.
• - The need for clarity, empathy, apology, and action in crisis management.
• - The role of positive leader reputation in crisis outcome and company bottom line.
• - The challenges posed by digital media in crisis escalation and management.
• - The significant impact of a leader's personal brand on their company.

This episode not only dissects the ongoing crisis around Musk but also provides broader insights into effective crisis communication strategies, emphasizing the interplay between personal conduct, public perception, and corporate responsibility.

Also discussed: Sam Altman/OpenAI Board and Leadership Updates, Kate Middleton and King Charles being revealed as 'the Royal Racists' mentioned in Prince Harry's memoir, and new missteps by airlines.

With word of the day 'Melofluous,' and runner-up 'Bollard.'

Don't forget to subscribe!

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In this Episode, Brady and Mark examine the consequences of public missteps by important leaders.

President Biden made a potentially major diplomatic flub by answering a journalist's question in the affirmative when asked if China's President Xi Jinping was a dictator. Elon Musk also made a controversial move on X.com where what he wrote was perceived as antisemitic, Substantial fallout ensued in both cases, with important learnings from both these multi-dimensional case studies. Both cases are analyzed through the lens of crisis communications, focusing on the impact on Musk's businesses and the potential long-term effects on his public image and industry dominance, and also the potential ramifications for diplomacy of President Biden's flub.

Books discussed include: Walter Isaacson's biography 'Elon Musk', Arnold Schwarzenegger 'Be Useful' and his ecosystem of subscription self-help and bodybuilding advice called ‘Arnold's Pump Club.'

Other matters discussed include:

- Sam Altman's firing at OpenAI the creators of ChatGPT

- Elon Musk Space X Starship launch

- Air Canada's approach to failures related to disabled persons

- Recent business and personal dealings of Prince Harry and Megan Markle

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In this Episode, recorded early August, Brady and Mark take up the interesting case of the (predictable?) backlash Bud Light faced following a campaign involving a controversial influencer who identifies as transgender.

Also discussed:

Mark's trip to Reykjavik Iceland during a volcanic event.

The impact of banning Incandescent lightbulbs.

The fashion brand Shein's terribly transparent exploitation of influencer naivete to try to bolster the reputation of their potentially sweat-shop-like factories.

Some colourful updates on Megan Markle and Prince Harry.

An update on Nicola Sturgeon's alleged criminal case and the impact on Scottish independence.

...and an update on the ongoing saga of Elon musk, including his control over a large satellite communications network, and his renaming of twitter to X.

Here are related articles on Bud Light:

SUMMARY

https://www.nytimes.com/article/bud-light-boycott.html

https://www.vox.com/money/2023/4/12/23680135/bud-light-boycott-dylan-mulvaney-travis-tritt-trans

DYLAN MULVANEY'S TAKE

https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/4074264-dylan-mulvaney-bud-light-not-standing-by-me-worse-than-not-hiring-a-trans-person-at-all/

MODELO becomes #1 BEER IN US

https://www.economist.com/business/2023/06/20/the-new-king-of-beers-is-a-mexican-american-success-story

GOOD ARTICLES ON $ IMPACT

https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/bud-light-parent-says-u-s-market-share-stabilizing-after-transgender-promotion-cost-sales-1.6505062

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bud-light-anheuser-busch-dylan-mulvaney-beer-sales/

https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/03/business/anheuser-busch-revenue-bud-light-intl-hnk/index.html

GOOD OVERALL SUMMARY

https://www.them.us/story/dylan-mulvaney-bud-light-drama-explained

Here are updates on the other issues discussed:

INCANDESCENT LIGHTBULBS

https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/01/business/incandescent-light-bulb-ban/index.html

SHEIN AND INFLUENCERS

https://passionfru.it/richest-twitch-streamers-2936/

PRINCE HARRY / MEGAN MARKLE UPDATE

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/07/31/prince-harry-talkin-trauma

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/us-celebrity-news/prince-harry-meghan-markle-urged-30540243

NICOLE STURGEON UPDATE

https://www.politico.eu/article/scottish-national-party-lose-half-seats-labour-2024-poll/

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EPISODE 9: RETRACTION ACTION

Join hosts Mark and Brady in Episode 9 of our podcast as they delve into the intriguing world of scientific retraction and academic fraud. The discussion begins with a recent incident involving a reprint of a Lancet article on 'long Covid,' which serves as a launchpad to explore famous cases of academic reprinting and fraud. The team also addresses the potential threats these instances pose to public confidence in science.

In this specific case, a crucial article defining long Covid faced data issues, leading to its retraction and republication by the esteemed journal Lancet. The authors displayed integrity by promptly notifying the editors and collaboratively working with the journal to clarify the situation in a unique manner.

References:

1. Retracted Lancet Article on Long Covid: [Link](https://retractionwatch.com/2023/06/13/highly-cited-lancet-long-covid-study-retracted-and-republished/)

The hosts go on to discuss three infamous cases of academic fraud, starting with Diederik Stapel, a Dutch social psychologist, who fabricated studies to cater to popular beliefs about human nature.

2. Diederik Stapel's Academic Fraud: [Link](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/28/magazine/diederik-stapels-audacious-academic-fraud.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare)

The conversation then shifts to Jonathan Pruitt, a spider biologist at McMaster University, who falsified data, noteworthy as both Mark and Brady are faculty members at the same institution. #Spidergate

3. Jonathan Pruitt's Data Fabrication: [Link](https://www.science.org/content/article/university-investigation-found-prominent-spider-biologist-fabricated-falsified-data)

Lastly, the podcast touches upon Dr. Hwang Woo Suk, a disgraced stem cell scientist, who manipulated data in his research.

4. Dr. Hwang Woo Suk's Stem Cell Fraud: [Link](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/12/science/south-korea-scientist-contrite-for-stem-cell-fraud.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare)

Amidst these intriguing discussions, the hosts also explore Hanlon's Razor, Gray's Corollary, and cognitive distortions, adding depth to the conversation.

ALSO: Duke Settles Doctored Data Lawsuit for $112.5 Million

[Link] (https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/910871?form=fpf)

AND:

Bonus: Crisis Beat co-host Mark Crowther's academic biography: [Link] (https://g.co/kgs/8HK69Q)

The episode then takes a wider perspective, delving into various news items with significant implications. They touch upon Canadian wildfires and the questioning of communication by Canadian officials, which affected air quality in New York City and the US.

5. Canadian Wildfires and Air Quality Impact: [Link](https://www.nytimes.com/article/canada-wildfires-what-to-know.html)

Next, they discuss the Nicola Sturgeon scandal, wherein the former leader of the Scottish Nationalist party (SNP) retracted from the public eye. Subsequently, both she and her husband were arrested for financial irregularities in SNP money management, raising questions about their communications approach and potential outcomes and its impact on Scottish independence.

6. Nicola Sturgeon Scandal: [Link](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-65871857)

Shifting gears, the hosts analyze recent developments surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan, including court testimony, the cancellation of their Spotify deal, and its implications on their brand and ambitions.

7. Prince Harry and Meghan's Recent Communications: [Link1](https://www.economist.com/britain/2023/06/07/prince-harry-complains-again-this-time-in-court) [Link2](https://nypost.com/2023/06/18/meghan-markle-appears-downcast-in-first-sighting-since-spotify-split/)

Finally, the hosts recommend watching the 'Arnold' 3-part documentary on Netflix, which showcases a crisis communications example involving Arnold Schwarzenegger during his run for Governor amid allegations of inappropriate sexualized behavior. They reflect on takeaways and best practices from apparent successful management of the situation.

8. Arnold Schwarzenegger Crisis Communications Example: [Link](https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/81317673)

As a bonus, the podcast features sidebar discussions on warfarin and heart valve surgery factoids and the differences between mechanical and xenogeneic (pig) heart valve transplants.

Tune in to Episode 9: Retraction Action for a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of these riveting topics.

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In this episode, Brady and Mark explore the unique challenges and opportunities that COVID-19 has presented for public health communications following the World Health Organization's May 5th 2023 announcement that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency.

As the pandemic continues to impact communities around the world, effective situational crisis communications have never been more important. From providing clear and accurate information to demonstrating empathy and understanding, public health agencies and governments have faced a range of communication challenges in responding to the pandemic.

Looking at the crisis communications best practices that have been particularly relevant and effective in COVID-19 public health communications, we delve into topics such as transparency, consistency, empathy, two-way communication, flexibility, and collaboration, and examine real-world examples of how these practices have been applied in different contexts. Could Public Health Agencies done more to show evidence, convince the public and counter false claims about vaccines? What structural changes to media, to the flow of information, even to the WHO would be required to increase efficacy and trust?

Other topics covered this episode include:

Tucker Carlson's termination from Fox News (and Don Lemon's from CNN)

The Coronation of King Charles, and a continuation of our ongoing discussions about the Royal Family's communications in the wake of Prince Harry and Megan Markle's ‘revelations'.

Articles:

WHO Announces COVID Emergency over:

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/who-says-covid-emergency-is-over-so-what-does-that-mean-1.6386061#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20has,represents%20a%20global%20health%20emergency

Ontario context:

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-doug-fords-handling-of-the-pandemic-draws-praise-from-friends-and/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/public-health-ontario-new-science-advisory-table-1.6570146

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