The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

279: How Travis Kelce’s PR Team Turned A Fake Breakup Into A Win


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In this episode of The PR Breakdown, we'll delve into the fascinating world of celebrity PR and dissect one of the most strategic PR moves we've seen lately: the rumored breakup between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. However, as Molly suggests, things may not be as they seem.

Key Points Covered:

  • The Rumored Breakup: Before the Kansas City Chiefs season opener, rumors swirled about a leaked breakup contract between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. But Molly takes a closer look, questioning the timing and the authenticity of the supposed "leak."
  • PR Trial Balloon: Molly explains the concept of a PR trial balloon, theorizing that Kelce’s PR team orchestrated this fake breakup to gauge public reaction and generate media attention. By doing so, they secured a strategic win for Kelce's brand, the NFL, and Taylor Swift.
  • Social Media's Role: How platforms like TikTok fueled the fire, and how Swifties, known for their loyalty and passionate defense of Taylor, reacted to the news.
  • Behind the Scenes: Molly shares her personal experience of how she first heard about the breakup and her initial thoughts that this PR move had all the hallmarks of a carefully crafted stunt.
  • The PR Firm's Role: With insights into Fullscope PR, the agency handling Kelce’s public relations, Molly explores their history of crafting headlines and how the agency's co-founders may have leveraged this situation to keep their client front and center.
  • Impact on Icon Status: Molly discusses how PR isn't just about fame or money, it's about controlling the narrative and managing reputation—particularly for someone like Taylor Swift, who aims for iconic status.
  • What We Can Learn: The episode wraps up with Molly’s key takeaways on how a well-timed, well-executed PR strategy can turn a potential crisis into an opportunity.

Mentioned in the episode: How Travis Kelce’s PR Team Turned A Fake Breakup Into A Win (Forbes.com)

Next Week’s Episode: Tune in next week as Molly breaks down the Kate Middleton health update video from Kensington Palace, another example of how PR strategies shape what we see in the media.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe,

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