The Crisis Beat

Brady Wood

Listen up, corporate North America! A crisis is the win-or-lose moment for every business, where one misstep can undo decades of goodwill. Where one wrong statement can end relationships and revenue. The Crisis Beat Podcast is an exploration of the dynamic world of corporate crisis communications. Join us as we explore the corporate wins and losses in this arena, and dig deep into the best practices, tools, tactics, and tricks that business leaders need to know. Join hosts Dr. Mark Crowther and Mr. Brady Wood as they dive into recent news making events, discussing what's done well and what's done terribly bad as corporate leaders in crisis face the world. Dr. Mark Crowther is Chair of Medicine at McMaster University. Mr. Brady Wood is a consultant, business owner, and public relations professional. Together they work ...The Crisis Beat! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 2025-06-03

    EPISODE 31: Trust and Grievance

    Episode 31: Trust and Grievance  Crisis Beat Podcast – March 23, 2025 Hosts: Brady Wood & Dr. Mark Crowther In this episode, PR strategist Brady Wood and Dr. Mark Crowther, Chair of Medicine at McMaster University, unpack the headline findings from the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer—a report that reveals a deepening global “crisis of grievance.” Main Event: The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer – A Global Crisis of Grievance Now in its 25th year, Edelman’s annual trust survey captures growing public disillusionment with governments, businesses, media, and NGOs. The 2025 edition shines a light on rising resentment and mistrust worldwide, calling for leadership that’s more transparent, accountable, and socially attuned. News & Updates – Here’s What’s New in the News:     •    Pyramid Secrets? A controversial new study claims SAR radar has identified a vast underground complex beneath the Pyramids of Giza.     •    Meghan Markle: With Love, Meghan gets renewed by Netflix, despite mixed critical reviews.     •    Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: Blake Lively moves to dismiss Baldoni’s $400M defamation suit, calling it retaliatory. The case escalates, now drawing attention after a pointed joke from Ryan Reynolds at the SNL 50th Anniversary. Tune in as Brady and Mark connect the dots between global trust dynamics, high-profile lawsuits, and mysterious underground discoveries. Catch the full episode—wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
  2. 2025-03-05

    EPISODE 29: Wildfire PR

    Episode 29: LA Wildfires Crisis – Crisis Beat Podcast – January 26, 2025 Hosts: Brady Wood (PR Pro and Business Owner) & Dr. Mark Crowther (Chair of Medicine, McMaster) News & Updates Here’s what’s new in the news! Rebranding Fossils from ChinaJustin Baldoni/Blake LivelySam AltmanDrake's Defamation LawsuitRoger TelecomMegan & HarryMain Event: Case Study – LA Wildfires Crisis The Wildfires Erupt: On January 7, 2025, the Palisades Fire broke out, followed by the Eaton Fire. Los Angeles residents faced immense danger as these fires spread quickly. Key Events: Mayor Karen Bass’s Absence: Bass was in Ghana on a diplomatic trip when the fires began, sparking criticism from her political opponents, including Rick Caruso.Governor Gavin Newsom’s Response: Newsom declared a state of emergency on January 7 and worked with federal agencies to secure resources. However, his handling of water resources during the fires came under fire.Trump’s Visit: Former President Donald Trump toured the damage and criticized Newsom’s management of the crisis. He made several controversial claims, including misstatements about forest management, water shortages, and fire hydrant issues.Crisis Communications Insights: Transparency: Leaders need to clarify the causes of the crisis and the steps being taken to resolve it. In this case, better communication from both Bass and Newsom could have alleviated much of the public confusion.Empathy & Engagement: Acknowledging the hardship faced by affected communities and engaging directly with the public is essential to maintaining trust.Consistency & Clarity: Mixed messages, particularly those from Trump, fueled confusion. A unified and consistent approach is critical in a crisis like this.Leadership Responses Mayor Karen Bass: Emphasized her focus on saving lives and homes upon her return to the city.Governor Gavin Newsom: Declared a state of emergency, but faced backlash for budget cuts to wildfire management.Donald Trump: Criticized Newsom’s handling of the crisis while offering his own controversial solutions.Key Takeaways Crisis Communication is Crucial: In crises like wildfires, effective communication can mean the difference between success and failure in managing public perception.Managing Misinformation: During disasters, misinformation spreads quickly. Leaders must respond swiftly to clarify facts and keep the public informed.The Importance of Preparedness: Leaders must be proactive, prepared with crisis communication plans, and responsive to public concerns.Catch the full episode for a deep dive into the LA wildfire crisis, the PR challenges faced by officials, and the lessons learned from this unfolding disaster! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  3. 2025-02-08

    EPISODE 27: Jaguar Rebrand

    Episode 27: Jaguar’s Rebrand Crisis – Crisis Beat Podcast – December 15, 2024 Hosts: Brady Wood (PR Pro and Business Owner) & Dr. Mark Crowther (Chair of Medicine, McMaster) News & Updates Here’s what’s new in the news! Boeing: The company is slowly restarting production after a labor strike, with no major PR disasters in the last few weeks, but still facing challenges.Royal Family: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have decided to scale back on joint appearances, sparking rumors about their relationship.Jay-Z & Diddy: Jay-Z strongly denies recent allegations involving a 13-year-old, describing them as a "blackmail attempt" and expressing the emotional toll on his family.Meta Data Breach: On December 3, 2024, Meta suffered a data breach, exposing the personal data of millions, leading to criticism and legal challenges.Amazon Labor Strike: On December 5, 2024, thousands of Amazon warehouse workers went on strike over poor working conditions and low wages, disrupting the company during the holiday season.PharmaCorp Scandal: A major pharmaceutical company, PharmaCorp, falsified clinical trial data, causing a massive recall and a drop in stock prices. Main Event: Case Study - Jaguar’s Rebrand Crisis Jaguar’s controversial rebrand and the PR challenges it faces: Timeline of Events 1922: Williams Lyons founded the Swallow Sidecar Company, which eventually became Jaguar.1945: The company changed its name from SS Cars to Jaguar Cars.2008: Jaguar was acquired by Tata Motors, which merged it with Land Rover.2021: Jaguar announced plans to transition to fully electric vehicles by 2025.November 2024: Jaguar launched a new brand identity, moving towards ultra-luxury electric vehicles, focusing on diversity and inclusion.Crisis Communications Insights Transparency: Jaguar needs to explain the reasons behind the rebrand and its vision for the future.Empathy & Engagement: Addressing criticism constructively and engaging meaningfully with customers will help rebuild trust.Consistency: Consistent messaging across all platforms is key to aligning with customer expectations while staying true to the brand's new direction.Leadership Responses Rawdon Glover (Managing Director)Gerry McGovern (Creative Director)Key Takeaways Reputation Matters: Jaguar’s struggles demonstrate how important it is to maintain clarity about your brand’s identity, especially when pivoting in a new direction.Handling Backlash: Brands need to approach rebrands thoughtfully, being mindful of their history while adapting to modern trends.Customer-Centric Approach: Listening to customer feedback and engaging with them meaningfully can help mitigate negative reactions to controversial moves. Catch the full episode for a deeper dive into Jaguar’s rebrand, the crisis management strategies involved, and the lessons that can be learned from the pushback they’ve faced! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min
  4. 2025-01-18

    EPISODE 26: Boeing Nowhere Fast

    Episode 26: Boeing Nowhere Fast- Crisis Beat Podcast – November 17, 2024 Hosts: Brady Wood (PR Pro and Business Owner) & Dr. Mark Crowther (Chair of Medicine, McMaster) News & Updates Here’s what’s new This episode opens with a quick update on ongoing stories: Donald Trump’s Teflon Nature: A brief election update on Trump’s resilience in the face of scandals.Cool Study on Crisis Perception: A study debunking the idea that we’re living in more dangerous times, despite widespread media coverage of crises.U.S. vs. Canadian Crime Rates: Despite media perceptions, both the U.S. and Canada have seen significant declines in crime rates over the past 30 years. Main Event: Case Study - Boeing’s Crisis Management A deep dive into Boeing's ongoing struggles, from safety and production issues to leadership changes: Timeline of Crises: Lion Air Flight 610 (October 29, 2018)Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 (March 10, 2019)Global Grounding of 737 Max (March 2019)Renewed Grounding in 2024Financial Losses (April 2024) Impact on Boeing: Erosion of Trust & Reputation Damage: The crashes and the company’s delayed responses damaged public trust. Boeing has faced criticism for not being more transparent and empathetic during the crises.Financial Fallout: The company’s financial performance remains poor, with large losses attributed to labor strikes, production delays, and quality issues. Trust has dropped significantly, impacting both market value and reputation.Ongoing Scrutiny: Regulatory bodies like the FAA continue to scrutinize Boeing’s practices, especially concerning its 737 MAX and new aircraft certifications. Key Takeaways: Reputation Matters: Boeing’s crisis management strategies, especially in response to the 737 MAX disaster, have shown how crucial it is to act with transparency and empathy during crises.Ongoing Challenges: Despite efforts to improve, Boeing still faces significant challenges in restoring its reputation and stabilizing its financial health.Leadership Impact: The new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has a monumental task ahead in navigating these crises and rebuilding trust with both employees and customers. Catch the full episode for more insights into Boeing’s struggles, leadership transitions, and lessons in crisis management! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
  5. 2024-12-11

    EPISODE 25: Data Drama

    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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Listen up, corporate North America! A crisis is the win-or-lose moment for every business, where one misstep can undo decades of goodwill. Where one wrong statement can end relationships and revenue. The Crisis Beat Podcast is an exploration of the dynamic world of corporate crisis communications. Join us as we explore the corporate wins and losses in this arena, and dig deep into the best practices, tools, tactics, and tricks that business leaders need to know. Join hosts Dr. Mark Crowther and Mr. Brady Wood as they dive into recent news making events, discussing what's done well and what's done terribly bad as corporate leaders in crisis face the world. Dr. Mark Crowther is Chair of Medicine at McMaster University. Mr. Brady Wood is a consultant, business owner, and public relations professional. Together they work ...The Crisis Beat! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.