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The Reputation Cliff: Why Some Celebrities Never Recover: Featuring the Sean Combs Trial and My NBC News Interview
Manage episode 484057242 series 2861141
This episode examines the sharp edge of celebrity scandal and why some reputations teeter over the cliff while others, against the odds, manage a comeback. With Sean Combs (Diddy) serving as the case study, this episode reveals PR moves public figure make when they are close to the edge of the “reputation cliff.”
Comparing a trio of notorious comebacks and collapses—Robert Downey Jr., Tiger Woods, Ellen DeGeneres—the episode shares how two made it through the crisis while one fell victim to it.
In this episode:
- The three signals a brand or person is beyond repair
- Why apologies and silence aren’t equal
- The harsh truth about when it's too little, too late.
Sources:
- How allegations can impact Combs' Reputation, NBC News, May 14, 2025
- Brands! Take a Stand! But Do So With Caution, You.Gov, Deepa Bhatia - December 18th, 2018
- Poll: Tiger Woods Hits a Record Low, NY Post, 2009
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 Molly → @MollyMcPherson
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.
Follow & Connect with Molly:
- https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
- https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
- https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollymcpherson/
© 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson
Chapters
1. Celebrity Scandals: Who Survives? (00:00:00)
2. The Reputation Cliff Explained (00:01:25)
3. Recovery Stories: RDJ and Tiger Woods (00:02:56)
4. Ellen's Fatal Mistake (00:05:32)
5. Sean Combs: Brand in Freefall (00:07:31)
6. Trust, Values and Crisis Response (00:12:37)
7. Episode Wrap and Resources (00:13:10)
322 episodes
Manage episode 484057242 series 2861141
This episode examines the sharp edge of celebrity scandal and why some reputations teeter over the cliff while others, against the odds, manage a comeback. With Sean Combs (Diddy) serving as the case study, this episode reveals PR moves public figure make when they are close to the edge of the “reputation cliff.”
Comparing a trio of notorious comebacks and collapses—Robert Downey Jr., Tiger Woods, Ellen DeGeneres—the episode shares how two made it through the crisis while one fell victim to it.
In this episode:
- The three signals a brand or person is beyond repair
- Why apologies and silence aren’t equal
- The harsh truth about when it's too little, too late.
Sources:
- How allegations can impact Combs' Reputation, NBC News, May 14, 2025
- Brands! Take a Stand! But Do So With Caution, You.Gov, Deepa Bhatia - December 18th, 2018
- Poll: Tiger Woods Hits a Record Low, NY Post, 2009
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 Molly → @MollyMcPherson
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.
Follow & Connect with Molly:
- https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
- https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
- https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollymcpherson/
© 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson
Chapters
1. Celebrity Scandals: Who Survives? (00:00:00)
2. The Reputation Cliff Explained (00:01:25)
3. Recovery Stories: RDJ and Tiger Woods (00:02:56)
4. Ellen's Fatal Mistake (00:05:32)
5. Sean Combs: Brand in Freefall (00:07:31)
6. Trust, Values and Crisis Response (00:12:37)
7. Episode Wrap and Resources (00:13:10)
322 episodes
All episodes
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