The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

• 298: 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 episode also covers various manipulative tactics seen in these cases and provides advice on recognizing and dealing with power imbalances in personal and professional relationships.Join Molly on Substack for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive weekly live sessions! 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. Her high-energy keynotes blend edge-of-your-seat PR war stories with actionable communication strategies that resonate with leaders, communicators, and teams alike. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow Molly for daily updates and more PR insights: TikTok: @mollybmcpherson Substack: https://prbreakdown.substack.com/ Connect with Molly: pillar.io/mollymcpherson © 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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• 297: 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 suggest a calculated effort to maintain narrative control despite growing controversyBlake Lively's position within her high-profile marriage comes under scrutiny as allegations of control and influence surfaceJustin Baldoni emerges as an unlikely hero in this David vs. Goliath narrative, potentially transforming his career through the controversyParallels emerge between this real-world drama and themes from Colleen Hoover's fictional works, particularly regarding domestic dynamicsThe implications of this scandal promise to reshape Hollywood's power structure and how celebrity PR crises are managed going forwardJoin Molly on Substack for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive weekly live sessions! 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. Her high-energy keynotes blend edge-of-your-seat PR war stories with actionable communication strategies that resonate with leaders, communicators, and teams alike. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow Molly for daily updates and more PR insights: TikTok: @mollybmcpherson Substack: https://prbreakdown.substack.com/ Connect with Molly: pillar.io/mollymcpherson © 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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• 296: 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 plenty to dissect when it comes to the risks of divisive messaging.Let's also get into the visuals—like Melania’s now-iconic hat and the up-close, tightly framed setting that gave the event a different vibe. Add in some eyebrow-raising claims (hello, "Manifest Destiny" and renaming the Gulf of Mexico), and we’ve got a lot to unpack about how these choices shape public perception. Love him or hate him, this address is full of lessons for anyone working to craft messages that stick. Let’s get into it!Join Molly on Substack for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive weekly live sessions! 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. Her high-energy keynotes blend edge-of-your-seat PR war stories with actionable communication strategies that resonate with leaders, communicators, and teams alike. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow Molly for daily updates and more PR insights: TikTok: @mollybmcpherson Substack: https://prbreakdown.substack.com/ Connect with Molly: pillar.io/mollymcpherson © 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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• 295: L.A. Mayor Karen Bass is Bad in a Crisis. Here's Why

  The episode examines the mismanagement of communication during the recent LA wildfires, focusing on Mayor Karen Bass's absence during the crisis and the subsequent erosion of public trust. Key lessons in crisis communication emphasize the need for transparency, empathy, and accountability from leaders facing critical situations. • Analysis of Mayor Bass's timeline during the wildfires • Discussion on the impact of her international travel • Examination of communication failures and trust erosion • Connection made between budget cuts and fire response • Overview of public reactions and online petitions for resignation • Key lessons for leaders in crisis communication • Importance of empathy and transparency in restoring trustJoin Molly on Substack for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive weekly live sessions! 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. Her high-energy keynotes blend edge-of-your-seat PR war stories with actionable communication strategies that resonate with leaders, communicators, and teams alike. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow Molly for daily updates and more PR insights: TikTok: @mollybmcpherson Substack: https://prbreakdown.substack.com/ Connect with Molly: pillar.io/mollymcpherson © 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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• 294: Behind the Spin: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and the High-Stakes PR Showdown

  Amid the glamorous yet ruthless world of Hollywood, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni find themselves embroiled in a high-profile legal battle stemming from the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, “It Ends With Us.” The episode explores the tangled web of celebrity relations, PR strategies, and serious allegations of misconduct that threaten to overshadow their professional endeavors and alter the public's perception of both stars.• Overview of the legal feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni• The role of social media in shaping public opinion• Ryan Reynolds’ impactful presence in the narrative• Analysis of the sexual harassment claims made by Lively • Discussion on PR tactics and their ethical implications• The fallout from the New York Times article detailing the smear campaign• Exploring themes of power dynamics and accountability in Hollywood• Reflection on whether lawsuits can salvage deteriorating reputationsDo you think lawsuits solve reputation problems? Will the reputation problems of Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively be solved by these lawsuits, or do they just pour gasoline on the fire?Join Molly on Substack for even deeper dives into celebrity PR strategies and exclusive weekly live sessions! 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. Her high-energy keynotes blend edge-of-your-seat PR war stories with actionable communication strategies that resonate with leaders, communicators, and teams alike. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow Molly for daily updates and more PR insights: TikTok: @mollybmcpherson Substack: https://prbreakdown.substack.com/ Connect with Molly: pillar.io/mollymcpherson © 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

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