The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson – Details, episodes & analysis

What happens when high-profile figures like RFK Jr., Sean Combs, and Muhammad Al-Fayed find themselves at the center of public scandals? This episode unpacks the unsettling truths behind RFK Jr.'s sexting affair with political reporter Olivia Nuzzi, exploring how his wife Cheryl Hines' glamorous appearance at Milan Fashion Week might be a strategic distraction. We delve into the ethical implications of such behavior and the vital role transparency and accountability play in maintaining public trust.

We also turn our attention to Muhammad Al-Fayed and the accusations of abuse linked to his time as the owner of Harrods. By drawing comparisons to notorious figures like Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein, we highlight the systemic abuse of power and the resultant legal and personal crises. Wrapping up, we provide essential lessons in reputation management, offering practical strategies to navigate similar PR challenges while stressing the importance of staying genuine and thoughtful. Whether you're in the PR industry or just intrigued by the complex lives of the powerful, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Mentioned in this episode:

• A statement from Harrods in relation to its former Chairman and owner Mohamed Al Fayed
• Molly on TikTok: Analysis of the Harrods' Statement Regarding Mohamed Al-Fayed

Join Molly on Patreon for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive live sessions!

Follow Molly for daily updates and more PR insights:

• TikTok: @mollybmcpherson
• Patreon: Patreon.com/mollymcpherson
• Connect with Molly: pillar.io/mollymcpherson

© 2024 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

In this episode of The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson, Kate Middleton’s health update video is more than just an announcement. It’s a masterclass in PR, packed with hidden symbolism and subtle storytelling designed to reshape the public perception of the royal family.

Uncover ten key meanings behind the visuals, from Kate in the driver’s seat to the color blue, and explore how Kate and William are distancing themselves from Harry and Meghan as they face ongoing branding challenges.

Mentioned in this episode:

• A Message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales | September 2024 (YouTube.com)
• Inside The Kate Middleton Crisis And The Silence At Kensington Palace (March 15, 2024, Molly McPherson, Forbes.com)
• Princess Kate Video Was A New Move In The Royal PR Game: Did It Work? (March 21, 2024, Molly McPherson, Forbes.com)
• Identifying the red flags usually spotted in a PR crisis. A royal case study. (tiktok.com/mollybmcpherson)
• A look at kill notices after it was reported that several major news agencies recalled a photo of Catherine, Princess of Wales, and her kids distributed by Kensington Palace for UK Mother's Day. (tiktok.com/mollybmcpherson)
• Princess Kate shared her cancer diagnosis and treatment in a moving video. It was a powerful lesson in courage and transparency about how to balance privacy with the public's need for privacy. Communication in tough times: what worked and what we learned. (tiktok.com/mollybmcpherson)

Join Molly on Patreon for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive live sessions!

Follow Molly for daily updates and more PR insights:

• TikTok: @mollybmcpherson
• Patreon: Patreon.com/mollymcpherson
• Connect with Molly: pillar.io/mollymcpherson

© 2024 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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.

Join Molly on Patreon for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive live sessions!

Follow Molly for daily updates and more PR insights:

• TikTok: @mollybmcpherson
• Patreon: Patreon.com/mollymcpherson
• Connect with Molly: pillar.io/mollymcpherson

© 2024 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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 relationship with the tech team, how to cover your bases with a rehearsal run-through, and what to put on the monitor at your feet. We talk about wardrobe faux pas, and how to choose an outfit that will make you feel comfortable while you look the part.

Key Points: 

•    A snippet from Molly’s introduction at a recent conference she spoke at. 

•    How she felt while the host was setting the stage for her to speak. 

•    What we will discuss during today’s conversation: public speaking tips nobody tells you about. 

•    Tip number one: listen to the tech people’s advice, but don’t let them run your presentation. 

•    Why she recommends having a backup deck with you in case of last minute changes. 

•    Tip number two: have a rehearsal run-through. 

•    Tip number three: don’t have bullets or anything you have to read on the monitor. 

•    Why it’s a great idea to have a buffer slide. 

•    Tip number four: don’t make your wardrobe a part of your talk. 

•    Tip number five: dress for the temperature. 

•    This week’s indestructible tip: have a person in the crowd who is going to manage your reputation. 

Tweetables: 

“You should have a backup deck with you. Sometimes in the transfer they could lose fonts, perhaps video, didn't make its way onto the deck, and you're going to have to make those last minute adjustments.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:06:10] 

“Wear a wardrobe or pick a wardrobe that has flexibility to it, that you feel comfortable in it and you won't have any malfunctions.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:19:50] 

“For every talk, it helps to have a person. What I mean by that is a person who's going to help manage your reputation.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:20:42] 

“What we want when you are speaking is someone who feels indestructible.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:22:20] 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Molly McPherson
Molly McPherson on LinkedIn
Molly McPherson on Twitter
SEMO Electric Cooperative CEO Sean Vanslyke 

Listen + Subscribe on Stitcher or Apple Podcasts

© Molly McPherson 2022 

Join Molly on Patreon for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive live sessions!

Follow Molly for daily updates and more PR insights:

• TikTok: @mollybmcpherson
• Patreon: Patreon.com/mollymcpherson
• Connect with Molly: pillar.io/mollymcpherson

© 2024 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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 climate and the role of social and digital media in the process of public response. One of the main questions that arise, especially through the lens of PR, is around the short- and long-term effects that this will have on both of the actors' careers. 

Tuning into this episode, you can expect a brief look at what actually happened, why it might have happened in the way that it did, what this will mean for those involved, and some thoughts on the best ways that the PR teams can help their clients respond. 

Key Points From This Episode: 

•    A quick replay and recap of the event in question on Oscar night. 

•    The different strengths of TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram for posting content. 

•    Some of the responses and comments online to Will Smith's actions. 

•    A clip of Will Smith's acceptance speech after winning the Best Actor Oscar. 

•    Thoughts on the effects of the incident on Chris Rock's career and reputation. 

•    What this means for Will Smith going forward for the rest of award season, and his career. 

•    Putting the event in the context of the last two years and the Black Lives Matter movement.  

•    The PR teams that will be helping both actors with their responses.  

•    A theory on Will Smith's mindset going into the award show and how this played out.  

•    Final thoughts on the aftermath of Oscar night for the two actors. 

•    Today's Indestructible PR Tip: the dangers of out-of-control emotions, and the importance of accountability. 

Tweetables: 

“There's certainly a lot of commentary about the Oscars. But what happened with Will Smith and Chris Rock, it doesn't even matter who won.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:08:23] 

“TikTok gives me the personal perspective. What are people saying? It's my water cooler social media network.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:06:02] 

“If you ever want to follow a crisis in real-time, I always tell people to go to Twitter.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:06:30] 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Indestructible 

Will Smith 

Chris Rock 

Jada Pinkett Smith 

Variety 

King Richard 

GMA 

Denzel Washington 

Tyler Perry

Listen + Subscribe on

Join Molly on Patreon for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive live sessions!

Follow Molly for daily updates and more PR insights:

• TikTok: @mollybmcpherson
• Patreon: Patreon.com/mollymcpherson
• Connect with Molly: pillar.io/mollymcpherson

© 2024 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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 the rules and guidelines for creating a Wikipedia page, as well as why many people are even eligible to have a Wikipedia page.

This week's episode: 

• Who are the people behind Wikipedia? 
• The wrong way to use Wikipedia
• Sourcing: How does it work?
• 
  

Listen + Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Join Molly on Patreon for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive live sessions!

Follow Molly for daily updates and more PR insights:

• TikTok: @mollybmcpherson
• Patreon: Patreon.com/mollymcpherson
• Connect with Molly: pillar.io/mollymcpherson

© 2024 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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 TikTok.

Listen + Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

© Molly McPherson 2022 

Join Molly on Patreon for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive live sessions!

Follow Molly for daily updates and more PR insights:

• TikTok: @mollybmcpherson
• Patreon: Patreon.com/mollymcpherson
• Connect with Molly: pillar.io/mollymcpherson

© 2024 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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 for anyone in battle.

Mention in the Episode

• Molly McPherson on TikTok @mollybmcp
• "I think I have found my favorite clip ever for media training." - @mollybmcp

Listen + Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

© Molly McPherson 2022 

Join Molly on Patreon for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive live sessions!

Follow Molly for daily updates and more PR insights:

• TikTok: @mollybmcpherson
• Patreon: Patreon.com/mollymcpherson
• Connect with Molly: pillar.io/mollymcpherson

© 2024 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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 right now. 

We know it's hard to stay positive watching, but that doesn't mean your business has to stop. In fact, we think it's more important than ever to keep delivering your message. People need hope, and you and your business can be the one to give it to them.

In this episode, how you can keep marketing during times of unrest. 

Listen + Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

© Molly McPherson 2022 

Join Molly on Patreon for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive live sessions!

Follow Molly for daily updates and more PR insights:

• TikTok: @mollybmcpherson
• Patreon: Patreon.com/mollymcpherson
• Connect with Molly: pillar.io/mollymcpherson

© 2024 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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 structure it. 

Listen + Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

© Molly McPherson 2022 

Join Molly on Patreon for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive live sessions!

Follow Molly for daily updates and more PR insights:

• TikTok: @mollybmcpherson
• Patreon: Patreon.com/mollymcpherson
• Connect with Molly: pillar.io/mollymcpherson

© 2024 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson