Communication Breakdown

OCR
  • 5.0 (10)
  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Communication Breakdown is a postgame show for PR pros. In each episode, hosts Craig Carroll (fmr. USC Annenberg, UNC Chapel Hill) and Steve Dowling (fmr. OpenAI, Apple) discuss the strategies and tactics companies are using in high-visibility crises and PR initiatives, giving listeners unique insight into how key decisions are made. The podcast offers two unique perspectives on communications theory and practice, drawing on Craig’s teaching and research at top universities around the globe and Steve’s two decades of experience as a comms leader at some of the world’s most influential companies.  Whether you're a PR professional, marketing executive, or just curious about how companies make key communications decisions, you'll find these discussions insightful and valuable.

  1. 1D AGO

    McMisfire

    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll analyze two very different communications moments playing out in public view. First, they examine a viral Instagram video featuring McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski promoting the company’s new Big Arch sandwich. What began as a routine executive social media post quickly became an internet authenticity test, raising questions about relatability, performance, and how quickly online audiences can reshape a corporate narrative. In the second segment, the hosts turn to Target’s new CEO Michael Fiddelke and his early efforts to rebuild trust after the company’s controversial retreat from diversity initiatives and subsequent customer backlash. They explore how leadership candor, investor messaging, and operational fixes may help stabilize the brand, while questioning whether deeper values-based concerns among consumers have truly been addressed. Together, the two stories offer a sharp look at how corporate leaders navigate credibility, perception, and public trust in an environment where every message, planned or accidental, can quickly become a reputational test. Takeaways Social media has become an authenticity test for executives. Once the internet frames a moment that way, every detail of a leader’s behavior is scrutinized.Consistency matters in executive communication. Kempczinski’s long-running burger review videos helped soften criticism because the format was not a one-off stunt.Viral moments can benefit brands when companies respond with agility and humor rather than defensiveness. Competitors joining the conversation helped diffuse the criticism. Topics Mentioned Executive social media, authenticity in leadership communication, viral brand moments, investor messaging, corporate reputation recovery, consumer boycotts, DEI backlash, trust versus confidence in stakeholder communication Companies Mentioned McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Target Episode Hashtags #McDonalds #BurgerKing #Wendys #Target #CorporateCommunications #PublicRelations #BrandReputation #LeadershipCommunication #ExecutiveMessaging #StakeholderTrust #CrisisCommunications #SocialMediaStrategy #CorporateLeadership #ReputationManagement #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwork Communication Breakdown is a production of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation. Hosted by Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling. Produced by Shawn P Neal and the team at AdvoCast. For questions, feedback, or episode suggestions, reach out at podcast@ocrnetwork.com

    30 min

  2. MAR 5

    Iran, Earnings, and … TACOs?

    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll break down two parallel realities corporate communicators now have to manage at once. First, they analyze how the White House communicated the opening days of a widening Middle East conflict, including a late-night recorded announcement, fragmented messaging, and a media environment that instantly swallows everything else. Then they return to the Trump administration’s legal pressure campaign against major law firms, and why “TACO” headlines can create false confidence for risk planning. Finally, Craig shares early findings from a major earnings-call analysis project across roughly 390 Fortune 500 transcripts, including who names Trump, who avoids naming anyone at all, and how executives strategically volunteer some topics while going silent on others. Takeaway Crisis communications credibility starts with format, a recorded midnight message signals improvisation, not command. Fragmented, one-on-one media access can create “distributed inconsistency,” where reporters unintentionally spread conflicting frames.Earnings calls show system-wide alignment posture, in Craig’s sample, only 21 of ~390 companies named Trump, and those that did tended to have something concrete to trade.Topics Mentioned Crisis communication, war messaging, attention economy, fragmented media, narrative control, flood the zone, wag the dog, legal risk strategy, regulatory rollouts, litigation strategy, corporate reputation, stakeholder trust, alignment posture, earnings call preparation, prepared remarks vs Q&A, topic avoidance, tariffs, recession framing, competitive pressure, executive visibility Companies Mentioned Bloomberg, CNN, Truth Social, Paul Weiss, Sussman Godfrey, Fortune 500, Coca-Cola, Intel, U.S. Steel  Episode Hashtags #CommunicationBreakdown #CorporateCommunications #PublicRelations #CrisisCommunication #ReputationManagement #CorporateReputation #StakeholderTrust #NarrativeControl #MediaStrategy #IssuesManagement #ExecutiveCommunications #LitigationRisk #RegulatoryRisk #EarningsCalls #EarningsCallTranscript #CFO #CEO #Tariffs #Recession #Bloomberg #CNN #TruthSocial #PaulWeiss #SussmanGodfrey #CocaCola #Intel #USSteel #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwork Communication Breakdown is a production of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation. Hosted by Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling. Produced by Shawn P Neal and the team at AdvoCast. For questions, feedback, or episode suggestions, reach out at podcast@ocrnetwork.com

    29 min

  3. FEB 26

    Tariff Turnabout, Milan Meltdown

    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll unpack the Supreme Court’s 6–3 ruling that last year’s emergency tariffs were illegally imposed, throwing $175 billion in collected duties into legal limbo. They explore what happens next as companies like FedEx and Costco line up for refunds, and why the real story is not about tariffs, but about litigation as a structural feature of today’s policy environment. Craig introduces a new framing, the “BURRITO” cycle to describe bold executive actions that are later invalidated through court orders. The episode closes in Milan, where an Olympic press conference misstep shows how quickly leadership composure can unravel when preparation breaks down. BURRITO: Bold Unilateral Regulatory Rollout Invalidated Through Orders TakeawaysLitigation is no longer a disruption to policy. It is a predictable phase companies must model in advance.In a volatile regulatory environment, narrative neutrality and fiduciary framing matter more than political positioning.Refunds are not just financial events. They disrupt supply chains, pricing models, accounting treatment, and stakeholder expectations. Topics Mentioned Tariff policy, Supreme Court ruling, corporate litigation strategy, risk management, narrative neutrality, fiduciary responsibility, supply chain disruption, refund strategy, expectation setting, Olympic governance, crisis preparation, leadership composure Companies Mentioned Costco, Revlon, FedEx, Walmart, Harvard University, Steve Madden, International Olympic Committee, The New York Times Episode Hashtags #Costco #Revlon #FedEx #Walmart #HarvardUniversity #SteveMadden #InternationalOlympicCommittee #NewYorkTimes #Tariffs #SupremeCourt #CorporateCommunications #PublicRelations #CrisisManagement #ReputationStrategy #Leadership #Governance #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwork Communication Breakdown is a production of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation. Hosted by Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling. Produced by Shawn P Neal and the team at AdvoCast. For questions, feedback, or episode suggestions, reach out at podcast@ocrnetwork.com

    23 min

  4. FEB 20

    Silence & Subpoenas

    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll examine a Bloomberg column arguing that America’s most powerful CEOs have gone conspicuously quiet in the Trump era. They unpack the idea of a “corporate state of exception,” exploring when public outrage becomes so intense that silence carries greater reputational risk than speaking out. From the Business Roundtable’s stakeholder pledge to looming Democratic congressional oversight, the hosts connect CEO restraint, political alignment, and future subpoenas into one coherent warning: narrative drift today becomes document discovery tomorrow. For communications leaders, the episode is a reminder that silence is never neutral, and coherence under scrutiny is the new credibility test. Gift Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-16/american-companies-under-trump-no-longer-have-to-be-good-corporate-citizens Takeaways CEO silence is rarely ideological neutrality; it often reflects perceived regulatory or political constraint.A “state of exception” emerges when public outrage becomes so broad that companies must speak to protect reputation.Silence does not erase risk; over time, it becomes part of the public record and can be interpreted as preference.. Topics Mentioned CEO silence, stakeholder capitalism, Business Roundtable, Trump administration, immigration policy, ICE backlash, congressional oversight, subpoena risk, narrative coherence, alignment signaling, ESG and DEI retreat, reputational restraint, proxy wars, institutional trust Companies Mentioned Business Roundtable, Amazon, Ring, Disney, Hulu, ABC Episode Hashtags #BusinessRoundtable #Amazon #Ring #Disney #Hulu #ABC #CorporateCommunications #PublicRelations #ReputationManagement #StakeholderCapitalism #CongressionalOversight #CrisisManagement #ESG #DEI #TrumpAdministration #Leadership #Governance #NarrativeCoherence #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwork Communication Breakdown is a production of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation. Hosted by Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling. Produced by Shawn P Neal and the team at AdvoCast. For questions, feedback, or episode suggestions, reach out at podcast@ocrnetwork.com

    29 min

  5. FEB 12

    The Outspoken Olympians

    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll examine three threads that dominated the week: U.S. Olympic athletes speaking on America while competing in Milan, the privacy backlash to Ring’s Super Bowl ad, and the manufactured outrage around Bad Bunny’s halftime performance. The hosts contrast the athletes’ coherent, values-based messaging with corporate leaders who struggle to sound human while protecting institutional risk. They also show how amplification does not always equal consequence, and why companies must measure impact, not noise. TakeawaysAthletes combined pride and principled critique, showing how clear personal framing lowers heat and preserves credibility.Institutional leaders face different constraints; they must sound human while protecting employees, investors, and regulatory exposure. Message discipline matters more than blunt moralizing.Media training and bridging worked: athletes moved narrow policy questions to civic principles, which neutralized accusations of being anti-American. Topics Mentioned Olympic athletes, free speech, patriotism, media training, message discipline, institutional stewardship, employee activism, Salesforce, Palantir, surveillance, Ring, Amazon, Flock Safety, privacy, Nest, Super Bowl advertising, halftime shows, Bad Bunny, counter-programming, Puppy Bowl, amplification versus impact, crisis communications, reputation management Companies Mentioned White House, NBC, US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Salesforce, Wired, Palantir, Ring, Amazon, 404 Media, We Rate Dogs, Flock Safety, ICE, Google Nest, Capgemini, Turning Point USA, Real Americas Voice, FCC, Cracker Barrel, Puppy Bowl, NFL, CBS Episode Hashtags #WhiteHouse #NBC #USOlympicCommittee #Salesforce #Wired #Palantir #Ring #Amazon #404Media #WeRateDogs #FlockSafety #ICE #GoogleNest #Capgemini #TurningPointUSA #RealAmericasVoice #FCC #CrackerBarrel #PuppyBowl #NFL #CBS #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwork Communication Breakdown is a production of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation. Hosted by Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling. Produced by Shawn P Neal and the team at AdvoCast. For questions, feedback, or episode suggestions, reach out at podcast@ocrnetwork.com

    28 min

  6. FEB 5

    The Reputation Super Bowl

    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll examine two very different reputation tests playing out on a global stage. First, they unpack why the NFL’s handling of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show insulated advertisers from culture-war fallout, and what that reveals about platform discipline, familiarity, and perceived risk. Then they turn to Europe, where French IT giant Capgemini moved swiftly to divest a U.S. subsidiary tied to ICE work, illustrating how values, governance, and pressure environments differ sharply across borders. The episode offers a clear look at when controversy creates noise versus when it creates obligations, and why speed and decisiveness still matter. TakeawaysReputational risk at the Super Bowl is shaped less by outrage and more by how the NFL frames decisions as settled and non-controversial.Advertisers are protected when audiences understand they do not control league or halftime decisions.Familiarity gaps often drive backlash more than politics, especially on shared cultural platforms. Topics Mentioned Super Bowl advertising, reputational risk, platform governance, cultural familiarity, advertiser insulation, category signaling, ICE backlash, European corporate governance, subsidiary risk, values versus legality Companies Mentioned NFL, Spotify, Capgemini, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Avelo Airlines, Palantir Episode Hashtags #NFL #Capgemini #Spotify #AveloAirlines #Palantir #SuperBowl #CorporateReputation #PublicRelations #CrisisManagement #CorporateGovernance #BrandRisk #StrategicCommunications #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwork Communication Breakdown is a production of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation. Hosted by Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling. Produced by Shawn P Neal and the team at AdvoCast. For questions, feedback, or episode suggestions, reach out at podcast@ocrnetwork.com

    31 min

  7. JAN 30

    Minnesota CEOs miss the mark

    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll return to the topic of Minnesota to examine how corporate leaders responded after the killing of protester Alex Preti during federal immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities. They unpack the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s joint letter signed by 60 CEOs, a statement widely criticized for saying little when clarity and accountability were urgently needed. The conversation contrasts that response with more direct messages from University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham and incoming Target CEO Michael Fidelke, exploring why empathy without action often fails in moments of public fear. The episode offers a sharp look at why strategic ambiguity breaks down in high-stakes crises and what effective leadership communication requires when safety, order, and trust are on the line. Takeaways Silence or vague statements after loss of life are read as distance or complicity, not neutrality.Strategic ambiguity fails when facts are clear and communities are experiencing fear.Leadership statements need at least one concrete, near-term action to move beyond posture.Empathy matters, but without operational clarity it does not restore confidence or stability.Topics Mentioned Crisis communication, strategic ambiguity, corporate silence, leadership messaging, accountability, empathy versus action, public safety, alignment signaling, corporate reputation Companies Mentioned 3M, Best Buy, Cargill, General Mills, Target, UnitedHealth Group Episode Hashtags #3M #BestBuy #Cargill #GeneralMills #Target #UnitedHealthGroup #CorporateCommunications #PublicRelations #CrisisManagement #Leadership #ReputationManagement #StrategicAmbiguity #CorporateSilence #Trust #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwor Communication Breakdown is a production of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation. Hosted by Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling. Produced by Shawn P Neal and the team at AdvoCast. For questions, feedback, or episode suggestions, reach out at podcast@ocrnetwork.com

    34 min

  8. JAN 23

    Davos TACO, “Idiots” Feud

    In this episode of Communication Breakdown, hosts Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll examine two very different European stages where reputation, power, and communication collide. First, they unpack Davos 2026 and what the World Economic Forum now reveals about the shifting burden placed on corporate affairs leaders, less about influence and more about absorbing ambiguity, political risk, and reputational spillover. Then they turn to a transatlantic spat between Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary and Elon Musk, using the clash to explore when public conflict reinforces a brand and when it backfires. Across both cases, the conversation probes a central question for communications leaders, what does visibility actually buy you when legitimacy, trust, and accountability are under strain. TakeawaysDavos now functions less as a decision-making forum and more as a sensing mechanism for elite psychology and reputational risk.The rising profile of corporate affairs leaders reflects load-bearing responsibility, not a clean transfer of power or influence.Off-the-record spaces increasingly serve as containment zones, processing political and reputational risk away from CEOs and boards.Topics Mentioned World Economic Forum, Davos, corporate affairs, elite psychology, trust and legitimacy, political risk, off-the-record communications, reputational insulation, social media amplification, CEO behavior, brand alignment, outrage economics Companies Mentioned World Economic Forum, Ryanair, SpaceX, Starlink, X, BlackRock Episode Hashtags #WorldEconomicForum #Davos #Ryanair #SpaceX #Starlink #X #BlackRock #CorporateCommunications #PublicRelations #ReputationManagement #CrisisComms #Leadership #BrandStrategy #ElitePower #SocialMediaDynamics #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast #OCRNetwork Communication Breakdown is a production of the Observatory on Corporate Reputation. Hosted by Craig Carroll and Steve Dowling. Produced by Shawn P Neal and the team at AdvoCast. For questions, feedback, or episode suggestions, reach out at podcast@ocrnetwork.com

    31 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Communication Breakdown is a postgame show for PR pros. In each episode, hosts Craig Carroll (fmr. USC Annenberg, UNC Chapel Hill) and Steve Dowling (fmr. OpenAI, Apple) discuss the strategies and tactics companies are using in high-visibility crises and PR initiatives, giving listeners unique insight into how key decisions are made. The podcast offers two unique perspectives on communications theory and practice, drawing on Craig’s teaching and research at top universities around the globe and Steve’s two decades of experience as a comms leader at some of the world’s most influential companies.  Whether you're a PR professional, marketing executive, or just curious about how companies make key communications decisions, you'll find these discussions insightful and valuable.

Information

  • Creator
    OCR
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright OCR
  • Show Website
    Communication Breakdown

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