Journalist and host of the Infamous podcastt, Vanessa Grigoriadis joins Molly as they dive deep into the life, career, and public image of global pop star, Taylor Swift. Vanessa profiled Taylor Swift for Rolling Stone in 2009 right after the release of her second album, “Fearless.” Since then she has been following Taylor from country pop-start to a dominated figure in our culture. 

In this episode of the "Allegedly" series, Vanessa and Molly discuss Taylor’s PR from her early days of running her own Myspace to her and Travis Kelce’s full-on PR push, this episode has no blank spaces. 

Links:

Follow Vanessa Grigoriadis:

https://twitter.com/vanessagrigor

Vanessa’s Rolling Stone Profile on Taylor Swift:

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/the-very-pink-very-perfect-life-of-taylor-swift-107451/

Vanessa’s Podcast: Infamous:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/infamous/id1652941051

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.

Follow me on Substack → Molly McPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting.

Want more PR + Crisis Management insights?

• Watch Molly's videos and weekly livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• Work with Molly: https://www.mollymcpherson.com/

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• ...

This is the inaugural episode of the Indestructible PR podcast series called, Allegedly. In this series, I take a critical look at the PR moves, media narratives, and survival tactics that celebrities use to circumvent a PR nightmare.

On my very first episode of the Allegedly series, we are talking all about Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. From red-carpet appearances to playing the supporting role in each new venture, we break down the calculated decisions that the couple is making behind the scenes to *allegedly* keep up appearances. Joining me in this episode is relationship psychologist Dr. Abby Metcalf who might be able to offer some insight on where Bennifer 2.0 may be headed.

Mentioned in this episode:
A Quote from Ben Affleck's Howard Stern Show Interview (2021)
https://www.tmz.com/2021/12/15/ben-affleck-drinking-blame-jennifer-garner-trapped-marriage/

Ben Affleck's "addressing" his interview on The Howard Stern Show.   
https://youtu.be/g2KKhmgelEw

Abby's podcast, Relationships Made Easy can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relationships-made-easy/id1406061656?mt=2

Learn more about Abby:
https://abbymedcalf.com/

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.

Follow me on Substack → Molly McPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting.

Want more PR + Crisis Management insights?

• Watch Molly's videos and weekly livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• Work with Molly: https://www.mollymcpherson.com/

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• ...

An episode about the profession of public relations for the practitioners who make it one of the most exciting fields to work in. In this episode, a discussion about the future of the public relations industry with Michelle Egan, APR, Fellow PRSA, and Immediate Past Chair of PRSA. Boasting over three decades of communication experience, Michelle brings a substantial depth of understanding to the evolving PR landscape.

Our conversation covers the significant changes currently shaping the industry, delves into the critical role of PRSA in steering professionals through these dynamic times, and examines the strategic plans that are charting the path forward. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone in the field of public relations, from those just starting their journey to seasoned veterans. Join us as we explore the future of PR, discussing how to effectively navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities within this ever-changing industry.

Learn more about the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the nation's leading professional organization serving the communications community.

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.

Follow me on Substack → Molly McPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting.

Want more PR + Crisis Management insights?

• Watch Molly's videos and weekly livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• Work with Molly: https://www.mollymcpherson.com/

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• ...

First episode for 2024! 

Hey there, PR pros and dedicated listeners! You won't want to miss this special episode where I dive deep into the year that left jaws on the floor with never-ending celebrity drama and crisis. Let's hit the rewind button and explore the twists and turns of 2023's scandalous celeb behavior that kept publicists on their toes and the rest of us following along closely. 

Here are your top five most popular episodes of the year. (Thank you, listeners!)

Top Five Episodes:

• Episode 1: This episode was a favorite of mine as well. 
• Episode 2: All aboard. 
• Episode 3: Dissecting the PR Relationship Rumors
• Episode 4: Apologies, denials, and online disasters.
• Episode 5: An end-of-year favorite with two of my favorite media guys. 

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.

Follow me on Substack → Molly McPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting.

Want more PR + Crisis Management insights?

• Watch Molly's videos and weekly livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• Work with Molly: https://www.mollymcpherson.com/

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• ...

Let's go behind the scenes of broadcast television, where a former producer joins us to reveal the tricks of the trade. Our guest David McAlpine takes us inside the world of anchors, reporters, producers, and bookers to find out what it takes to be a successful guest on television. Learn how to present yourself confidently and effectively on air so that the reporter doesn't get the upper hand. 

Also, analyzing and giving feedback on an interview with a CEO at the center of one of the most significant PR brand crises in history. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to master media interaction and shine in the spotlight.

Key Takeaways:

1. 1. Mastering Media Preparation: Learn the essential strategies for prepping for media appearances. From crafting your story to adeptly navigating surprise questions, we'll guide you through the steps to confidently handle media engagements.
   2. Navigating Interview Dynamics: Uncover the typical challenges encountered in interviews and how to effectively address them. We'll delve into the dynamics between interviewers and their subjects, offering advice on establishing a strong connection and keeping your cool in high-pressure situations.
   3. Dressing Right for Media Engagements: Get valuable tips on selecting the perfect outfit for different media settings. We'll discuss the art of creating a television-friendly appearance and the significance of leaving a lasting positive impression on your hosts.

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.

Follow me on Substack → Molly McPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting.

Want more PR + Crisis Management insights?

• Watch Molly's videos and weekly livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• Work with Molly: https://www.mollymcpherson.com/

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/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.

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.

Follow me on Substack → Molly McPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting.

Want more PR + Crisis Management insights?

• Watch Molly's videos and weekly livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• Work with Molly: https://www.mollymcpherson.com/

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• ...

The Chicago Blackhawks are in the process of terminating Corey Perry's contract due to unacceptable conduct, as part of addressing broader questions about the organization's culture. This episode examines their approach to managing rumors and controversies, particularly those related to personal conduct. It highlights the importance of developing clear, timely, and empathetic communication strategies to uphold an organization's reputation. The episode analyzes Corey Perry's specific case to illustrate effective crisis management and consistent messaging, emphasizing the need for accountability and empathy. The focus is on balancing transparency with privacy and dignity in professional settings, offering insights into handling such sensitive situations in the field of crisis communication.

Mentioned in the episode: Become a member of the PR Confidential community on Patreon to access exclusive content, including a downloadable guide and bonus podcast on How to Communicate Private News from Your Organization While Protecting Sensitive Information. This resource focuses on navigating the delicate balance between transparency and confidentiality in organizational communication.

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.

Follow me on Substack → Molly McPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting.

Want more PR + Crisis Management insights?

• Watch Molly's videos and weekly livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• Work with Molly: https://www.mollymcpherson.com/

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• ...

Apologies, denials, and online disasters. Molly is breaking down the Matt Rife and Colleen Ballinger PR crisis. 

This episode is all about perception management. As soon as the backlash starts, every subsequent step needs to be calculated. Often, this fine line between apology and denial can alter reputations and determine careers' trajectory in a blink. 

These three key takeaways:

1. Exploring the anatomy of an apology, and what happens when it's done wrong, using Colleen Ballinger as our case study. Molly discusses how her previous behavior led to a backlash, how she responded to it, and how effective (or not) her response was.
   
2. Looking at "Bro humor" with Matt Rife. Molly dissects how he handled the backlash towards a controversial joke he threw out there and the marketing tactics he's using to survive it.

3. Understanding the differences in their responses - from Ballinger's rebranding strategy to Rife's doubling down. Who’s approach will work in the long run? There are predictions to be made and lessons to be learned. 

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.

Follow me on Substack → Molly McPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting.

Want more PR + Crisis Management insights?

• Watch Molly's videos and weekly livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• Work with Molly: https://www.mollymcpherson.com/

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• ...

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce: Dissecting the PR Relationship Rumors explores the theory that their relationship might be a strategic PR move (or not) by comparing it with previous relationships Swift has had, and discusses the mutual benefits and implications for both their careers.

The episode also explores: 

1. The fascinating nature of PR relationships and how they serve as strategic moves in the celebrity world. Ever wondered why certain celeb relationships seem to pop up out of nowhere? Now you'll have an idea. 

2. The NFL's attempts to woo the female demographic. Can a high-profile romantic link-up between Taylor Swift and a football star actually make the sport more attractive to women? It's a big question and this episode has  a unique perspective.

3. Finally, after all the questions, comments, and dragging - is Taylor's relationship with Travis Kelce genuine, timed for maximum publicity, or just a clever strategic move to further their brands and divert media attention?

In my PR Confidential Patreon page: BONUS: Decoding the PR Dynamics: Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and the Rio Tragedy.

Episodes mentioned:
267: Blind Gossip: PR Trick or Truth? With guest, TikTok's Kyle Marisa Roth
263: Celebrity Unplugged: Magazine Writer Vanessa Grigoriadis on Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, & Justin Timberlake

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.

Follow me on Substack → Molly McPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting.

Want more PR + Crisis Management insights?

• Watch Molly's videos and weekly livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• Work with Molly: https://www.mollymcpherson.com/

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• ...

Let's dive deep into the deceptive world of celebrity PR strategies, anonymous gossip, with special guest, the fascinating and hugely entertaining Kyle Marisa Roth- one of TikTok's favorite Blind Gossip creators.

Here are three things you can look forward to learning from this episode:

1. We're unraveling the mysteries of 'Blind Items', tackling how to verify and report on unconfirmed gossip, and exploring their influence on celebrity PR. As Kyle delves into her unique process, you'll pick up savvy techniques - who knows, you might even find yourself starting your own gossip investigations!

2. We're pulling back the curtain on celebrity PR relationships, examining real and fabricated relationships, and discussing how fan base dynamics can motivate business maneuvers. With insider insights from Kyle, you're about to know the PR game better than you ever imagined.

3. We're decoding the codes of celebritydom - from the PR strategies employed by big names like Sophie Turner and Taylor Swift to a surprising analysis of the NFL's marketing moves. Prepare to have your perspective on celebrity culture flipped upside down!

Behind the Headlines, the biggest takeaway from this episode: The world of public relations - be it for celebrities, sports leagues, or brands - is a lot murkier and more nuanced than it may seem. It's not just about the gossip or the headlines, but about the underlying narratives being woven and the chess pieces being moved to protect images, orchestrate outcomes, and ultimately sway public opinion.

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.

Follow me on Substack → Molly McPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting.

Want more PR + Crisis Management insights?

• Watch Molly's videos and weekly livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
• Work with Molly: https://www.mollymcpherson.com/

Follow & Connect with Molly:

• https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
• https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
• ...