Mr Beast is a huge influencer with a multi-million person audience and a multi-hundred million dollar revenue stream. Some of his teammates have allegedly behaved very poorly. What should he do to preserve his reputation and the upward swing of his YouTube channel?

Also

• An aerospace company stranded astronauts on the international space station
• A giant meat recall
• A antional sports team using drones to spy on competitiors
• A US presidential candidate plays a prank with dead wildlife

And

• Why is it called ‘The Crisis Beat’?
• Existential and espistemological musings about our different feeds and news sources creating two streams of truth; and the general believability of news

Join us for another exciting episode and don’t forget to subscribe!

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Welcome to Crisis Beat, Episode 22, Hosts Brady Wood, a business owner and PR professional, and Dr. Mark Crowther, Chair of Medicine at McMaster University, are back together after Mark’s recent adventures.

Main Topic: The Secret Service in the Spotlight

The episode delves into the ongoing controversy surrounding the U.S. Secret Service, particularly focusing on the Senate hearings involving Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.

Key Events:

• July 13: A Trump rally in Pennsylvania saw an assassination attempt by Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old. The Secret Service’s response, especially regarding the security of a building with a sloped roof, comes under intense scrutiny.
• July 22: Cheatle is subpoenaed to appear before the Senate. Key issues include her handling of the situation, the decision not to use a counter-sniper, and her statements about the sloped roof, which lacked clear policy support.
• July 23: Cheatle resigns amid growing criticism and calls for accountability.
• July 30: Acting Director Donald Rowe testifies, facing tough questions from Senator Josh Hawley about disciplinary actions and internal communication failures.

Breaking News Briefs:

• CrowdStrike Outage: Discussion on the recent widespread outage impacting critical systems, emphasizing the importance of proactive crisis management.
• Activist Targeting: Tips on how organizations can prepare for being targeted by activists.
• Food Recall Best Practices: Best practices for navigating recall communications.

Takeaways:

• Understanding and addressing issues in detail is crucial. If unsure, acknowledge it clearly.
• Accountability and transparency are key—avoid equivocation and be clear about processes and timelines.
• Leaders should demonstrate personal due diligence and make themselves available to address issues directly.

The episode wraps up with reflections on the importance of clear communication and accountability in crisis situations, and the need for robust response strategies in both internal and external crises.

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In the latest episode of Crisis Beat, hosts Brady Wood and Dr. Mark Crowther dive into a fascinating thought experiment that explores the idea of rebranding the Tyrannosaurus Rex’s public image. The episode begins with the hosts introducing themselves and giving shout-outs to their loyal listeners, setting a casual and engaging tone. They then quickly move through some breaking news stories, touching on topics like Jonathan Majors’ legal troubles, Elon Musk’s latest scientific feud, and the challenges facing Boeing’s new CEO. These updates serve as a warm-up to the main event, which is both unexpected and intriguing: how to reshape the public narrative of one of history’s most famous dinosaurs.

The heart of the episode is a creative exploration of how the T. Rex, typically seen as the ultimate predator, could be portrayed in a new light. Brady and Mark discuss how the T. Rex's image could be softened by focusing on its potential parental behaviors and ecological significance, moving away from its fearsome reputation. They propose a multifaceted strategy that includes educational campaigns, media partnerships, and interactive experiences to highlight these lesser-known aspects of the T. Rex. The idea is to shift public perception from seeing the T. Rex solely as a ruthless carnivore to appreciating its complex role in the prehistoric ecosystem.

To add depth to their discussion, the hosts also touch on Marshall Ganz’s framework for public narrative, explaining how storytelling can be used to inspire change. They break down the components of Ganz’s approach—Story of Self, Story of Us, and Story of Now—and discuss how these elements could be employed in rebranding efforts not just for the T. Rex, but for any entity facing a crisis in public perception. By the end of the episode, listeners are left with a fresh perspective on how narratives are constructed and the power they hold in shaping public opinion.

Crisis Beat closes with Brady and Mark reflecting on the broader implications of their thought experiment, suggesting that the lessons learned from reimagining the T. Rex’s image could be applied to real-world public relations challenges. Their conversation is a reminder of the importance of narrative in defining how we understand the world around us, whether it’s the story of a prehistoric predator or a modern-day corporation.

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Welcome to the latest compelling episode of Crisis Beat! Join hosts Brady Wood and Dr. Mark Crowther as they delve into the most recent and intriguing stories in crisis communications and public relations.

Hosts Introduction

• Brady Wood: Business owner and public relations professional.
• Dr. Mark Crowther: Chair of Medicine at McMaster University.

Main Event: Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar

Drake: A Global Superstar Under Fire

• Accomplishments: Drake is one of the world's best-selling music artists, with over 170 million records sold, numerous awards including five Grammys, and 13 number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
• Feud Background: The beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar dates back years, with Kendrick winning a Pulitzer for his album 'Damn'.
• Controversial Claims: Kendrick Lamar's songs accuse Drake of being a 'pedophile,' cultural appropriation, and colonization, with references to Drake's controversial friendship with Millie Bobby Brown and other concerning details.
• Current Struggles: Drake's personal and business life is under scrutiny, from security concerns to multiple company ventures and issues with corporate lobbying.

Other Updates

Airlines Under Fire

• Air Canada’s Cultural Insensitivity: Backlash for mishandling the traditional headdress of a Chief of the National Assembly of First Nations.
• Boeing’s Quality Control Issues: A door panel fell off an Alaskan Airlines flight, raising deeper concerns about Boeing's safety standards and the mysterious deaths of whistleblowers.

Corporate Apologies and Controversies

• Apple Apologizes: Addressing a misstep in their advertising campaign.
• Panera Bread: Phasing out their controversial caffeinated lemonade linked to two deaths.
• Bumble’s Advertising Blunder: Another company apologizing for a poorly received ad campaign.

Political Communications

• Kristi Noem’s Downfall: Analyzing why some political figures fail to maintain public trust despite bold, often false statements.
• RFK Jr.’s Shocking Admission: Revealing a parasitic worm ate part of his brain, sparking discussions on health and credibility.

Breaking News Briefs

• Harvard’s New Measures: Introducing checks and balances in public statements.
• Satire on Harvard’s New Comms Director: Highlighting the lighter side of serious institutions.

Why You Can't Miss This Episode:

• In-Depth Analysis: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the latest crises in various high-profile sectors.
• Expert Commentary: Listen to expert breakdowns on how these entities are managing—or failing to manage—their public relations challenges.
• Engaging and Informative: Stay informed with engaging stories that offer both serious insights and lighter cultural notes.

• AND... learn more about Mark's love of Electronic Dance Music (EDM), in particular Deadmaus :)

Tune in now for an episode packed with drama, expert analysis, and the practical tools you need to navigate the complex world of crisis communications. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from the latest high-stakes situations in business and public life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the latest grrrrrreat episode of Crisis Beat! Join hosts Brady Wood and Dr. Mark Crowther as they tackle the most recent and riveting stories in crisis communications and public relations.

Hosts Introduction

• Brady Wood: Business owner and public relations professional.
• Dr. Mark Crowther: Chair of Medicine at McMaster University.

Episode Focus

• Examining the "Stick the Landing" theory of public relations.
• Analyzing how public perception and media portrayal affect stock performance, using Meta and Tesla as case studies.

In This Episode:

Airlines Under Fire

• Air Canada’s Cultural Insensitivity: Discover the backlash Air Canada faced for mishandling the traditional headdress of a Chief of the National Assembly of First Nations.
• Boeing’s Quality Control Nightmare: Dive into the details of a Boeing door panel falling off an Alaskan Airlines flight and the deeper issues of quality control at Boeing.
• Whistleblower Tragedies: Uncover the mysterious deaths of Boeing whistleblowers and the dark theories surrounding their potential murders.

Hospital Crisis

• Vancouver Island Health Authority: Learn about the shocking cockroach infestation at a hospital under the Vancouver Island Health Authority and how it’s being handled.

Royal Family Insights

• Health Crises: Understand how the Royal Family is managing the recent illnesses of public leaders.
• Fashion Highlight: A lighter note on why Prince Charles is being celebrated as one of the best dressed in public life.

Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg Showdown

• MMA Match in Rome?: Hear about the surprising plans for an MMA match between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg at the Colosseum in Rome.
• Tesla’s Financial Turbulence: Analyze the criticism Tesla faced during its investor call about earnings and how Elon Musk pivoted to address the concerns.
• Meta’s Bullish Outlook: Contrast the bearish narrative on Tesla with the bullish analysis on Meta, highlighting the boost in Mark Zuckerberg’s image and profile.
• Tesla’s PR Woes: Discuss the implications of Tesla firing its PR team and operating without a dedicated public relations department.

Why You Can't Miss This Episode:

• In-Depth Analysis: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the latest crises in various high-profile sectors.
• Expert Commentary: Listen to expert breakdowns on how these entities are managing—or failing to manage—their public relations challenges.
• Engaging and Informative: Stay informed with engaging stories that offer both serious insights and lighter cultural notes.

Tune in now for an episode packed with drama, expert analysis, and the practical tools you need to navigate the complex world of crisis communications. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from the latest high-stakes situations in business and public life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the latest electrifying episode of Crisis Beat! This week, hosts Brady Wood and Dr. Mark Crowther dive deep into two of the most compelling stories in the world of public relations and business.

Featuring:

Dr. Andrew Huberman: The Neuroscientist Under Fire

• Discover the story of Dr. Andrew Huberman, a renowned Stanford neuroscientist and wellness influencer.
• Unpack the allegations of dishonesty and personal controversy that have shaken his massive following.
• Get the inside scoop on how Huberman’s crisis management strategies might save or sink his public image.
• Explore the balance between personal integrity and professional credibility in today’s media landscape.

Canoo: The EV Company’s Turbulent Ride

• Delve into the financial rollercoaster of Canoo, the ambitious electric vehicle startup.
• Learn about the eyebrow-raising $1.7 million CEO spending spree on private jets, amidst staggering losses.
• Understand the challenges of the EV market slowdown and investor scrutiny.
• Hear expert analysis on what Canoo must do to turn the tide and win back investor confidence.

Plus:

Air Canada: Discover why Air Canada has mysteriously disappeared from the headlines, possibly heeding advice from previous episodes.

Southwest Airlines: Get the latest on Southwest's emergency landing in Denver after an engine part fell off a Boeing 737, and what it means for airline safety.

Tesla: Understand the implications of Tesla eliminating its PR department and how CEO Elon Musk's social media communications are shaping the company's public image.

Why You Can’t Miss This Episode:

• Actionable Insights: Get practical tips on avoiding PR disasters from industry experts.
• Real-World Analysis: Understand how high-profile figures and companies manage—or mismanage—public crises.
• Engaging Stories: Dive into the human side of business controversies, from personal betrayals to corporate excess.

Tune in now for an episode packed with drama, insights, and the tools you need to navigate your own crisis communications! Don't miss out on this chance to learn from the high-stakes world of public relations.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey Now!

In this Episode of The Crisis Beat, Brady and Mark again explore who can defy communications gravity.

Kate Middleton's seeming disappearance caused a great deal of upset and speculation metastasizing into conspiracy theory, briefly dominating the news and social media sphere cycles. Tempest in a teapot? Kate recently cleared up all the fuss quite effectively by releasing a 'cover all' video explaining the circumstances of her cancer diagnosis, and what comes next. We parse the issues and review what led to a communications mess, and what went extremely well in this recent clean-up effort. We also review analysis of the issue by other PR experts like Drs. Terry Flynn and Alexandre Sévigny, as well as Molly McPherson.

In other Royal Family news, The Netflix product 'Scoop' starring Gillian Anderson about Prince Andrew's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein will also look at how 'The Firm' (mis)handles a previous crisis. We also discuss the HBO show Succession.

Other things we touch on this week:

The finding that Amazon's AI store checkout was actually manned by humans in India reviewing the camera feeds.

An update on the recent story Instagram enables exploitation of child influencers, attracting pedophiles.

An incident where a woman lost her Planet Fitness membership for filming a trans woman getting dressed in the changeroom.

More updates on the Airlines - United and Alaskan airlines have differing reputation results handling safety issues; Boeing quality issues continue.

We also discuss Quebec Hospital where woman gave birth outside because security wouldn't open a locked door, and Brady's similar experience running communications on an incident at a hospital where a woman fell in the lobby and the staff from Emergency said something to the effect of 'you'll need to call an ambulance.'

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Episode 16 - Get the Lead Out

Heavy metal episode: Stanley Mugs and Baby Food contain concerning contamination

We thought we were well past lead poisoning in the North American food supply, but there are still holes in our quality controls. Baby food and Stanley mugs are the culprits. In this episode we explore what offending organizations could do to recover trust.

Other news and topics covered:

• Elon Musk sues OpenAI
• Harvard Business School and DEI
• Media Bias
• Airlines continue to be in the news for safety and quality control issues
• The “Dude Chill” approach to crisis communications
• The "Mind Bomb" concept from Dr. Terry Flynn
• Two members of the Royal Family withdraw from family life

And...the Word of the Day was Renumerative versus Remunerative...

Tune in next time for Episode 17 where we pick up where we left off re: how Kate Middleton disappearing from public life created a communications catastrophe.

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