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What if instead of being on the brink of disaster, we’re on the cusp of a better world? No one can deny the challenges the world faces, from pandemics to climate change to authoritarianism. But pessimism and despair are too easy a response. Each week, Progress Network Founder Zachary Karabell and Executive Director Emma Varvaloucas convene a diverse panel of experts to discuss the central issues of our era, including sustainability, polarization, work, and the economy, and make the case for ...
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After NPR called me to weigh in on the Coldplay concert scandal and Astronomer’s new viral ad starring Gwyneth Paltrow, a listener to the time to email to call me a “fussbucket.”
You know what? I’ll take it.
Because here’s the thing: clever marketing isn’t a substitute for accountability. In this epsiode ofThe PR Breakdown, I explain why Astronomer’s ad (produced by Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and fronted by Gwyneth Paltrow) is a classic case of PR deflection wrapped in celebrity glitter.
This episode unpacks:
- Why the real problem was never the kiss—it was the CEO-HR power dynamic
- The danger of turning ethical breaches into punchlines
- How Maximum Effort’s fastvertising campaign misread the assignment
- What leadership accountability actually sounds like (hint: not “we’ve become a household name”)
Want to learn what separates a temporary distraction from a lasting reputation hit? This episode is for you.
Mentioned in the episode:
- "5 PR Lessons from the Coldplay Concert That Took Down a CEO" - Molly McPherson, Substack (July, 23, 2025)
- "The Coldplay Concert Scandal That Took Down a CEO" - PR Breakdown podcast (July 23, 2025)
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.
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Chapters
1. Gwyneth Enters the Astronomer Crisis (00:00:00)
2. The Viral Ad and PR Deflection (00:01:40)
3. Questioning the Crisis Management Strategy (00:04:38)
4. Maximum Effort's Fast-vertising Playbook (00:05:54)
5. When PR Deflection Works and Fails (00:10:49)
6. Leadership Lessons from Astronomer's Approach (00:15:40)
7. Closing Thoughts on Crisis Strategy (00:20:26)
345 episodes
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