The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

www.mollymcpherson.com
  • 4.7 (185)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

Ever wonder what's really happening behind those viral headlines and celebrity PR disasters? Step into the war room with crisis communications expert Molly as she dissects the week's biggest reputation battles, media meltdowns, and brand controversies.Each week, Molly peels back the curtain on headline-making moments to reveal the strategic chess moves that shape public perception. From corporate crises to celebrity comebacks, she breaks down what works, what fails, and what it means for the future of reputation management.Whether you're a PR professional, business leader, or simply fascinated by the art of reputation management, join Molly every week for the conversation everyone in PR is talking about. Subscribe now to master the strategies shaping modern reputation—one breakdown at a time.

  1. 10H AGO

    Breaking Down the One Word Fueling This Week's Headlines

    In this episode, Molly McPherson takes you behind the scenes of crisis management, starting at SXSW. She reveals how this one single word came up in a week of speaking engagements. A word that can strip away layers of trust, ignite public outrage, and transform everyday moments into high-stakes dramas. Listen to real-world examples that reveal this word—from the controversial campaign to save a beloved local beaver to the corporate shakeup at Target over shifting DEI commitments. Tune in for ...

    21 min

  2. MAR 5

    Behind the Oscar Curtain: Scandals and Apologies

    The 2025 Academy Awards weren’t just about golden statues—they were a golden opportunity to survive a PR crisis. From a rumored affair between two co-stars, resurfaced blackface performances to the growing debate over artificial intelligence in filmmaking, this year’s Oscars put the industry’s ethical dilemmas front and center. How did major nominees handle the heat? Taking a closer look at how these Hollywood players navigated public backlash and owned—or avoided—their past decisions. ...

    24 min

  3. FEB 26

    The Secret Trigger Behind Every Crisis

    This is the only thing you have to fear in a crisis. Listen as crisis and reputation strategist Molly McPherson explains what is at the heart of every crisis. Recorded late on a Friday— moments after her meeting with a client in crisis— Molly checked out the national news headlines looking for a Friday news dump. She wanted to find the common theme between what she heard on that client call and what that headline story revealed. She found it. Learn what the secret trigger of every...

    17 min

  4. FEB 19

    The Invisible Machine Behind Celebrity Stories

    The Invisible Machine Behind Celebrity Stories Overview In this episode, Molly explores how celebrity stories are crafted and shaped behind the scenes, examining the key players and mechanisms that drive celebrity narratives in media. Case Studies Discussed Meghan Markle's Brand RelaunchTaylor Swift/Blake Lively SituationRyan Reynolds & Blake Lively Additional Resources Mentioned Vanity Fair article "American Hustle" (February 2025 edition)Previous episode (#299) on Taylor Swift distanc...

    38 min

  5. FEB 12

    Taylor Swift's PR Strategy: Distancing from Blake Lively

    In this episode of 'The PR Breakdown,' Molly delves into the intricate PR maneuvers and power plays behind the rift between Taylor Swift and Blake Lively. Taylor Swift reportedly feels used in the ongoing legal tussle between Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Justin Baldoni. The episode covers the strategic leak by Swift's team to distance her from the drama, involving lawsuits over defamation, sexual harassment, and privacy invasion. McPherson explains why timing and reputation management are...

    23 min

  6. FEB 5

    Analyzing Power Dynamics: Trump, Reynolds, and Jay-Z Under the PR Microscope

    Dissecting the public relations and power dynamics involving three high-profile men who were in the news recently: Donald Trump, Ryan Reynolds, and Jay-Z. Let's take an impartial but critical look at Trump's controversial handling of a tragic plane crash and his divisive politics, Ryan Reynolds' suspected staged paparazzi event amid legal drama with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, and Jay-Z's recent PR moves amidst serious legal troubles coinciding with Beyonce's Grammy win. The episod...

    37 min

  7. JAN 29

    From Voicemails to PR Moves: The Battle Between Lively, Baldoni, and Reynolds

    In this explosive episode, we delve into a Hollywood controversy grabbing headlines after a simple voicemail reignited the full-blown power struggle between Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, and Ryan Reynolds. Molly reveals how Reynolds' carefully crafted public image might be cracking under the pressure of mounting allegations and legal battles between his wife and Justin Baldoni. Listen to several key developments in this unfolding drama: Reynolds' strategic public appearances and speeches sugg...

    44 min

  8. JAN 22

    Takeaways from Trump's Inaugural Address: Key Highlights You Can't Miss

    In this episode of The PR Breakdown, diving into Donald Trump’s second inaugural address and breaking down the PR strategies, rhetorical moves, and media messages woven throughout. From the decision to move the ceremony indoors to Trump’s subdued, teleprompter-driven delivery, the address was a masterclass in image-conscious storytelling. He leaned heavily into his narrative as the avenging hero, divinely chosen to save America—rhetoric that fires up his base but leaves communicators with ple...

    27 min
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4.7
out of 5
185 Ratings

About

Ever wonder what's really happening behind those viral headlines and celebrity PR disasters? Step into the war room with crisis communications expert Molly as she dissects the week's biggest reputation battles, media meltdowns, and brand controversies.Each week, Molly peels back the curtain on headline-making moments to reveal the strategic chess moves that shape public perception. From corporate crises to celebrity comebacks, she breaks down what works, what fails, and what it means for the future of reputation management.Whether you're a PR professional, business leader, or simply fascinated by the art of reputation management, join Molly every week for the conversation everyone in PR is talking about. Subscribe now to master the strategies shaping modern reputation—one breakdown at a time.

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